Hamburg Inn No. 2, the historic Iowa City diner known for its “Coffee Bean Caucus” and visits from politicians and presidents, may close, at least temporarily, after serving customers in Iowa City for decades, a longtime employee said.
Hamburg Inn’s manager, Robert “Ajax” Ehl confirmed the restaurant’s closure to the Press-Citizen on Friday. Jan. 8, 2023, will be its last day serving customers, he said. Ehl said the business is not making enough money to cover its bills.
Ehl said it is “up to the owner” whether the closure is permanent or temporary. Michael Lee owns both the building at 214 N Linn Street and the business itself after he purchased it from the Panther family in 2016.
“The bottom line is I can’t stay open if I can’t pay my employees and I’m not going to ask them to work for free,” said Ehl, who started as a dishwasher 18 years ago and became manager nine months ago.
