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Libations on Iowa opens in Washington, filling vacant downtown space
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WASHINGTON — Downtown Washington gained a vibrant new addition when Libations on Iowa officially opened its doors to a crowd of eager residents, local leaders, and business owners just before lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The much-anticipated grand opening of the restaurant and bar at 106 South Iowa Avenue marked not only a milestone for owner Megan Libe, but also the revival of a historic space that sat empty for years.
The celebration began promptly at 10:45 a.m., when members of the Washington Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Washington joined Libe and her staff for a ribbon cutting and confetti pop.
“Thank you all for joining us this extremely exciting and much anticipated grand opening,” Chamber Director Michelle Redlinger said. “We are excited to partner on this celebration.”
As part of the celebration, Redlinger presented Libe with Libations on Iowa’s symbolic first dollar and a certificate of special recognition, honoring the business’s contribution to the community.
“The chamber ambassadors, we have your first dollar that we’d like to present to you, as well as a supervision of special recognition for Libations on Iowa, acknowledgment of your grand opening and dedicated efforts to the investment into Washington,” Redlinger said. “The Washington Chamber Ambassadors and Main Street celebrate with you on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.”
After the ribbon fell and the confetti flew, the crowd moved inside to enjoy lunch service, which began shortly after 11 a.m. Guests filled the newly renovated restaurant to sample flatbreads, shareable appetizers, and colorful cocktails. The space, which balances industrial design with warmth, buzzed with conversation and celebration.
The story of the building itself tells a deeper story of downtown revitalization. According to Samantha Meyer, Executive Director of Main Street Washington, the organization worked closely with Libe for nearly a year to bring the project to life.
“Megan [Libe] is the one that I think solidified this project and grant,” Meyer said, noting that Libations on Iowa was made possible through a $100,000 Main Street Challenge Grant and Downtown Investment Grant awarded in November 2024.
The funding came from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs, designed to help revitalize historic buildings.
The two-story brick building at 106 South Iowa Avenue has stood on Washington’s square since 1872, originally built by the Adair Brothers as a drugstore. Over the decades, it housed dry goods and clothing stores before becoming The Antique Mall in 2012. The building then sat vacant for years — until Libe and her partners stepped in.
“Libations on Iowa is serving up next-level mixed drinks, incredible service, and cozy vibes you’ll want to linger in,” the Washington Economic Development Group wrote in a statement. “Exposed brick, warm lighting, and seating that just begs for good conversation. Megan and her husband are successful entrepreneurs who continued to make life better for those around them. With a bit of help from the Main Street Challenge Grant, they were able to bring this dream to fruition.”
Meyer said state representatives will visit the restaurant next month to see firsthand how the grant has transformed the downtown block. She explained that the project shows how Main Street programs can breathe new life into empty spaces and support local entrepreneurship.
For Libe, the grand opening was more than a business milestone; it was the culmination of years of growth and a leap of faith.
“I’m so excited and scared, but it’s going to be great,” she said during the opening. “I have the best staff and everybody has done so good.”
After introducing her employees, many of them friends and family, and a few brief words about the business and this experience, Libe invited everyone inside.
“We’re excited to have all of you guys come in and drink and eat and we’ll have events planned,” she said.
While the whole business showcases an industrial aesthetic paired with warm lighting and inviting art, the upstairs and downstairs differ.
Downstairs patrons walk into a space with a beautiful bar and cozy tables below hanging edison lights while the upstairs space gives an open area designed for meetings and celebrations for private events and community gatherings. Libe says Libations on Iowa is already prepared to begin renting out the upstairs
This dual purpose business reflects Libe’s hands-on approach to hospitality and her creative roots.
Before opening Libations on Iowa, Libe built a reputation for good drinks and great service through her mobile bartending business, The Tipsy Traveler. Launched in 2021, the business quickly became a favorite at weddings and events across southeast Iowa for offering flexible, elevated drink service. That entrepreneurial drive helped her transition from serving drinks on the road to also managing a full restaurant.
Her success hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Last month, the Iowa Restaurant Association named Libe one of the 40 Women to Watch in Iowa’s Hospitality Industry. For a self-described “animal lover, mother, wife, goat enthusiast, and full-time dispatch professional,” the recognition underscores just how far her passion project has come.
On her Tipsy Traveler website, Libe reflects on that journey:
“I began this mobile bar business in 2021 and I never imagined I would be where I am today with it! I have learned so much over the years, and I still learn daily! I love working closely with my clients to ensure their bar needs and wants are met.”
That same love of connection and craft now defines Libations on Iowa, where locals can sip dessert martinis, try shimmering cocktails, and unwind in the kind of atmosphere Libe once dreamed of creating.
From an empty storefront to a glowing new business on the square, Libations on Iowa stands as both a testament to small-town entrepreneurship and a sign of the city’s growing momentum.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
