‘Barely hanging on,’ this restaurant asked Boise for ‘love.’ Now it’s closing
Wepa Cafe owner Art Robinson gave it all he had.
Following his dream, he enthusiastically opened Idaho’s first Puerto Rican restaurant in 2021 — at 175 E. 35th St. in Garden City. The place was “killin’ it,” he told the Statesman shortly thereafter.
After business had plummeted three years later, he spoke candidly about Wepa Cafe “barely hanging on.” He had dug into his retirement account to “keep the place alive,” he told the Statesman in a story about Boise-area restaurants hoping for more support. “Just a little local love,” Robinson said, “and I think a lot of these places, not just me, can thrive.”
Robinson even expanded Wepa’s menu to include Latin American cuisine from Cuba, Peru and Colombia — rebranding the restaurant as Wepa Latin American Cuisine. That was weeks ago.
But it wasn’t enough.
After “nearly four incredible years,” Robinson wrote on the restaurant’s social media Thursday, Wepa will close July 26.
“The journey started back in 2018 with an idea and (an 89-cent) notebook,” Robinson posted. “It’s been an incredible journey and evolved far beyond its original genesis! It has brought me exponentially more than what I put into it. I have memories, experiences and new friends (nay, family) that I will always cherish. ... From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
“... While I’m still figuring out what’s next, Wepa will be available for sale. If you — or someone you know — is looking for an incredible opportunity to be part of Garden City’s future, please reach out.”
Fittingly, Robinson is going out the way he came in — filled with passion and love for his food and customers.
“I invite you to visit us before we say farewell,” he wrote. “As many of you know, ‘Wepa’ is a joyful Puerto Rican shout of celebration. So today, with deep gratitude and pride, I say to each of you — thank you, and a heartfelt… WEPA!!!”
