Not ‘fully on board,’ well-known restaurant to close in Boise food hall. Two more to open
Paddles Up Poke’s five locations leave little doubt that its owner is a shrewd businessman.
But Dan Landucci threw his hat into the ring at the Warehouse Food Hall for personal reasons, too.
He was attracted to the overall concept — “the idea,” admitted Landucci, who became a tenant in September 2022.
But after a final day Saturday, Paddles Up will close at the Warehouse, 370 S. 8th St., a few months earlier than originally contracted, he said.
“I figured I’d give it a shot, see if we liked it,” Landucci said.
“I don’t regret it,” he added. “It was a cool experience.”
The Paddles Up space won’t be dark for long. It will become the third location for Poppy Seed Bakery and Cafe, co-owner Leanne Meade said. Poppy Seed already has a shop at 3910 W. Hill Road and a campus operation at Boise State’s Micron Business and Economics Building.
“We’re very excited,” Meade said. “Can’t wait.”
Poppy Seed Bakery is one of two new vendors slated to open this summer, according to a media release from food hall operator Geronimo Hospitality Group.
Another Warehouse Food Hall vacancy — formerly Piedaho — will be transformed into the first brick-and-mortar outfit for Foy’s Franks, previously a hot dog cart.
Poppy Seed will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner options “ranging from scones and cinnamon rolls to sandwiches and soups,” according to the release. Foy’s Franks “is pushing the boundaries on the American classic hot dog with its inventive menu featuring a selection of hot dogs, German sausages, chorizo dogs, corn dogs, mac and cheese, tater tots and more.”
The vendors join an array of food options ranging from Anzalone Pizza and Freshie’s Lobster Co. to Neighbor Tim’s BBQ and Waffle Love.
Opened in summer 2022, the Warehouse Food Hall is “ever-changing,” General Manager Robert Rourk said in the release. “These new spots bring fresh flavors and options, giving our guests even more delicious decisions to make when they visit.”
Change is a regular occurrence for Paddles Up Poke, too. Since opening its original downtown Boise location in 2017 at 237 N. 9th St., the Treasure Valley brand has grown steadily. An Eagle restaurant is coming this spring. Out-of-state franchising is in the works.
Paddles Up’s Warehouse Food Hall store “did well,” Landucci said, “even better than we expected it to do with the downtown store being less than a mile away. I was a little nervous about that.”
Yet for a few reasons, Landucci said, it wasn’t a partnership he wanted to continue. The main issue? None of the other Paddles Up restaurants are open Sundays. Or past 8 p.m. any day.
“We weren’t fully on board with the Sundays and the late hours,” Landucci said. “It’s really just the Sunday that throws our staff off.
“Hopefully,” he added, Poppy Seed Bakery will “crush it.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 4:00 AM.