Popular Eastern Iowa Restaurant Still Closed, Can’t Find Workers

The shape of those shrimp says so much. They'd "love" to be able to welcome customers again regularly, and the feeling is mutual with the people who miss their food so much.

I know you well remember the COVID shutdown that started in March of 2020. Many restaurants weren't able to make it through but one eastern Iowa favorite did, at least for a time.

Teddy's Barn and Grill, just northeast of Amber in Jones County, pivoted when the shutdown started. Owners Deb and Scott Behrends began offering carryout meals in mid-March of 2020. By the beginning of April, they scaled it back to Friday nights only, through Lent. At that point, they closed and they waited.

That July, Teddy's announced their plan to reopen in early fall and their need for help. The owners revealed they'd "lost 3 cooks, 2 long-term servers, and many high school kids."

After a short time open in the fall of 2020, Teddy's was sidelined when Deb came down with COVID. Even though they'd been doing some catering events, the battle to reopen the restaurant fully was just beginning.

By the fall of 2021, Teddy's announced the struggle to find workers was continuing. Their Facebook page then fell silent, until Sunday, August 28, 2022. In the post, they shared that finding staff remains a major issue, so they remain closed except for catering. Deb revealed that they still hope to reopen:

"We have been humbled and honored by all the kind and encouraging messages you have sent by phone and FB. It means so much! At this time, I believe our best chance of successful reopening will be next Spring."

Teddy's Barn and Grill's owners and customers all hope that next spring the doors will indeed reopen for its special atmosphere and tasty food.

Below is the interior of the barn that would become Teddy's Barn and Grill before it was remodeled.

The amazing transformation is complete. Teddy's opened in the spring of 2012.

The outdoor patio.

A very unique Iowa restaurant.