The Lucky Cat, which has hosted comedy shows and other events in downtown Cedar Rapids since 2018, will be closing its doors in February 2024.
Co-owner Haley Flenker said she and her husband Travis have decided to close The Lucky Cat, in the Kingston Village neighborhood at 301 Second Ave. SW, when the business’ lease expires at the end of February 2024.
“It’s been a labor of love, and we are fortunate to have been part of such an incredible community,” The Lucky Cat said in a Facebook post Thursday, Dec. 7 announcing the decision. “We are eternally grateful to everyone who has supported us these last several years. And to the comics who have been a part of this since the Thew open mic days – we would not still be here without you and it is because of you that this decision was so hard. We are so proud of you and will continue to support you in any way we can.”
The post also noted that the weekly Tuesday open mic events will be moving to the Iowa Brewing Company, beginning in March 2024.
The Lucky Cat began operations in March 2018 as Thew Brewing, and began hosting comedy shows early on. The business has since hosted weekly open mic events, local showcases, regional headliners and national touring acts.
Thew Brewing ended operations in April 2022, and thereafter, The Lucky Cat shifted the focus of its business to comedy and events.
“Things were going well for us initially, but the post-pandemic bounceback was not as quick and vibrant as we had hoped it would be,” Ms. Flenker said in a CBJ story in June 2022. “So,we started to look at what we wanted to do and what made sense for us, and what was working really well were events, and comedy in particular.”
The Lucky Cat has also hosted many other events, including Lexi Belle’s Drag Bingo, Sunday Morning Yoga, Pub Trivia, monthly Cork N Canvas events and pottery classes with the Ceramics Center of Iowa.
In addition, The Lucky Cat has raised funds for several community causes, including the Tanager Place LGBTQ+ Youth Center, Willis Dady Homeless Services, Together We Achieve, Cedar Rapids Pride and derecho relief efforts.
Anyone who may be interested in buying the business is asked to contact travis@theluckycatcr.com
