The wait is almost over for one Jefferson-based restaurant that has undergone extensive renovations.

The Centennial at 100 East State Street will officially open on Tuesday. Restaurateur Sara Ostrander tells Raccoon Valley Radio she will offer homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts and she will have a rotating menu.

“Things will change every few weeks, we will update the menu. That is really what excited me the most about this project is being able to not get stuck in a set menu because I would get tired of cooking the same things all the time, and I know locals would probably get tired of eating the same thing all the time. As of right now, I am a one woman show in the kitchen, but all these things are things that I’ve made throughout my career and tired with other co-workers, and tired at home, and with the family, and at other establishments. And so I think we will have a good mix of things that people will love.”    

The Centennial building is owned by a group of women called Why Not Us who are also renovating the upstairs apartments. The building, which housed Angie’s Teagarden, was closed in 2019 after a broken water line flooded the interior. Then the Jefferson City Council purchased the facility and stabilized it to the point where Why Not Us stepped in and took over ownership.    

Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community Events and Tourism Coordinator Matt Wetrich points out the interior of the restaurant is vastly different than when it was Angie’s Teagarden, with a lot of local businesses helping to pull the look together.

“The first thing that comes to mind is they have windows back in the building. Honestly, it’s been (since the) early half of the 1900s when there was windows in that building before they closed it up. And so to have that natural light in there, it’s really, really neat. Dan Meythaler did a neat remake of the historical photo that’s on the wall. I know Bonnie (Silbaugh) is doing flowers for them on the tables from Fudge’s (Flowers and Gifts). It’s really simple (and) elegant looking in there right now.”     

Other local inspirations include Sensibly Chic donating decor items for the restroom area and Shane Olson of Olson Iron Works created the exterior sign. The Centennial: Contemporary Taste, Historical Charm will be open from 11am-2pm Monday through Friday for lunch and from 2-4pm they will serve desserts and coffee. Reservations are encouraged to ensure seating by calling them at 515-386-3888.