Nampa Growth & What It Means

Braeburn Creek Gets P&Z Recommendation, Heads to Council

Update: Planning & Zoning Recommends Approval, Updated October 1, 2026

Braeburn Creek, a proposed 487-home Toll Brothers community near Amity Avenue and Happy Valley Road, has cleared its first major city hearing.

After nearly three hours of public testimony, questions and deliberation, the Nampa Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the project.

Traffic, Columbia High School, the Nampa Municipal Airport, farmland and continued growth were among the biggest issues raised during the hearing.

The commission also added two conditions: a warrant analysis to determine whether a pedestrian crossing is needed near Columbia High School and a privacy fence along the northern boundary of the development.

This is not final approval. Braeburn Creek now heads to the Nampa City Council.

What Is Braeburn Creek?

Toll Brothers is proposing 487 single-family homes on about 138 acres at the northeast corner of Amity Avenue and Happy Valley Road.

The property is currently in Canyon County but is within Nampa’s Area of City Impact. Toll Brothers is asking the city to annex the property and zone it for residential development.

The proposal includes three residential zoning areas:

RS4: 144 homes
RS6: 177 homes
RS7: 166 homes

The overall density would be about 3.5 homes per acre.

The smaller lots would generally be closer to Happy Valley Road, while larger lots would be placed along portions of the north and east sides of the development.

Planning & Zoning Recommends Approval

Braeburn Creek went before the Nampa Planning & Zoning Commission on September 30, 2026.

Following the public hearing and a lengthy deliberation, commissioners voted to recommend approval of the annexation, zoning and preliminary plat.

The motion passed with all participating commissioners voting in favor.

Commissioners added two conditions to the city’s existing list of conditions.

A Crosswalk Study Near Columbia High School

Columbia High School sits directly across Happy Valley Road from the proposed development, and pedestrian safety received considerable attention during the hearing.

But Planning & Zoning did not require Toll Brothers to build a crosswalk.

Instead, commissioners required a warrant analysis.

That study will look at pedestrian activity, traffic volumes and safety standards to determine whether a crossing is warranted and, if so, what type of crossing would be appropriate.

City engineering staff explained that simply putting in a crosswalk does not automatically make a road safer. The amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, visibility and other factors all matter.

So for now, the answer to “Will there be a crosswalk?” is: we don’t know yet.

Privacy Fence Added Along the Northern Boundary

Commissioners also added a requirement for a privacy fence along the northern boundary of Braeburn Creek.

A neighboring property owner told the commission that a planned collector road would run close to his family’s existing home and raised concerns about headlights, traffic, noise and privacy.

That testimony ultimately resulted in the additional fence condition.

Traffic Was One of the Biggest Concerns

Anyone who drives Amity Avenue or Happy Valley Road during busy times already knows why traffic dominated much of the hearing.

Residents questioned what nearly 500 additional homes would mean for roads that are already congested, particularly around Columbia High School and the Amity and Happy Valley intersection.

Braeburn Creek would trigger a number of road improvements.

Plans include widening portions of Happy Valley Road, adding turn lanes, improving portions of Amity Avenue, building new collector roads and adding multi-use pathways.

Toll Brothers is also working with the city on improvements to the Amity and Happy Valley roundabout, including an additional approach lane intended to improve traffic flow.

The traffic impact study also identifies future widening and intersection improvements as the development builds out.

Still, some commissioners said the improvements may not solve all of the existing traffic problems in the area.

And that’s an important distinction.

The developer can be required to mitigate traffic created by Braeburn Creek. It cannot reasonably be required to fix every traffic problem that already exists along Amity and Happy Valley.

The Nampa Airport Became a Major Part of the Hearing

One of the biggest discussions of the night had less to do with the homes themselves and more to do with the nearby Nampa Municipal Airport.

Several pilots, hangar owners and airport users spoke during public testimony.

Interestingly, some specifically said they were not opposed to Braeburn Creek itself.

Their concern was what could happen years down the road when hundreds of new homeowners are living near an active airport.

Speakers raised questions about:

FAA requirements
Federal airport funding
Flight patterns
Aircraft noise
Potential future complaints from homeowners
Whether residential development could eventually lead to restrictions on airport operations

Some speakers asked the city to wait for additional airport planning information before moving the project forward.

City staff said they had reviewed state and FAA guidance and had not found anything indicating that the proposed residential use or density is prohibited at this location.

The city’s conditions also include an avigation easement and airport disclosure.

In plain English, future homeowners will be put on notice that they are buying near an active airport and should expect aircraft noise and flights overhead.

Landscaping will also be restricted from using certain fruit-bearing trees that could attract birds near the airport.

The airport discussion may not be over. It is likely to come up again when Braeburn Creek reaches City Council.

What About Farmland?

Several residents opposed Braeburn Creek because the property is currently agricultural land.

Their concerns went beyond this particular subdivision.

They questioned how much farmland southeast Nampa should continue converting into residential development and whether the city’s roads and services can keep up as growth moves farther east.

One speaker encouraged larger acreage-style lots.

Another argued that approving subdivisions on productive agricultural land makes it easier for development to continue spreading into remaining farmland.

Others spoke in support of Braeburn Creek and pointed to the planned road improvements, sidewalks, pathways and overall design of the Toll Brothers community.

What About Police and Fire Services?

City staff estimated that 487 homes could eventually add roughly 1,200 to 1,300 residents.

That growth would create additional demand for police and fire services.

The Nampa Fire District reported that the property is approximately 1.3 miles from Fire Station No. 5, with an estimated response time of about three minutes.

Public testimony also included concerns about police staffing and whether city services are keeping pace with residential growth.

Impact fees from new construction help fund infrastructure and public services, but staffing and growth remain broader citywide issues that extend beyond Braeburn Creek.

What Will Braeburn Creek Include?

Braeburn Creek is planned as a large, amenity-focused Toll Brothers community.

Current plans include:

Community pool and pool house
Pickleball courts
Two play structures
Sports and play fields
Basketball court
Picnic and seating areas
About 2.6 miles of internal off-street pathways
A regional multi-use pathway along the Amity Drain

Toll Brothers says roughly 28 acres, or about 20% of the property, would be open space.

Homes are expected to range from approximately 1,600 to 3,000 square feet.

Road Improvements Planned With Braeburn Creek

The development would also construct or contribute to several transportation improvements around the property.

Those include:

Widening portions of Happy Valley Road
Center and dedicated turn lanes
Improvements along Amity Avenue
Future collector roads along the development
Improvements near Cruse Lane
Multi-use pathways along Amity and Happy Valley
Improvements to the Amity and Happy Valley roundabout

Because Braeburn Creek would be built over several years, not every road improvement would necessarily happen at once.

Different improvements would be triggered as development progresses and traffic levels increase.

Braeburn Creek Could Take About Seven Years to Build

Even if City Council eventually approves Braeburn Creek, don’t expect 487 homes to appear overnight.

Toll Brothers plans to develop the community in 14 phases over approximately seven years.

The developer hopes to record the first phase near the end of 2027.

The first residents would likely move in around the end of 2028 at the earliest.

Toll Brothers anticipates developing roughly two phases per year after that.

That means construction could continue well into the 2030s.

What Happens Next?

The next major step is the Nampa City Council.

City Council will consider the annexation, zoning and preliminary development proposal and can approve it, change conditions or deny the request.

The Planning & Zoning recommendation will be forwarded to the council as part of that process.

A City Council hearing date has not been announced yet.

We will update this page when the hearing is scheduled and again when City Council makes its decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Braeburn Creek?

Braeburn Creek is a proposed Toll Brothers residential community near Amity Avenue and Happy Valley Road in Nampa. The current plan includes 487 single-family homes on approximately 138 acres.

Did Planning & Zoning approve Braeburn Creek?

The Nampa Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of Braeburn Creek on September 30, 2026. The project still needs to go before the Nampa City Council.

How many homes are planned in Braeburn Creek?

The current proposal includes 487 single-family homes.

When is the City Council hearing for Braeburn Creek?

A Nampa City Council hearing date has not been announced yet. This page will be updated when the hearing is scheduled.

Will there be a crosswalk by Columbia High School?

That has not been decided. Planning & Zoning added a condition requiring a warrant analysis to determine whether a pedestrian crossing is justified and what type of crossing would be appropriate.

How much will homes in Braeburn Creek cost?

Toll Brothers has not released home pricing for Braeburn Creek yet.

When would construction start?

Toll Brothers hopes to record the first phase near the end of 2027. The first residents would likely move in around the end of 2028 at the earliest.

How long would Braeburn Creek take to build?

The current plan calls for 14 phases over approximately seven years.

What road improvements are planned?

Plans include widening portions of Happy Valley Road, adding turn lanes, improving parts of Amity Avenue, constructing new collector roads, adding multi-use pathways and making improvements to the Amity and Happy Valley roundabout.

Is Braeburn Creek near the Nampa Municipal Airport?

Yes. The proposed development is near the Nampa Municipal Airport, and airport compatibility became a major topic during the Planning & Zoning hearing. The proposed conditions include an airport disclosure and avigation easement so future homeowners are aware they are buying near an active airport.

Does Braeburn Creek still need City Council approval?

Yes. Planning & Zoning recommended approval, but the Nampa City Council still has to consider the annexation, zoning and development proposal.

Thinking About Buying in Braeburn Creek?

Thinking about buying in Braeburn Creek down the road?

Judit and Isaac Crace with Top Idaho Real Estate track new builder communities around Nampa. Call or text 208-989-8461, and they can let you know when Toll Brothers releases pricing, floor plans and homes for sale.

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Judit and Isaac Crace of All Things Nampa in Nampa, Idaho

Meet Judit & Isaac

Hi, I’m Judit, and this is my son Isaac. We’re the team behind All Things Nampa and Top Idaho Real Estate. I have helped Treasure Valley home buyers and sellers since 2004, and Isaac is a Nampa native and third-generation Nampa REALTOR®. We created All Things Nampa to keep our community informed, connected and up to date on what is happening locally.

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Nampa Approves Grace Bible Church Annexation for New Church Site

The Nampa City Council voted 5-0 to approve the annexation and zoning requests connected to Grace Bible Church’s future campus near Lake Lowell Avenue and Midway Road.

The September 8, 2026, decision covers two parcels. The larger parcel at the northwest corner of the intersection received RA suburban residential zoning. Grace Bible Church plans to build its new campus there.

A separate parcel at the southeast corner received RS7 single-family residential zoning. That smaller parcel currently has no development plan.

The council approved the application with the city’s recommended conditions and proposed findings. The decision also creates the annexation path needed for the previously approved Lake Lowell Estates development west of the future church.

What Is Planned for the New Grace Bible Church Campus?

The current concept shows an 88,479-square-foot, two-story church building. The proposed worship center could accommodate up to 1,300 people under city code.

The preliminary site plan includes:

690 parking spaces
7.5 acres of open space
Landscaping and buffers around the property
Access from Lake Lowell Avenue and Midway Road
Possible recreational areas in a future phase

City code requires 347 parking spaces for the proposed use. The church plans to provide nearly twice that amount. Church representatives said the additional parking should reduce the time visitors spend searching for spaces and improve traffic circulation within the property.

The concept plan also shows sports fields and other recreational space. However, Pastor Keith Wagner told the council that those features are only possibilities. They are not included in Phase One, and the church has not established a timeline for building them.

The applicant also clarified that the current proposal does not include athletic field lighting.

Why Does Grace Bible Church Need a New Location?

Grace Bible Church has served the Nampa community for approximately 50 years. Wagner said the congregation has experienced sustained growth and has run out of room at its current location.

