After decades downtown, this ‘off and on’ Boise cafe has closed permanently
When COVID battered the restaurant industry five years ago, Boise staple Zeppole Baking Co. experienced different repercussions at its two cafes.
The Apple Street location endured a short-term dip before returning to something resembling normalcy, co-owner Charles Alpers remembers.
But with many downtown employees working from home, Zeppole Cafe & Espresso Bar at 217 N. 8th St. “really got hurt,” he said.
The wound never healed entirely. Staffing issues and inconsistent operating hours became challenges. In 2023-2024, the cafe closed temporarily for months.
“We were off and on with that store,” Alpers said.
Now it’s off — permanently.
‘A good business decision’
A downtown fixture for decades, Zeppole has shuttered. The last day was Feb. 21.
Frozen treats chain The STIL plans to take over the narrow space this summer with a new, smaller version of its ice cream concept — The STILetto.
Zeppole’s cafe at 2345 S. Apple St. is “booming now,” Alpers said. And wholesale business from the brand’s 7,000-square-foot commercial bakery off Federal Way accounts for more than 70 percent of sales.
The time seemed right to exit downtown.
“We were just kind of maintaining down there,” he said in a phone interview, “whereas Apple just keeps growing, wholesale just keeps growing. I think it was a good business decision.”
Zeppole at The STILetto
In good news for Zeppole fans downtown, customers probably will continue to notice its presence after The STILetto — a walk-in, walk-out concept — makes its debut. Although it might not happen immediately, the hope is to offer grab-and-go items such as sandwiches and salads, said Kasey Allen, co-owner of The STIL.
“We’re working on incorporating some of Zeppole’s products into the model,” Allen said.
Added Alpers: “We’re excited about it.”
Hungry for Zeppole right now downtown? Its food already is sold at JD’s Bodega, 161 N. Capitol Blvd.
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM.