A building that used to house one of Lincoln's most iconic restaurants is falling victim to the wrecking ball.
The longtime home of Grandmother's restaurant at 6940 A St. is being torn down this week to facilitate expansion at Nebraska Orthopaedic Center next door.
Beth Oligmueller, marketing coordinator for the medical practice, said its south location at 6900 A St. is undergoing an expansion to accommodate a new MRI center. Demolition of the Grandmother's building will provide space for additional parking for employees and patients, she said.
Nebraska Orthopaedic Center formed earlier this year when Lincoln Orthopaedic Center and Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine merged. Lincoln Orthopedic had purchased the former Grandmother's building in 2020.
The building was built in 1984 to house a second Grandmother's location in Lincoln.
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Bob Kerrey, former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator, founded the restaurant along with his brother-in-law, Dean Rasmussen, in Ralston in 1973, and they opened their first Lincoln location just off Sun Valley Boulevard in west Lincoln in 1976.
The Sun Valley location closed in 1994 and the A Street one stayed open until 2016.
After Grandmother's closed, the building was home to Tanner's Bar & Grill, which closed after less than 18 months, and then Sparta Bar & Grill, which lasted less than three months. It's been vacant since August 2018.
Retro restaurants: Do you remember these Lincoln favorites?
Grisanti's
The original sky-lit entryway of Grisanti's in 1987.
Food Village
Food Village had something for everyone at East Park Plaza in 1981.
Club Car
Owner Scott Wiegert stands outside the Club Car Grill & Bar, formerly a Chartroose Caboose, in 1987.
Dreisbach's
OK, this one isn't in Lincoln, but look at all that beef! Bob Branson selects the choicest cuts from the original walk-in cooler at Dreisbach's in Grand Island in 1982.
Terrace Grille
Diners appear to be sitting on a veranda in ancient Greece at the newly renovated Terrace Grille in the Cornhusker Hotel in 1995.
I Can't Believe It's Yogurt
Lisa McDonald (left) and Stephanie Hay help a customer at I Can't Believe It's Yogurt at 14th and O streets in 1991.
Eddy's
Eddy's at 48th and O streets had seen better days before it was demolished in 1984.
Restaurante El Mexico
Partners Laura Halterman (left) and Octavia McPhail stand outside their new Mexican restaurant at 1228 P St. in 1987.
Anna's
Joan Biasucci mans the helm of the Captain's Quarters at Anna's Restaurant in Cedar Creek in 1991.
Brittany's
The bar at Brittany's, formerly the Lincoln Underground, once graced the former Hob Nob Pub. Pictured in 1983.
HMS Brown Baggers
Owners Sherl Jensen (left), Eldonna Hazen and MaryAnn Mellor stand in their second HMS Brown Baggers location in 1989.
The Fisherman's Shoe
Hip new coffeehouse The Fisherman's Shoe opened at 16th and O streets in 1969. From the original caption: "A youth who works there describes it as 'a place to go other than the straight places.' It's name derives from Peter, Jesus' disciple. One youth said: 'Peter was a cool cat. Jesus was always on his back. He -- like us -- couldn't do anything right, but he was okay.'"
Help us out...
This 1973 photo was filed without a name. Does it look familiar to you? One reader has identified it as Misty's. Another says it's Saint George and the Dragon.
Grampy's
Road work in 1979 forced the temporary shutdown of Grampy's Pancake House.
1st Avenue
Sandy Hays and Juli Durst prep for the lunch rush at 1st Avenue in 1990.
The Bistro
So many restaurants have come and gone throughout Lincoln's history, including The Bistro, which closed its doors on Sept. 26, 1991, after 10 years in business. It's been a good run, but this concludes our look back on Lincoln's culinary history. Until next time, Bon Appétit.
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
Matt Olberding
Associate managing editor