The church currently offers six services but still reaches capacity. Wagner said the church has recently had to turn people away because no seats remained. As a temporary solution, the church is preparing overflow space at Lone Star Middle School.

Church leaders want the future campus to offer more than Sunday worship. They envision a place for community gatherings, ministries and partnerships with local organizations.

Traffic Was the Main Concern

Much of the City Council discussion and public testimony focused on traffic along Lake Lowell Avenue, Midway Road and nearby intersections.

Several residents asked the city to delay approval until the church completed a traffic impact study. They raised concerns about narrow roads, existing congestion, nearby residential growth and the number of vehicles that could enter and leave the campus during services.

The church has already hired a traffic engineer. However, the study was not complete at the time of the hearing.

City staff explained that Nampa requires the traffic impact study during the building permit process. The city and its traffic consultant will review the study and determine which improvements the project must provide.

Those improvements could include turn lanes, vehicle stacking lanes or work at nearby intersections.

The developer will pay for improvements caused by the project. The city will not issue a certificate of occupancy until the required improvements are complete.

Highway District No. 4 asked that church access come from Lake Lowell Avenue. The district also noted that part of Midway Road was rebuilt in 2024. It requested that utility work avoid cutting into the newer roadway for five years.

Residents Raised Wildlife and Lighting Concerns

The property sits near the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Several speakers asked the church and city to consider how traffic, development and nighttime lighting could affect birds and other wildlife.

One statement presented during the hearing requested fully shielded, downward-facing exterior lighting. It also recommended turning off parking lot and athletic field lights when they are not needed, especially during spring and fall bird migration.

Church representatives said the plan would add significantly more trees and landscaping than the property has today. They also emphasized that the sports fields remain conceptual and that field lighting is not part of the current proposal.

City staff said Nampa does not have separate development standards for properties near the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. However, the city’s existing code requires shielded lighting designed to direct light downward and keep it on the property.

Staff said those requirements should reduce light spilling onto neighboring properties, although they would not eliminate it completely.

What Is Planned for the Second Parcel?

The approximately five-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Lake Lowell Avenue and Midway Road received RS7 zoning. No construction is currently proposed there.

Council members asked what that zoning could allow in the future. City staff clarified that RS7 permits single-family homes. It does not permit apartments or townhomes.

Staff estimated that the property might accommodate approximately nine to 12 homes after road right-of-way and other site requirements reduce the usable acreage.

Any future subdivision proposal would still have to go through the city’s development review process.

How Does the Approval Affect Lake Lowell Estates?

The Grace Bible Church annexation also matters to another approved project nearby.

Lake Lowell Estates is a proposed 25-home development west of the church site. Its plans call for homes on lots of at least one acre, more than six acres of open space, a gazebo and pickleball courts.

The City Council previously required the Grace Bible Church property to be annexed before the city could complete the ordinance needed for Lake Lowell Estates.

With the church annexation approved, Lake Lowell Estates can return to the city for that next step.

City staff also clarified that Nampa will not pay to extend utilities to either development. Grace Bible Church and the Lake Lowell Estates developer must determine how to divide the infrastructure costs.

City Leaders Disclosed Connections to the Church

Before voting, the mayor and several council members disclosed affiliations with Grace Bible Church or previous conversations with its pastors about the project.

The city attorney explained that Idaho’s conflict-of-interest rules focus on financial interests. He said the disclosed affiliations and conversations did not create a financial conflict that required anyone to step away from the decision.

The City Council then approved the application by a 5-0 roll-call vote.

What Happens Next?

The annexation and zoning approval does not allow construction to begin immediately.

Grace Bible Church must continue through Nampa’s development and building permit process. The project must complete its traffic impact study, satisfy the city’s conditions and construct any required transportation improvements before the city issues a certificate of occupancy.

The sports fields and other recreational features shown on the concept plan remain possible future additions. They are not part of the first construction phase.

Lake Lowell Estates must also return to the city so officials can complete the next required step for that development.

