Indigo Palette owners Barbara Sulzbach, left, John Glaza, center, and Kristine Elkjer, right, are shown in the 1012 Historic Fourth Street art gallery and café. The three friends opened the new eatery in December, 2012.
Molly Montag, Sioux City Journal
An order of ribs with sides at Indigo Palette restaurant/art gallery on Historic Fourth Street.
SIOUX CITY | The Indigo Palette was supposed to be an art gallery that served a little food. Instead, the business at 1012 Historic Fourth Street has turned into a thriving café and creative outlet for the local arts community.
“It’s not what we expected,” said co-owner John Glaza. “We thought we were an art gallery with a little café in the back. Instead, we found out we were this popular restaurant, bistro with art on the walls.”
Glaza opened the business with friends Barbara Sulzbach and Kristine Elkjer in December.
Sulzbach, who previously ran a restaurant in Tucson, Ariz., said things went so well they expanded their menu to all-day offerings. The Indigo Palette serves pastries, coffee and quiche in the mornings. Fresh American fare and desserts are available the rest of the day.
“Things are going really good,” Sulzbach said. “We’re learning new things every day.”
In its short existence, the Indigo Palette has hosted poetry slams, live music and open mic nights. Artists are encouraged to submit their artwork for display and sale.
The café celebrates all artists, from cooks to painters.
Anyone interested in displaying art in the café should visit with Elkjer. Display is free, but requires a contract. Commission is charged on sales.
Performance artists are encouraged to participate in the Palette’s open mic nights.
“We think of art in a very broad sense,” Glaza said. “We think we’re filling a void for a lot of people who don’t have a place to perform or cook.”
In the future, the trio would like to have art fairs in the summer or offer wine tasting. One of the servers is working on a one-act play, which will be performed at the restaurant.
The Indigo Palette is open 7 a.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Indigo Palette owners Barbara Sulzbach, left, John Glaza, center, and Kristine Elkjer, right, are shown in the 1012 Historic Fourth Street art gallery and café. The three friends opened the new eatery in December, 2012.
