Where the Raccoon River Valley Trail crosses U.S. Highway 169 in Minburn, cyclists and others will find Crossings, a newly opened bistro serving breakfast and lunch in the recently moved and restored Minburn Depot.
“This is our third day open,” said Kathy Bice, longtime Dallas County resident, as she stood behind the counter at lunchtime during Tuesday’s cool rain. “The first two days were very busy here, so this is kind of nice. It gives us a chance to catch our breath and see what a slow day would be like.”
With about eight tables indoors and half-a-dozen more on the patio in front, Crossings offers casual dining in a coffeehouse atmosphere. The 100-year-old depot’s dark wainscoting and door moldings are relieved by the light from its many windows.
The Crossings menu is still evolving, said Bice’s co-owner and daughter-in-law Amy Culp, who noted forthcoming cheese balls on the lunch menu. They open every day at 6 a.m. for breakfast and will stay open until at least 7 p.m. during the week and 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Those hours are flexible,” Culp said. “We’ll stay open as late as we need to if people are here.” Culp is the former manager of Cool Beans coffeehouse in Adel.
Jessica Miller of Minburn is also a cook at Crossings.
Bice said her hope for running a cafe in the depot is almost 10 years old. She heard nine years ago from Minburn City Clerk Sue Fitch about the possibility of moving the depot, she said. When Bice retired three years ago, her name was still on the Minburn Betterment Committee’s list of people interested in operating out of the depot.
Restoration of the depot was a $1.2 million project, largely financed by federal and state historic restoration tax credits. Architectural historian Sheriffa Jones, owner of Spencer-based Preservation Works, guided Minburn’s application for tax credits through the process.
By the time the depot was moved and the historic restoration tax credits had paid for the interior work, she found she was the only one still on the list.
“The Minburn Betterment Committee has been a big help to us,” Bice said, “especially Megan Cline, and the city of Minburn helped with licenses.”
Crossings has a full bar and wants to promote Iowa wines. It currently stocks wine from the Penoach vineyard near Adel.
Crossings is located at 210 Fourth St. in Minburn. You can contact Crossings at 515-677-2040 or crossings@minburncomm.net.
Fantastic! The Crossings, is an absolute great addition to both Minbur and for the trails.
Best wishes to all. We will be visiting soon!
Went for lunch with three friends today. Made for a great little road trip on a beautiful fall day. Had the taco salad. Huge and delicious. Looking forward to going back in the near future.