Waverly Restaurant Closes Its Doors After Two Decades

A Waverly restaurant that has been around for decades is officially closing its doors for good.

Get our free mobile app

The past two years have been a tough one for the food and service industry. With the pandemic changing the way we go out to eat and labor shortages galore; it has not been an easy time to be in the industry.

One Waverly eatery is saying goodbye at the end of May. 

In April, Matt Lamos, the owner of the East Bremer Diner made the announcement on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for our staff and our community. As with all things, moving on isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary.”

After more than twenty years in business, the diner will close its doors for good.

“I have been having conversations with those close to me for years about when it would be my time to transition away from the Diner,” Lamos said in the letter to customers.

Lamos has owned and operated the diner for six years now. In the public statement, he celebrated the original owners of the diner, Don and Sue Landau.

“Multiple restaurants he started over 20 years ago are still going strong.”

Currently, there is no plan for someone else to take over the business. Lamos said they are leaving the business “in a good spot” in case someone does want to come in. Also, he said that this is a good time to make this transition because there are so many different employment options for the staff right now.

The official last day for this beloved diner will be May 29th.

Several new spots opened last year in the Cedar Valley. A take-out-friendly restaurant called  Carter House opened right next to the Black Hawk Hotel in Cedar Falls. In addition, a restaurant located in the same spot as Santa's Workshop in Cedar Falls just opened its doors, it's called Georges.

ICON Donut, a popular spot in Waterloo expanded and opened in Cedar Falls at the end of November.