The Rusty Rench (intentional misspelling we'll get to later) is about to open in the small Cedar County town of Mechanicsville. Owners Jake Brummer and Amy Winker have been at the helm of the revamped Red Frog for about a year. Their original venture into the bar business was botched by the derecho, shortly after having bought what they turned into the Kingston Pub at 729 1st Ave. SE. That never got off the ground thanks to irreparable damage from the storm but their new venture looks to fill another void. Their goal is to be the biggest and only live music venue in Mechanicsville. About 30 minutes from Cedar Rapids, it holds up to 300 guests.

The venue has been there for over 45 years, and prior to its life as a bar, it was a farm equipment company. They took the name "Rusty Rench" (RR) as an homage to the fine blue-collar, and specifically railroad workers of the area that have been regulars of the bar across its history, including previously as "Bubba's".

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Jake and Amy plan a soft opening for September 7th with the official grand opening on September 18th, and invite you to show up and have a good time. They want their small-town local vibe to stand next to some of the better-known venues in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere in Eastern Iowa in terms of the local entertainment and music they provide. Get in touch with them at (319) 213-6110 and check out their Facebook page for more details.

Honoring historic railways and their workers is a theme at this way-cool Airbnb less than an hour away from Cedar Rapids as well.

All Aboard! Train Depot Airbnb in Washington, Iowa

The blue-collar tributes continue back in Cedar Rapids with this former home base of Hose Co. #4, now an amazing space up for rental on Airbnb.

Cedar Rapids 1916 Authentic Bohemian Firehouse Airbnb

Photos of original 1916 Authentic Firehouse in NewBo

 

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