Princess Grill and Pizzeria

  • Historically Known As: Princess-Sweet Shop

  • Address: 607 Washington Ave
  • Vicinity: Stevens St
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Building
  • Eatery Type: Soda Fountain

The Princess Grill and Pizzeria is a casual restaurant in Iowa City, Iowa, that showcases many of its original 1935 features including a 25-foot Italian marble soda fountain, hardwood booths and hand-poured terrazzo floors. The building is faced in black Carrara glass panels and accented with dark Art Deco zig-zag treatments. The original Princess-Sweet Shop offered Velvet ice cream, Home Made Candies and Chinese food. - AsNotedIn

The first floor will be given over to the retail candy, ice cream and cafe business.... Interior fixtures will include a candy case at the north end of the west wall, three large candy cases and display shelves on the east wall and 24 large, comfortable dining booths.
All the fixtures were custom-built for the Princess by Robert Brand and Sons Company of Osh Kosh, Wisconsin. They are of two-tone walnut. Panels of figured oriental walnut of light shades, imported from Africa, will be placed at the ends of the tables in the booths. Attached to each panel will be a mirror 20x24 inches and a modernistic indirect lighting fixture. Avodire veneer and American black walnut will be used in the booth suits, which will have carved rosettes inlaid at the ends. The same materials will be used in the candy cases, display cases, for wall paneling and for panels inside the front display windows. The tables will have black formic(a) tops with white metal edges. The new fountain is 25 feet long and of the most modern design, electrically refrigerated throughout.
Iowa Falls Citizen, July 1935


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1935/00/00 L L Klippel Architect Princess-Sweet Shop is built by J J Sprague for Greek Americans Ernie Karrys and Harry Pergakis after a Christmas Day 1934 fire left their candy shop only a brick shell. It is the first building in town with air conditioning.
1935/00/00 The Princess-Sweet Shop facade is finished in 'pitco' metal and black Carrara glass with a pale green linear design at the corners and sides. The second floor is painted green. Dark zig-zag details frame the second floor windows.
1935/00/00 Brand and Sons Company Craftsmen Two-tone walnut furnishing and paneling crafted by Robert Brand and Sons Co installed at the Princess. Wood details include oriental walnut imported from Africa, Avodire veneer and American black walnut.
1935/07/00 Pergakis trumpets the opening and the "return to the Princess-Sweet Shop of Yee Foong Young, the Chinese chef who was connected with the Princess before the fire. Mr Young will again specialize in the preparation of Chinese dishes for patrons of the cafe.

Eat and Drink »

Eatery Type Soda Fountain



Data »

Particulars for Princess Grill and Pizzeria:
Area of Significance Architecture
Criteria Architecture-Engineering
Architectural Style Art Deco
Sight Category Building
Area of Design Decorative Arts
Building Material Glass
Cultural Affiliation Greek American
Area of Significance Interior Design
Historic Use Restaurant



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration:

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name:
Registry Address:
Registry Number: 93000957
Resource Type:
Owner: Private
Architect: Klippel, L.L.; Sprague, J.J.
Architectural Style: Art deco
Other Certification: Date received-pending nomination
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: Local
Area of Significance: Architecture
Applicable Criteria: Architecture-Engineering
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Significant Year: 1935
Historic Function: Commerce, Trade
Historic Sub-Function: Restaurant
Current Function: Commerce, Trade
Current Sub-Function: Restaurant

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