All Things Nampa will continue following both projects as new plans, traffic studies and construction timelines become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Nampa approve the Grace Bible Church annexation?

Yes. The Nampa City Council approved the annexation and zoning requests by a 5-0 vote on September 8, 2026. The approval included the city’s recommended conditions and proposed findings.

Where will the new Grace Bible Church campus be located?

The future campus is planned for the northwest corner of Lake Lowell Avenue and Midway Road in Nampa. The property received RA suburban residential zoning, which allows a church at this location.

What does Grace Bible Church plan to build?

The preliminary plan shows an 88,479-square-foot, two-story church building with a worship center for up to 1,300 people. It also includes 690 parking spaces, landscaping and 7.5 acres of open space.

Are the sports fields part of the first construction phase?

No. The sports fields shown on the concept plan are possible future additions. They are not part of Phase One, and the church has not announced a timeline for building them.

Will Grace Bible Church have to complete a traffic study?

Yes. Nampa requires a traffic impact study as part of the building permit process. The church has already hired a traffic engineer. The developer must complete any transportation improvements required by the study before the city issues a certificate of occupancy.

What will happen to the second parcel at the intersection?

The approximately five-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Lake Lowell Avenue and Midway Road received RS7 single-family residential zoning. No development is currently proposed there. RS7 zoning does not allow apartments or townhomes.

How does the approval affect Lake Lowell Estates?

The church property provides the required annexation path for Lake Lowell Estates, a previously approved 25-home development west of the future church. Lake Lowell Estates can now return to the city for the next step in its approval process.

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Nampa City Council Denies Lone Star Development Near Midway Park

Updated October 20, 2026

The Lone Star master plan community is dead, at least for now.

After a hearing that ran past 11 pm on Monday, October 19, the Nampa City Council voted 4-2 to deny the annexation and zoning for the roughly 149-acre development. The site is near Smith Avenue, Midway Road and Lone Star Road in southwest Nampa.

That reverses the momentum from August, when the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.

How the Council Voted

Council member Rodriguez made the motion to deny.

Voted to deny: Skaug, Jangula, Griffin, Rodriguez
Voted against denial: Bills, Reynolds

The denial was based on two parts of Nampa’s annexation code. The first is whether the city can serve the area. The second is whether the project is in the public interest and reasonably necessary right now.

What Was Proposed

The plan mixed homes, apartments and shopping on one large property. The applicant’s latest estimate was about 862 total units:

Single-family homes on about 90 acres
About 313 apartments and 100 townhomes on about 29 acres
About 30 acres of commercial, pitched as a neighborhood shopping area with a grocery store, restaurants and coffee
A 20% density bonus on the apartment area, raising it from 12 to 14.4 units per acre

The earliest homes would not have started until about 2031.

Why the Council Said No

Traffic with no fix in sight

Transportation Director Crystal Craig said the city is building road improvements from the inside out. Midland comes first, then Middleton. She doesn’t expect improvements on Midway Road for 5 to 10 years. Midway also isn’t on the city’s impact fee project list right now.

Police staffing

Council member Griffin pointed out that Nampa is asking voters for a police levy right now. He estimated this one development would need about 3.5 more officers and extra support staff.

No fiscal impact numbers yet

The city is building a tool to measure whether a development actually pays for itself. City staff said it should be ready around January. Several council members said they didn’t want to approve a project this big without those numbers.

Too dense for the area

Residents and council members said apartments and small lots didn’t fit an area boxed in by Lake Lowell on the west and south. Griffin said he would rather see RS 8.5 zoning up to Midway Road, with large-lot homes west of Midway. Late in the hearing, the applicant offered to drop the apartment zoning from RMH to the slightly less dense RML. It wasn’t enough.

A Packed Room of Opposition

More than 20 people testified, and the city received over 35 written comments. Nearly all of them opposed the project.

