The Quarter Barrel Arcade and Brewery, 616 2nd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, was full of lively patrons on Valentine’s Day. Many of them a part of the newly-formed Winter Supper Club.
Cedar Rapids City Council member, David Maier, wanted to create a way to bring the community together, for a chance to socialize and support local restaurants through the winter months.
To do this, Mr. Maier started the Winter Supper Club and launched a Facebook group to keep the community engaged and informed. The Facebook group consists of more than 400 members ranging from couples to singles to families.
More than 40 club members were in attendance at the Quarter Barrel – socializing, playing arcade games and engaging friendly conversations.
“It’s a great event, an opportunity to try new places, meet new people, get out of my shell type of thing,” said Joe Stutler, first-time attendee of the Winter Supper Club. “We’ve been cooped up the past few years with COVID-19 and we’ve forgotten how to socialize.”
The club has already hosted several meetings at various restaurants throughout the Corridor including Phong Lan, Vietnamese Restaurant, 8th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, and other local Mexican and Italian restaurants.
The club typically gathers in the evenings, not only supporting the local businesses they patronize monetarily, but also contributing a vibrant and lively atmosphere – something many restaurants find hard to capture in the winter.
“This is an organized, but more organic way for people to get together,” Club organizer Mr. Maier said about the success of the Winter Supper Club. “We go out of our way to make sure people are welcome and comfortable – no awkwardness.”
Mr. Maier said he hopes that the club continues to “branch out” and inspires its members to attend other Cedar Rapids events, concerts, and more.
The club plans to diversify and expand as the winter season continues.
