Uptown Bill's is an outgrowth of Wild Bill's, a similar coffee shop on the UI campus founded in 1974 and still active today. Both coffee shops are part of the legacy of Bill Sackter, the first proprietor of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop.
Uptown Bill's has been serving Iowa City for nearly ten years. During this time it has developed from a simple convenience store type coffee shop to a mainline ice cream and coffee bar. The shift in emphasis was a result of having been gifted the noted Pearsons Drug ice cream bar and equipment dating back to the 1950's.
Uptown Bill's offers the "old" food menu as well, namely malts, shakes, floats, and banana splits. Among the fountain drinks is homemade pie. The atmosphere is a bit of heritage and a bit of home.
The manager is Tim Clark. The Coffee Bar is open daily 7:00 AM to at least 8:00 PM every day of the year.