Speakers raised:

Traffic backups on Midway, Middleton and Iowa
Loss of farmland and rural character
Light pollution affecting migrating birds at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
Water supply
Whether growth pays for growth

A few speakers defended council member Bills after the hearing got heated. The mayor eventually stepped in to stop the back-and-forth.

What This Means for Midway Park

This is the part that stings.

The city has wanted to annex Midway Park for years. Annexing it would let Nampa add parking lot lighting, connect the park to city sewer and water, and remove the concrete barrier on Midway Road that blocks left turns. City staff said the park’s annexation was contingent on Lone Star being approved. Lone Star was the piece that made the park touch city limits.

With Lone Star denied, that plan is on hold. Parks Director Cody Swander said the city could still ask Canyon County for permission to add lighting under the park’s current county rules. That request hasn’t been made yet.

Could Lone Star Come Back?

Possibly. The developer could return with a revised plan, and it’s not unheard of. The same night, the council approved a Victory Road industrial project it had denied back in July.

If Lone Star does come back, Griffin made his wish list pretty clear: bigger lots, less density, and smaller-scale commercial.

All Things Nampa will keep following what happens next with this property and Midway Park.

You can follow other major projects on our Nampa Growth & Development page.

FAQ

Was the Lone Star development in Nampa approved?

No. The Nampa City Council voted 4-2 to deny the annexation and zoning on October 19, 2026. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval in August.

Why did the Nampa City Council deny Lone Star?

Council members cited traffic, police staffing, density, and the lack of a fiscal impact analysis. The city’s tool for measuring whether growth pays for itself isn’t expected until around January.

How many homes were planned in the Lone Star development?

The applicant estimated about 862 total units. That included single-family homes, about 313 apartments and about 100 townhomes, plus roughly 30 acres of commercial.

What happens to Midway Park now?

The city’s plan to annex Midway Park depended on Lone Star being approved. That annexation is now on hold. The city may ask Canyon County for permission to add lighting in the meantime.

Can the Lone Star developer reapply?

The developer could bring back a revised proposal. No new plan has been announced.

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Natural Grocers Is Coming to Nampa’s District 208

Good news, Nampa. You may soon be able to buy organic kale without a road trip to Boise.

City records show Natural Grocers is getting a store ready at District 208, the old Karcher Mall on Caldwell Blvd. Nobody has made it official yet. But the paperwork is pretty hard to ignore.

What We Know So Far

Here’s what’s on the record right now:

Address: 1509 Caldwell Blvd, Nampa (District 208)
Cost of work: $1.1 million, per the permit application
Permit status: Pending correction on the city’s online portal, as of last week
Work planned: Shell improvements, interior demolition, new HVAC, and utility work

The news first surfaced at Mayor Darl Bruner’s State of the City address on October 22. He said a new grocery store is coming to District 208 next year. He didn’t name the company and said an announcement would come toward the end of the year.

Idaho News 6 and BoiseDev then dug into city records. That’s where the Natural Grocers name showed up.

What We Don’t Know Yet

Plenty, honestly.

Which space it’ll take. The city hasn’t said, and the permit doesn’t make it clear.
When it’ll open. “Next year” is all we’ve got.
How big it’ll be or how many jobs it’ll bring.

Natural Grocers didn’t respond to BoiseDev’s request for comment. So for now, this is city paperwork, not a ribbon cutting.

Why This Matters for Nampa

Right now, the closest Natural Grocers is in Boise on Milwaukee Street. That’s a haul from most of Nampa.

Idaho has six Natural Grocers today: Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Hailey, Idaho Falls, McCall, and Twin Falls. A Nampa store would be number seven and the first one in Canyon County.

The chain is based in Lakewood, Colorado, and has been family run since 1955. It has 174 stores in 22 states. It only sells USDA-certified organic produce and is known for free nutrition classes and coaching.

A Quick Look Back at the Old Karcher Mall

Karcher Mall opened in 1965 as the first enclosed mall in Idaho. For years, it was the place to be. Then Boise Towne Square opened in 1988, and the crowds slowly drifted east.

