Urban Elegance Meets Historic Charm

The historic Smulekoff's building in downtown Cedar Rapids was initially constructed in 1901 as a wholesale grocer and later furniture warehouse.

In 2017, part of the first floor was renovated and EastBank was created, 14,000 square feet of customizable event, lounge, and meeting space. This space uniquely integrates modern sophistication while taking full advantage of the timeless classic elements only in historic preservation.

Meet the Team

Jen

Owner + Client Relations Manager

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Events Director + Venue Manager

Courtney

Courtney’s love for the wedding industry runs deep, and her dedication to making every event truly special shines through in everything she does. She discovered her passion for weddings through the University of Iowa’s events program and hands-on internship experience, earning a degree in Communication Studies along with a Certificate in Event Management. With over 7 years of event and catering experience, Courtney brings both creativity and organization to every celebration. She has been with Eastbank since 2022 and is the driving force behind keeping the venue running seamlessly—from day-to-day operations to all the behind-the-scenes details that make wedding days feel effortless.

In her free time, Courtney enjoys reading, traveling, hunting for décor bargains, and baking + decorating cakes and desserts. With iced coffee in her veins and a love for trying new foods, she’s always up for a little adventure and creativity both in and out of the venue.

Hi, We’re the Howell Family!!

Jennifer and Quint Howell purchased EastBank Venue + Lounge in 2023. They also own Rosedale Park Event Center and Zest Catering Company.

Jennifer and Quint began their careers in the food and beverage industry with Jennifer spending nearly 20 years in the wedding and catering business. They raise three daughters together and live in Marion.