Citizens of Mechanicsville have a place to stop for food and beverages again! The small Iowa town is now home to a new bar & restaurant called Charley Rae’s.
About Charley Rae’s
Located at 211 E 1st St, Charley Rae’s is the only bar & restaurant located in Mechanicsville. The Cedar County town, which has a population of just over 1,000 people, hasn’t had a restaurant since February of 2024, when Rusty Rench Bar & Grill closed its doors in the same spot. Prior to Rusty Rench, the building was home to Bubba’s Sports Bar & Grill for more than 20 years. According to an article from KCCI, Bubba’s closed in the spring of 2021 after the owners decided to retire.
The owner of Charley Rae’s is Shawnee Starz, who says she has more that 40 years of experience working in bars and restaurants all over the U.S. In fact, she actually bartended in Mechanicsville in recent years! Shawnee said that, out of all the places she’s worked, small towns are her her favorite place to be. A post from the business’ Facebook page reads:
“We are passionate about establishing a family-friendly spot that will be serving lunch and dinner to all ages, as well as a late-night spot for adults to socialize and enjoy occasional entertainment. With my prior experience bartending at this location and at Hammers in Olin, I have formed lasting bonds with some of the community. I am eager to contribute to creating a welcoming space that will become a hub for shared experiences and memories for others.”…