The indoor mall closed in 2020. The property was renamed District 208 in 2022, and over 200 apartments went up on site. Hyperion Realty Capital bought it in 2024 and said big changes would take years.

Today, District 208 has Ross, Boot Barn, Big 5, and MOR Furniture. Adding a grocery store is a big deal. People shop for groceries every week. That kind of steady traffic is exactly what a comeback needs.

What Happens Next

Keep an eye out for two things: the city signing off on the permit, and an official announcement, which the mayor says is coming before the year ends. We’ll update this post as soon as we know more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Natural Grocers really opening in Nampa?

City records show a permit application from Natural Grocers for District 208. The company hasn’t officially announced it yet.

Where will the Nampa Natural Grocers be?

At District 208, 1509 Caldwell Blvd. That’s the old Karcher Mall. The exact space hasn’t been made public.

When will Natural Grocers open in Nampa?

Mayor Darl Bruner said the store is coming next year. No opening date has been set.

Where is the closest Natural Grocers right now?

Boise, at 1195 N Milwaukee St.

What does Natural Grocers sell?

Organic produce, groceries, vitamins and supplements, and body care products. All of its produce is USDA-certified organic.

Keep Up With What’s Changing in Nampa

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Nampa’s Viral Smoked Salmon Brand Now Has a Cafe

Nampa, we have a smoked salmon situation.

Solovey Cafe has opened at 207 13th Ave. South, and it’s the kind of place that makes you rethink your usual coffee run. Yes, there’s espresso. There are pastries. There’s also caviar. On 13th Avenue. We had to see it.

Fish Is the Family Business

This all started with Vitaliy Solovey, a lifelong fisherman who taught his sons, Daniel and Dimitriy, how to catch fish and how to smoke it right.

In March 2025, the family turned that know-how into Solovey Kitchen and started shipping smoked fish across the country. Then TikTok found them. BoiseDev reported the company passed 300,000 online followers in under a year.

A brand with that kind of buzz could have opened its first shop anywhere. They picked Nampa, because this is home. We approve.

Wait, This Is in Nampa?

Walk in and the first thing you’ll do is stop and stare at the wall.

A giant hand-painted mural stretches behind the counter. Picture a quiet creek, wooded hills, ducks drifting by and a fisherman casting a line. For a family that built everything on fishing, it’s basically their story painted ten feet tall.

The rest of the room keeps up. Dark wood. Hexagon tile. Marble-look tables. It’s elegant, but it doesn’t make you feel like you need to whisper.

Out front, a flower arch wraps the door and bistro chairs line the sidewalk. It’s hard to walk past without snapping a photo. Trust us, we tried.

Pull Up a Chair

Grab a seat at one of the tables with a friend, or claim a spot at the high-top counter along the wall and open your laptop. There’s patio seating outside too, while the weather lasts.

The best part? It’s quiet. You can actually hear the person across from you. Bring your mom. Bring the out-of-town cousins. Or just come by yourself and do absolutely nothing for an hour.

Salmon on Toast, Done Right

We went with the smoked salmon toast and a cortado.

The toast is stacked: cream cheese, crisp cucumber, pickled cabbage and a pile of smoked salmon that does not hold back. It shows up looking like it belongs on a magazine cover. The smoked salmon toast is one of the items that makes this cafe different from a typical coffee shop.

The cortado was smooth and strong, the way it should be.

Not a fish person? There’s avocado toast, a turkey club and a pastry case with Gaston’s pastries and desserts that are hard to ignore.

The Fish Menu Is Serious

Here’s where it gets fun. There’s a full smoked fish menu on the counter, so you can skip the shipping box and walk out with dinner.

Prices at our visit:

Steelhead: $20 for 8 oz., $40 for 1 lb.
Sockeye salmon: $35 for a half, $70 for a full
Salmon strips: $35 for 8 oz.
Tuna: $40 for 1 lb.

