EDGERTON, Mo. — The most iconic business in one small northern Platte County town received a recent update and change to its business model.
The owners of Harmer’s Café installed a new bar and have begun serving beer at later hours past when the restaurant closes. The same homestyle food continues to be served from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., but the bar, which serves beer only, stays open on weekdays as bar business dictates with service until 1:30 p.m. on most Friday and Saturday nights.
Karen Belt, owner and daughter of the original Harmers who opened the restaurant nearly 50 years ago, said the bar area offers homemade pizzas with the potential to expand to appetizers if needed.
The reception of the change has been mixed, according to Belt. Harmer’s announced the change late in December on its Facebook page. To accommodate the new bar area, owners moved some dining tables but also added a pool table.
“A lot of them just aren’t adjusted to it yet, but some of them just love it,” Belt said.
Customers asked Belt about the possibility of a bar when Gracie’s Bar, located just down the road on W. Frank Street, closed in March. The previous owner now works at Harmer’s and said she closed the business and sold the building when the collapse of a support beam led to structural damage.
The Gracie’s Bar building has signage on the front of its brick façade showing the brick structure dates to 1905. The area around the building remains cordoned off from the public while it’s unclear if the building itself will be demolished at some point.
Meanwhile, Harmer’s, located at 501 W. Frank Street, has stepped up to fill the bar void in Edgerton.