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By mid-October 2008, during the peak of autumn tourism in Iowa, Breitbach's reported greater business than ever before. Owner Mike
Breitbach claimed that business had quadrupled since the Christmas Eve fire, noting, "For lunch yesterday we had 857 people." However, one week later, around 3:30am CDT
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Somewhat before 7:30am CST on
December 24, 2007, an explosion occurred in the basement, and the building was completely destroyed despite the efforts of firefighters from four different departments. While almost everything within the building was lost, none of the employees in the building were
127:, it's been owned by the Breitbachs since 1891 and is in its sixth generation of family ownership." They also indicate there was an antiques store on the premises. The opening date of 1852 and family acquisition in 1862 is supported by the history related on the restaurant's own website.
74:. Breitbach's is the oldest continuously operating restaurant and bar in the state of Iowa, having been open since August 23, 1852. The establishment has been owned and operated by the Breitbach family since 1862. The current owner is Mike Breitbach.
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The second restaurant, shown on
Independence Day, 2008. It opened on June 14, 2008 but was destroyed by fire on October 24, 2008, after a little over four months of operation. A third building was constructed in 2009 and opened on August 1 of that
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valley as seen from the property. The mural was later walled over and forgotten. Later still a remodeling effort uncovered the mural, which was restored, covered with glass and illuminated. It was a long-time feature of the restaurant.
185:'s office investigated the remains of the restaurant. Following this investigation, authorities stated that the exact cause of the fire was undetermined, but it was nothing other than an accident. Authorities stated that a
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On
January 28, 2009 it was announced that Breitbach's would rebuild. Breitbach's Country Dining re-opened in its third building on August 1, 2009.
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123:, Breitbach's opened in 1853 as a stagecoach stop. On the other hand, KOA says: "Founded in 1852 under a permit issued from President
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Several sources disagree with the 1852 opening date and the date of acquisition by the
Breitbach family. According to
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The original restaurant building, in use until the fire of
December 24, 2007. Photo by Joe Schallan, July 28, 2005.
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could not be ruled out. Breitbach announced his intention to rebuild the establishment as soon as possible.
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on
October 24, 2008, Breitbach's was once again completely destroyed by fire. Again, no injuries occurred.
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By March 2008 construction work began on the new structure. The new building, designed by Flor2 Inc. of
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Construction of the new restaurant took 69 days. Breitbach's reopened on June 14, 2008.
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Breitbach's is located at 563 Balltown Road in
Balltown. The place offers classic
471:"Breitbach's rebirth begins: Family scurries to build another Balltown restaurant"
107:, which showcased the restaurant's quality pies, as well as the 2012 documentary
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506:"An Iowa Town's Landmark, Leveled by Explosion, Is Rebuilt by Friendships"
402:"Cause of fire 'undetermined': Gas leak at Breitbach's can't be ruled out"
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591:"Breitbach's to rebuild Balltown restaurant destroyed by fire twice"
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came by. In exchange for food and lodging, one of them painted a
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injured. On
Wednesday, December 26, investigators from the
447:. Woodward Communications, Inc. 2007-12-30. Archived from
277:"BREAKING NEWS: Fire Destroys Iowa's Oldest Restaurant"
561:"Breitbach's Restaurant Burns to the Ground, Again"
245:
List of the oldest restaurants in the United States
641:Buildings and structures in Dubuque County, Iowa
181:'s office, the insurance company, and the state
602:. Woodward Communications, Inc. Archived from
482:. Woodward Communications, Inc. Archived from
413:. Woodward Communications, Inc. Archived from
384:Fire destroys landmark restaurant in Balltown
331:"Iowa's Oldest Restaurant Still Going Strong"
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646:Tourist attractions in Dubuque County, Iowa
567:. KCRG / Cedar Rapids TV Co. Archived from
537:. KCRG / Cedar Rapids TV Co. Archived from
308:. Midwest Living magazine. Archived from
97:. It has been featured in an episode of
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155:on the barroom wall of the view of the
240:List of James Beard America's Classics
200:at Breitbach's. The fire forced the
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359:Breitbach's Country Dining (website)
104:Feasting on Asphalt 2: The River Run
390:, 2007-12-24. Accessed 2007-12-25.
147:In the 1920s, a traveling group of
436:"Caucus moved to Sageville School"
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204:for that district to be moved to
196:intended to hold the district 41
504:Maag, Christopher (2008-06-14).
656:Restaurants established in 1852
589:Schmidt, Michael (2009-01-28).
531:"Hundreds Flock to Breitbach's"
529:Wiedemann, Katie (2008-10-20).
58:and bar located in the town of
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400:Becker, Stacey (2007-12-27).
283:. 2007-12-24. Archived from
631:1852 establishments in Iowa
469:Powers, C.A. (2008-03-14).
16:Historic restaurant in Iowa
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651:America's Classics winners
559:Sempf, Kurt (2008-10-24).
257:Breitbach's Country Dining
52:Breitbach's Country Dining
56:casual dining restaurant
192:Prior to the fire, the
169:Christmas Eve 2007 fire
37:42.638026°N 90.868308°W
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85:ethnic foods such as
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636:Restaurants in Iowa
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510:The New York Times
306:"Iowa Restaurants"
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382:Gravelle, Steve.
222:October 2008 fire
198:Democratic caucus
79:Midwestern dishes
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99:Food Network
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388:The Gazette
355:"Our Story"
157:Mississippi
40: /
625:Categories
610:2010-06-22
575:2010-06-22
545:2010-06-22
515:2010-04-26
490:2008-03-16
455:2007-12-30
421:2007-12-27
369:2010-06-22
340:2007-11-23
316:2007-11-23
291:2007-12-24
263:References
213:Des Moines
87:sauerkraut
28:90°52′06″W
25:42°38′17″N
565:KCRG.com
535:KCRG.com
234:See also
187:gas leak
95:coleslaw
60:Balltown
596:Dubuque
476:Dubuque
441:Dubuque
407:Dubuque
281:KWWL TV
179:sheriff
149:gypsies
115:History
91:sausage
202:caucus
93:, and
83:German
164:Fires
153:mural
143:year.
54:is a
68:Iowa
335:KOA
101:'s
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