A downtown building in Jefferson is forging ahead after having its doors suddenly close in 2019.

The Jefferson City Council recently sold the former Angie’s Tea Garden at 100 East State Street at their most recent meeting. The Centennial building as it is now referred to, had to close in February of 2019, due to a burst water pipe in the abandoned upper story apartment, which then flooded the restaurant on the main floor. 

Since then, the City acquired the building and installed a new roof. Following a public hearing, the Council sold the property to a private investment group called Why Not Us. As part of the process, an economic development was also established, where the City provides up to $150,000 for purchasing the building and making other improvements. The agreement is then forgivable over ten years.

Why Not Us Board member Peg Raney provided information to the Council concerning a change from their original plan of having Angie Peterson, the former owner of Angie’s Tea Garden, back in the restaurant.

“Angie is not going to be involved with this at this point now. We are excited about working with a new restaurateur and chef who is here for the long term. We’re sure that it will have a new name, but it’s the same kind of vision that we’ve had from the very beginning.”

Raney mentioned that there would be seating for 44 people and looking to design the upper story apartment space to make that usable as well. 

City Administrator Mike Palmer is excited to bring back a business to the downtown area.

“It’ll be wonderful, especially with the theme that’s going on, on the downtown, with the Stitch moving in that direction, we’ll also have the Funky Zebra coming in. It’s just a good draw. It’s kind of like an anchor store in a mall in a way. A lot of people come here to shop the other stores, and then they go to the Tea Garden for lunch.”

Raney anticipated having the building and business open by the end of this year.