If Mama Rose’s, the venerable Italian restaurant in downtown Estes Park, kind of feels like you’re in someone’s home that’s because it was loosely styled to resemble Rose’s home back in Iowa. When the restaurant opened its doors some thirty years ago, the design and décor echoed the home of Julie Piper’s mom, the original Rose.

Julie’s brother Mario was the original owner. Today, Julie and her husband Rob Piper are the third owners. They also own Poppy’s Pizza and Grill just across the walkway from the Italian eatery.