You’ll also find smoked mackerel, sliced Nova salmon, salmon dip, salmon roe, and Kaluga and Osetra caviar. Caviar. In downtown Nampa. Let that sink in. Prices and stock can change, so ask at the counter.

The Details

☕ What: Solovey Cafe
📍 Where: 207 13th Ave. S., downtown Nampa
🕗 Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
🐟 Website: Solovey Kitchen
📸 Instagram: @soloveykitchen

One More Reason to Hang Out Downtown

Downtown Nampa continues to attract interesting locally owned businesses, and Solovey Cafe gives people another reason to spend time on 13th Avenue.

Hungry for more? Check out our Nampa restaurant guide.

Want the next new spot before your neighbors hear about it? Join the Nampa Insider newsletter.

FAQ

Where is Solovey Cafe in Nampa?

Solovey Cafe is at 207 13th Ave. South in downtown Nampa.

What are Solovey Cafe’s hours?

Solovey Cafe is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What food does Solovey Cafe serve?

The menu includes smoked salmon toast, avocado toast, a turkey club, coffee drinks, pastries and desserts.

Can I buy smoked fish at Solovey Cafe?

Yes. The cafe has a smoked fish menu that includes steelhead, sockeye salmon, salmon strips, tuna, Nova salmon, salmon dip, roe and caviar. Stock can vary.

Does Solovey Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes. There are bistro tables outside the front entrance, plus indoor tables and a high-top counter.

Does Solovey Kitchen ship?

Yes. Solovey Kitchen ships smoked fish across the United States through its website.

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Braeburn Creek Gets P&Z Recommendation, Heads to Council

What Is Braeburn Creek?

Planning & Zoning Recommends Approval

A Crosswalk Study Near Columbia High School

Privacy Fence Added Along the Northern Boundary

Traffic Was One of the Biggest Concerns

The Nampa Airport Became a Major Part of the Hearing

What About Farmland?

What About Police and Fire Services?

What Will Braeburn Creek Include?

Road Improvements Planned With Braeburn Creek

Braeburn Creek Could Take About Seven Years to Build

What Happens Next?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Braeburn Creek?

Did Planning & Zoning approve Braeburn Creek?

How many homes are planned in Braeburn Creek?

When is the City Council hearing for Braeburn Creek?

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When would construction start?

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Does Braeburn Creek still need City Council approval?

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Nampa Approves Grace Bible Church Annexation for New Church Site

What Is Planned for the New Grace Bible Church Campus?

Why Does Grace Bible Church Need a New Location?

Traffic Was the Main Concern

Residents Raised Wildlife and Lighting Concerns

What Is Planned for the Second Parcel?

How Does the Approval Affect Lake Lowell Estates?

City Leaders Disclosed Connections to the Church

What Happens Next?

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Nampa approve the Grace Bible Church annexation?

Where will the new Grace Bible Church campus be located?

What does Grace Bible Church plan to build?

Are the sports fields part of the first construction phase?

Will Grace Bible Church have to complete a traffic study?

What will happen to the second parcel at the intersection?

How does the approval affect Lake Lowell Estates?

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Nampa City Council Denies Lone Star Development Near Midway Park

How the Council Voted

What Was Proposed

Why the Council Said No

Traffic with no fix in sight

Police staffing

No fiscal impact numbers yet

Too dense for the area

A Packed Room of Opposition

What This Means for Midway Park

Could Lone Star Come Back?

FAQ

Was the Lone Star development in Nampa approved?

Why did the Nampa City Council deny Lone Star?

How many homes were planned in the Lone Star development?

What happens to Midway Park now?

Can the Lone Star developer reapply?

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New Businesses Coming to Nampa

Natural Grocers Is Coming to Nampa’s District 208

What We Know So Far

What We Don’t Know Yet

Why This Matters for Nampa

A Quick Look Back at the Old Karcher Mall

What Happens Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Natural Grocers really opening in Nampa?

Where will the Nampa Natural Grocers be?

When will Natural Grocers open in Nampa?

Where is the closest Natural Grocers right now?