A Power Plant Could Spell the End for This Iconic Iowa Landmark

If you travel west on Highway 30 from Cedar Rapids, you'll pass a now-closed supper club with a history dating back to the 1930s. Now, the entire property, including a nearby motel, is in jeopardy thanks to a proposed power plant.

The History of The Cedrel Supper Club

According to HomeGrownIowan, the site opened during the 1920s as a gas station and a roadside cafe. It eventually became a supper club called Sedrel. It changed ownership in 1935, and the S was replaced by a C in honor of the city of Cedar Rapids. The Cedrel Supper Club was born. It became a place where people celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. It offered foods like steak, shrimp, and lobster.

When Did The Cedrel Supper Club Close?

The Cedrel Supper Club was hit by a double dose of bad luck. First, the COVID pandemic in 2019 and the following economic downturn. Then, it suffered damage during the 2020 derecho, according to HomeGrownIowan. But now, the future of the club is on hold thanks to a proposed power plant by Alliant Energy. The company is pursuing the construction of a 720-megawatt gas-fired power plant. HomeGrownIowan reports that the plant would sit on 160 acres of farmland right next to Cedrel.

Linn County's Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on October 19th to consider rezoning the land proposed for the power plant. What does that mean for the Cedrel Supper Club?

HomeGrownIowan reports that the current owner of the property has put future plans on hold. There were thoughts of turning the old club into a reception hall, and possibly getting it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But none of that matters if a power plant goes up next door.

Right now, Cedrel remains a memory for those who visited, and a lonely sign along Highway 30.

Get our free mobile app