A Well-Known Czech Village Name Reopens Friday

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Dec 17, 2008 at 5:27 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 17, 2008 at 5:27 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS- Slowly...but surely...some of the well-known business named identified with Cedar Rapids' Czech Village are bouncing back from the flood.

And the latest example reopens for business Friday.

Al's Red Frog has been around for nearly 30 years under the same name. But like so many other Czech Village businesses it got swamped by flood water back in June. But the owner says her return this week is just one more sign the historic district is coming back to life.

When Deb Anson bought the flooded out bar and restaurant from her brother this fall...after the flood...it had definitely seen better days. Eight feet of flood water meant there wasn't much worth saving except for a mural on a wall. That's why everything inside is new.

Anson took on $200,000 of debt to rebuild what was a paid-off business pre-flood. Although she's managed the bar for about 27 years...borrowing that much money is like starting over as a new business.

Anson said "it's scary, it's scary...but you know what? The phone's been ringing off the wall 'are you open yet...are you open yet?' So that's a good sign."

All of Czech village could use a good sign like a returning night spot. Some well know names aren't coming back--like the nearby Polena's Meat Market. But Anson says she knows others are making plans. The Czech Village that emerges post flood will be a mix of old familiar business names and newcomers.

Anson said "there are some vacant buildings down here but it's been six months--it will be awhile...it can't happen overnight. You'd like it to--but it's not going to."

Anson says she tried getting assistance from government sources after the flood but didn't have a lot of luck. It turned out the quicker road back for her was to borrow money from a bank and just get started.

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