New Lounge for Cedar Rapids Youth Now Open

The owners of a new lounge for teens and younger kids in Cedar Rapids say their goal is to provide local youth with an opportunity to have their own space to have fun.

Dutch Teen Lounge is now open in Cedar Rapids, owned by Tanya Larson and Roni Robertson. Larson told me they started the new business venture on Cedar Rapids' northeast side to "keep kids off the street but also give them the freedom to be themselves; hang out with friends, dance, take pictures, and meet new kids from the community".

Larson says that the new spot for kids and teens has a dance floor, some games, a photo booth, VIP Lounge, a gift shop that has drinks, snacks, and more, and there's even a red carpet runway. According to Larson, "we will have more than enough security, which we call chaperones, and we have a strict no violence policy." To that end, they'll have a no-readmittance policy.

Located in the Kenwood Plaza at 3318 1st Avenue NE, Dutch Teen Lounge opened last weekend and current hours are Friday and Saturday nights from 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Between 4:30 and 9 p.m., it's open to kids from 4th through 8th grade. From 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m, high school students are welcomed in. Dutch Teen Lounge is hosting a Grand Opening Event on Black Friday, November 26. You can learn more on their Facebook page.

Below are a couple of photos provided to us by Dutch Teen Lounge, whose slogan is "Encouraging Entertainment". We wish them the very best in their new venture as they look to make a difference for kids in the community!