A new restaurant in downtown Jefferson recently opened.

Jefferson Matters Director Matt Wetrich says The Public House and Lounge is owned by Amanda and Addi Bills, on the corner of East State and North Chestnut Streets on the square. He explains that the restaurant took a few years to come to fruition, but that they renovated the entire two-story building. Wetrich notes that some of the funding included a Community Development Block Grant Upper Story Living from Iowa Economic Development Authority that assisted improving all of the apartments and it required full occupancy before the main floor could be transformed from a former hardware store into a restaurant. 

Wetrich points out that the Bills also received a Challenge Grant through Main Street Iowa that helped with those renovations. He talks about the impressive work that it took to keep a cornerstone of a building standing strong on the downtown square.

“They could’ve built a whole new building out on the highway and save time and money and done that. But they really felt strongly about utilizing an existing downtown building, a historic building, and being on the square, being in the Main Street District and being a part of that whole scene.”  

Wetrich details that The Public House is now open to the public and shares that when he was there, the atmosphere was fantastic and the food was amazing. He urges people to check it out for themselves, but to also realize that their over 30 employee staff are still getting settled.

“And just with some grace everybody’s going to make it through together, and they’re doing wonderful. They have a lot of young staff, so a lot of teenage kids you’ll see in there waiting tables, and even cooking food, and doing all of the things, and of course Amanda and Addi leading the charge.”

Wetrich adds that The Public House and Lounge is open for the evenings at 5pm, but will have plans to be open for more hours and during lunch in the future.