About us

The Cork 50131 was opened in December 2022 by Johnston residents Leif and Tricia Gustafson. It is the culmination of a journey that began in 2019 when the couple found out a baby was on the way and Leif began to question whether he could withstand the corporate grind for 20 more years. While on their first date during the COVID pandemic in mid 2020, Leif and Tricia decided to slip into a wine bar for a quick drink before their dinner reservation, looked at each other, and said "we should do this." Within a few months, they had signed a lease to become the first tenants in the new Johnston Town Center Development and began the process of interviewing and hiring a general contractor (Butzke Burch Construction) and an architect (ISG). Fortunately they chose well and the space was transformed into the unique destination that they had envisioned.

Leif manages the day-to-day operations of The Cork, including wine selection, private events, etc. Tricia is the "aesthetic director" (interior decorations, etc.), and coordinates most aspects of the outdoor summer concert series events that The Cork presents at the Johnston Town Center Yard. Leif previously worked in house and in private practice as a corporate and transactional attorney in Phoenix, Lincoln (Nebraska), and Des Moines. He is a graduate of Mediapolis High School (in Southeast Iowa), Arizona State University, and the University of Iowa College of Law. Tricia is a sales professional and graduate of Maquoketa High School (in Eastern Iowa) and Iowa State University. They have three children - Sophia, Kolton, and Kai (The Cork's inspiration).

Other than Leif and Tricia, most of the staff you'll find at The Cork started "on the other side of the bar" as customers. We couldn't do it without them and are blessed to have their help in making The Cork a fun and friendly place to relax and unwind.