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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
My Biz: Historic Stone City building now hosting special events
Since 1893, it’s been a quarry office, a post office, a home, a pub
Stone City General Store owner Tad Larson opens a bottle of wine as he talks with Christine Still on Saturday during a birthday party at the historic Stone City venue. The building, built in 1893, served as a post office, rail depot, quarry office and meeting spot for artists associated with the Grant Wood Art Colony before it became a pub. Larson, a fan of historic buildings, closed the pub in 2023 and reopened the building as a special events venue. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Jan Hoag (left) talks to T.J. Davis about his cowboy hat during the 30th birthday party for Bri Huss at the Stone City General Store in Stone City on Jan. 11. Hoag manages the special events venue, which is owned by her brother, Tad Larson. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
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In 1930, the same year he painted the iconic “American Gothic,” Grant Wood set his easel on a hillside overlooking the village of Stone City along the Wapsipinicon River in his native Jones County.
The result, titled “Stone City, Iowa,” depicts a tiny figure on horseback riding past the town’s landmark features: the brick church at the foot of the hill, the bridge over the river, and the general store.
People still come to Stone City looking for that view. Many knock on the door of the general store “every once in a while,” according to Trish Langdon.
“If there’s something going on, a lot of people are gracious, and they’ll say, ‘That’s OK, you can come down and have a beer.’ ”
Langdon manages the General Store for her brother, Tad Larson, the owner.
“He just loves history and architecture and old buildings,” said Langdon, 61, who lives nearby.
The building
Built in 1893 of limestone blocks quarried there, the building at various times housed offices for Stone City’s quarry, its post office, and its depot on the railroad branch line, since abandoned, that ran along the river. The building was a residence when Larson bought it in 1996.
The Stone City General Store operated as a bar and grill, especially popular with canoers, kayakers and summertime weekend visitors, until November 2023. Staffing difficulties prompted Larson to convert the historic structure to an events venue.
“COVID certainly didn’t help, and then we couldn’t find staff,” Langdon said. “I could have helped in the front of the house, but the kitchen is different. You have to have some amazing mindset to get all that organized and (orders) out at the same time.”
Larson also works at the Rock Island Arsenal.
“That’s his full-time job and he also runs the family farm and every weekend he was here,” said Langdon, who works in Anamosa Middle School’s kitchen. “He drives three hours every day. He doesn’t get home until 5:30, then he’s doing chores.”
Happy with events
The landmark’s caretakers are happy with the change to booking events.
“It’s a lot less stress,” Langdon said. “It’s awesome not to have to spend all day Thursday through Sunday here.”
The General Store hosted 36 events last year, with outdoor gatherings centered on the grain bin repurposed as a pavilion and bar.
“Birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers,” Langdon said. “Two three-day weddings, and one small wedding with the tents outside and the grain bin as the main bar (that) used the building more as a restroom facility and a place to get ready.”
With food prepared by caterers in the store’s kitchen, staffing is easier, too.
“We have to provide the bar because we still have the liquor license,” Langdon said. “Tad and I do most of it, unless there’s something big going on. Then we hire bartenders.”
Bin Bashes coming
With a little planning, casual visitors still can experience the General Store, which can be rented for as little as $200 for four hours, bartender included.
“If you’ve got 10 couples together, you can pay that $200 real quick,” Langdon said. “We’ve got the fireplaces going during the winter. This Saturday, we have a birthday party with music.”
Live music is booked for four public “Bin Bashes” on Saturdays and one Sunday this summer. Dates and details are posted on the General Store Pub Facebook page.
“We’re kind of excited about it,” Langdon said. “We had one last year that was kind of local, so we’re throwing it open to everybody. It’s such a fun building to share and a unique atmosphere. We hope people find it and know that it’s available.”
Signed photographs from performers who’ve played at Stone City General Store are displayed on a wall at the venue Jan. 11 in Stone City in Jones County. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Stone City General Store manager Tris Langdon hugs Bailey Adams during a birthday party Jan. 11 at the special events venue she and her brother run in Stone City. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Stone City General Store
Owner: Tad Larson
Address: 12612 Stone City Rd., Anamosa
Phone: (319) 310-3807
Website: generalstoreevents.com; facebook.com/StoneCityGeneralStore/
Know a business that should be considered for a “My Biz” feature? Let us know by emailing mary.sharp@thegazette.com.
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