Eastern Iowa Restaurant Closing After 41 Years of Business

The pandemic was tough on many different sectors of our economy. But perhaps no one has paid a steeper price than the restaurant industry. Couple the pandemic with rising costs due to inflation and a worker shortage and it's tough for many establishments to stay open. That is the case, unfortunately, for a restaurant in the Eastern Iowa town of Lisbon.

KCRG reports that Gwen's restaurant will soon be closing its doors for good. The Lisbon eatery first opened back in 1980 and will close after over 41 years in business. Gwen Drahos and her family have run the restaurant for generations. The closing comes after several restaurants in nearby Mt. Vernon also closed their doors. Gwen told KCRG that for the first time that she can remember they're dealing with an increase in the cost of labor and an increase in the cost of goods. She added that she was concerned about having to raise menu prices above what her customers felt comfortable with.

Gwen also told KCRG that it is time to slow down. She plans on living in Arizona during the winter months but will still do "a few banquets and catering". Gwen stated that she is grateful the business was open long enough for her children and grandchildren to work there. She says that she plans on putting the building up for sale after the restaurant closes. Gwen's final day of business in Lisbon will be on July 2nd.