Midtown Western Inn and The Lodge location, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Kearney’s oldest eatery will have a new home, Element 30, the new housing project in the University Village.
The Lodge announced via social media on Thursday, April 4 that they will be relocating to the housing project. Their plan is to open at this location in September 2024.
The Lodge is having to find a new location because Buffalo County has agreed to purchase the Western Inn-Midtown and intends to demolish the location and hold the property for future county use.
The property also includes The Lodge, which opened in 1971 and is the community’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.
The Lodge has been owned and operated since 2014 by Cindy Houlden and brother Robert James. The space has been leased from Rod and Lonna Rasmussen, who own the Western Inn-Midtown property.
Houlden and James took over the restaurant located at 1401 Second Ave. from Nick and Claire Longly who started the business.
Cindy Houlden closed by saying that the situation has been shocking but The Lodge has an amazing opportunity to “continue and expand.” She said they are trying to make the best of their situation.
