After more than three decades of serving Storm Lake, one of the community’s most familiar restaurants will plate its final meals tonight.
BozWellz on Erie Street is closing its doors at 9 p.m., ending a 31‑year run that’s woven into the city’s food scene, its celebrations and its memories.
Owner Cindy Bosley says the decision came last week — sudden for customers, but necessary for her health. She opened BozWellz in February of 1995, after working in the building for a decade and eventually purchasing it out of bankruptcy court.
She says the restaurant became more than a business — it became a family.
Bosley says telling them the restaurant would close was one of the hardest moments of her career. But she says the last few months have made it clear she can no longer keep up with the physical demands and stress of running a restaurant while managing multiple sclerosis and recent complications.
BozWellz has long been known not just for its menu, but for its community spirit — including the Thanksgiving meals Bosley hosted for a decade, serving more than a thousand people some years. She says those gatherings were among the most meaningful parts of her work, bringing people together in a way that still fills her with joy.
Bosley’s desserts — especially her cheesecakes, pies, and specialty cakes — have long had a loyal following, with customers regularly posting online about driving in just for a slice. She says she may continue making desserts out of her home kitchen after the restaurant closes, but she hasn’t made any firm decisions yet. For now, Bosley says the recipes remain “in her head.”
As for today’s final service, Bosley says customers should expect a few menu changes as the kitchen begins to run out of certain items — though select customer favorites will be featured. Hours today are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again from 4:30 until 9 p.m.
Gift certificates can still be used through closing time tonight.
The building — which includes the main‑floor restaurant and kitchen, a full prep kitchen in the basement and a large one‑bedroom apartment upstairs — is being sold as is. Bosley says she hopes someone will take over the space and bring new life to it. People interested in the property can contact Steve Brashears at Compass Real Estate of Northwest Iowa in Storm Lake at 941-628-9143.
As she prepares to lock the doors for the last time, Bosley says she’s sad — but grateful.
