02/21/2025
On October 22, 2018, we had the great honor of hosting some of the most amazing customers in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Many would agree that we served some of the most authentic Italian Beef and big-city classics Cedar Rapids had ever seen. We opened with a vision to expand throughout the Midwest, hoping to introduce the state of Iowa and the surrounding areas to this niche market, all in honor of a beautiful little girl who was taken too soon.
Since 2020, we have experienced tremendous hurdles, like so many other local businesses, near and far. We kept pushing, hoping things would get back to normal in the downtown area and the overall economy. The major companies that Gianna’s was built around and depended on either moved out or reduced their office hours for staff. We soon realized we could only remain open for lunch. This decision was made in hopes of streamlining overhead and allow us to focus more on our customers. Homelessness, parking, and Staff were also significant challenges. We certainly hope that the downtown core of Cedar Rapids gets the changes and support it needs.
In December of 2022, the owner moved out of state with his family to support his wife’s career, with the promise that Gianna’s would continue for years to come. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Gianna’s Italian Beef is officially closed. We would like to formally apologize for the delay in notifying the public, as this was a difficult decision to come to terms with. In the final days of operation, we made attempts to discuss potential new ownership and other options for the space Gianna’s has occupied for the last seven years, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for letting you all down. It has truly been a privilege to serve our great community. We will hold on to the memories eternally.
We are incredibly thankful for the support of everyone who ever visited or helped in any capacity, whether big or small. Bart Woods, Paul Desmond, Steve Emerson, Vincent Russo, Freddy Russo and the Hadjis family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Remember to support the small, local businesses around you!
With love from Gianna’s!
