The COVID-19 pandemic is taking another amazing local restaurant away from us. White Star Ale House in Downtown Cedar Rapids has announced that their dining room is now officially closed.

The news arrived yesterday on the White Star Ale House Facebook page. The post says that the folks behind the popular restaurant are exploring their options, but finding a new owner is their best bet. It reads:

"Perhaps the best outcome of all the challenges would be to find a successor owner. This business has several attributes, a premium location, great staff, outstanding customers & has had some impressive business successes. If you know of anyone who might have serious interest in buying the business, please have them email IowaBusinessAdvisers@gmail.com, text 319-512-7453 or direct message the White Star Ale House to contact the owner directly."

The post goes on to thank customers and staff, and encourage people to stop by for one final drink. The bar will remain open with "limited or no food service" for a couple more weeks. The final sentence reads, "we look forward to a better future for The White Star Ale House."

The COVID-19 situation has taken a toll on many businesses in our industry including ours. To allow us to explore &...

Posted by White Star Ale House on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

I'm always bummed to see a locally-owned restaurant close, but this one hit me hard. White Star is one of my absolute favorite places in Cedar Rapids. In the six years that I've lived in Iowa, I've taken nearly every single person who has come to visit me there for dinner or drinks. I'll miss the leg lamps, the giant moose head, the live music, and, of course, the food. The Wisconsin Wontons are the best damn cheese wontons I've ever had! I will be keeping my fingers crossed that somebody purchases the restaurant and lets the legacy of White Star Ale House live on.

[Via KCRG]

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