The Story of  Smokey Row

In 1992 while driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, we walked into a coffee house and had our first taste of a good latte. We knew that we had to bring this home to Iowa. We developed a concept steeped in Midwest hospitality; a coffee house with an old-fashioned soda fountain and a diner menu. It had to be powered by good people, and appeal to all ages. We knew we needed a great name for our company, and out of the ashes of many town fires in Pleasantville, Iowa came the name that embodied our vision: Smokey Row Coffee house.

While browsing through a Pleasantville, Iowa history book, we read stories of the main street in Pleasantville having many disastrous fires in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. After each challenging fire, the community came together to rebuild the downtown. However, the cursed row of buildings on main street had earned the nickname of “Smokey Row”. The original Smokey Row Coffee house is located there.

    Our vision then and now, has been to be the community gathering spot, and to enhance the lives of our employees and patrons.

We are here… to “Make People’s Day!”