Unc & Neph’s transfers ownership

After 13 years in the business, Unc & Neph’s owner Dave Sorrell sold the business to Kim and Brian Coleman.

“It was just time to retire,” Sorrell said. “No plans at all, just taking it easy for a while. I don’t have any big plans, we’re going to take a one week trip but other than that we’re not going to do anything really different.”

The bar and restaurant harbored a reputation for hosting Tuesday night fundraisers under Sorrell’s management, generally around 20-25 times per year.

“It was just an idea that I came up with, Tuesdays were a slower night and I figured it was a good night to make business a little bit better and still give to the community,” he said. “A lot of groups for the high school and junior high … more of the 4-H and track and music events, things like that.”

Sorrell said the thing he’d miss most would be the people.

“When I’m at the restaurant there’s always people coming in and out, I’m always talking with everybody,” he said. “I’ll miss visiting with the public.”

The business promises to be a new experience for husband and wife Brian and Kim Coleman, who also own Coleman Construction.

“We were just in here one night and Dave had been bugging us about buying it, he wanted someone that was already in business to buy it,” she said. “My husband Dave was like, ‘Yeah, sure, let’s do it.’ It was just in the moment.”

Coleman said no changes were planned under the new ownership.

“Dave’s really built this place up, it’s a pretty good business, it kind of runs itself,” she said. “We’re going to keep everything the same: name the same, food the same, employees the same, everything.”

Coleman said the transition was made easier by her and her husband’s status as regulars.

“We spend a lot of time in here anyway, so I’d gotten to know most of the staff already,” she said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com