I have been having a love affair with Clayton ever since I first visited only three weeks ago. I had always heard the town was small so I thought maybe it was like Gunder, a restaurant and a couple of houses and a church. I was very surprised as the town was bigger than I thought and so quaint. Located right on the river there is a laid-back atmosphere that makes every home seem like a vacation getaway. People drive golf carts and boats are always in view on the Mississippi pulling kids on skis and inflatables.
Today marked Clayton River Fest, an afternoon and evening full of great bands rain or shine. Even with the cool temperatures the tents began filling up right away. The husband and I decided to start our experience with eating at The Clayton Lighthouse. Although not technically a lighthouse (or so I think not by it’s square build and only being two stories high) the restaurant is at a great location. With windows all around there is an excellent view of the river if a train is not passing through. While some restaurants claim excellent views, this restaurant’s got them.
I’m not sure how long the Clayton Lighthouse has been in business, but the decor says that the building has definitely been around sine the 70s. I love retro decor and this place has it; wood paneled walls, bathrooms lined with crushed velvet flower wallpaper (see photo), and the bar encircled with red cushioning.
The atmosphere for lunch at the Clayton Light House was just as laid-back as the town seemed. Being that it was also River Fest convertibles rolled in with bull horns mounted on their hoods and people sported flashing light sunglasses. Most of the excitement was happening in the bar. As for us lunch eaters, we pretty much had the rest of the large space to ourselves.
Lunch at The Clayton Lighthouse consisted of a limited sandwich menu. Although I was tempted by the full menu of steak and seafood on the additional pages, I ordered a bbq pork sandwich that was delicious. Served a la carte I also sided my sandwich with some deep fried cheese curds and a Pepsi (all pop served in cans). Also looking appetizing was the large blt sandwich. The service was also good and price was practical.

Overall Experience:
Food: Lunch servings fulfilling, tasteful and good proportions.
Appearance: Retro atmosphere with great views of the Mississippi River. Lots of room.
Price: Average. Lunch was around $9 for sandwich, side, and drink
Service: Laid-back, nice

Todd Olson, owner of the Luana Tavern, is in hog heaven this week because his restaurant was selected as the 2008, Clayton County Pork Producers Restaurant of the year. Olson’s, Luana Tap is famous for their unique Pork Tenderloins selections. “ We serve a pile of plain, barbeque and apple cinnamon flavored pork tenderloins,” explains Olson.

The full service bar and restaurant offers an large menu containing plenty of pork products. The Luana, IA restaurant also proudly serves pork fritters, pork steak, pork chops and hot pork sandwiches. “This was a great honor for me,” says Olson upon receiving the award. He is very glad to credit, in part, his sale of Iowa pork products for the success of his restaurant business.

The Luana Tavern is open seven days a week. The hard working Olson bought the operation two years ago. In his two year stint as the new owner of the Luana Tavern, Olson has developed a standing room only crowd most Friday and Saturday Nights with the following Friday and Saturday Night Specials.

The gift of our great Earth is by far something to treasure and more so to protect. ~Originally written for Earth Day 2007

As the authors of the immensely popular “The Green Consumer” point out on page one of their book, at every twist in turn in life we have the opportunity to make a decision that in some way impacts the planet we live on. Finish a painting project and pour left over paint down the drain or on the ground you are probably impacting the groundwater table. Buy a Happy Meal and you are helping to fill our landfills. Use an aerosol spray and you carve your own personal hole in the ozone layer.

During the last 30 years, it has been difficult to not be aware of the environmental protection issues that plague or planet. The good news is: in many cases our world does seem to be slightly less consumptive. It seems like many, at least, understand what things negatively impact the environment. More than ever consumers are making decisions solely because they know it is the right thing to do for Mother Earth.

Beth Rentschler, owner of Elkader Carpet and Design Center, has made a green commitment to the way she does business. In the way she does business, she does the right thing for Mother Earth. Beth is a realistic environmentalist. She says, “Even though we don’t go 100% green, every little bit helps.” Beth is very proud of her “green” product line.

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1/05

The Franklin Hotel is situated as Strawberry Point’s cornerstone. Instantly, as you drive through town your eyes are drawn to this charming attraction. Positioned on the corner of Highway 3 and 13, The Franklin is a very inviting building and seems to generate the curiosity of each passerby. Inside guests are immediately struck by the spaciousness and old world detail of the impressive lobby. From the lobby, visitors can choose to enter either the hotel’s pub, the very quaint dining room and coffee shop or take the grand staircase to the guest rooms.

The Franklin Hotel’s history dates back to the early 1850’s. Prior to it formally being branded the Franklin Hotel in 1902, when the current brick building structure was constructed, a framed building existed at this site known as The Rawson House. The 1850’s were a time of stagecoaches and the early railroad. The Rawson House was a resting and dining stop for railroad men and other travelers. Today, the Franklin Hotel continues to serve as a resting stop for many Iowa travelers.

History buffs love to walk in and talk to the current owners, Kris and Doug Schmidt. They want to talk about the history of the Franklin Hotel and the history of Strawberry Point. Kris exclaims, “You can’t work at the Franklin Hotel and not know the story.” Kris should know because as owners of the Franklin, she and Doug have carved their own spot into the town’s history.

Kris grew up in Strawberry Point and is very familiar with town. Kris is the daughter of Charles and Lu Eck. The Eck’s are former owners of the Franklin Hotel, which is where this story begins. When Kris left Strawberry for college she vowed to spend her time after college working and living in a bigger city. While she was a student in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at Iowa State University in the mid 1980’s her parents bought and began operating the Franklin Hotel.

Upon her graduation, in fulfillment of her dream, Kris moved to the twin cities. It was there she met her husband Doug Schmidt. Doug is a native of St. Paul and is a professional chef. At that time, he was building a career working as a managing chef for various large volume cafeteria food service companies and a few local supper clubs. He loves being involved with food businesses and comments, “ I was made to work in the service industry.” Doug and Kris met while employed by Marriott Contract Food Services. Eventually they married and became parents of two children, Elizabeth and Joseph.

In 1989, back in Strawberry Point, Kris’s parents had decided to give up their reins at the Franklin Hotel. They wondered if Kris and Doug would be interested in buying it. Doug was immediately interested in the idea. Kris, however was a little more cool to the concept, she says, “ Doug likes to experiment with food and I wondered how that would work, compared to the taste of customers in a small town.” Not to mention Doug had no idea what it would be like to live in a very small town. Kris also was not crazy about moving back to her hometown she had really grown to love the fast pace of big city life. However, she did know that Strawberry Point would be a great place to raise their children.

Therefore, on April 1st, 1989 they became the official operators of the Franklin Hotel. Now, Kris smiles and says, “it really has been great, the whole town is like Cheers, ‘where everybody knows your name.’” Kris continues expressing that Doug is very involved with promoting Strawberry Point. Doug has served as a city councilperson for many years and is very interested in the economic development and the image of the town, he comments, “We all work hard to keep things going.” Kris remarks, “ All he thinks about is Strawberry Point.”

Here, the couple have lived, worked and raised their children for the past sixteen years. The Schmitt’s have done really major renovations over the years to the hotel rooms, the dining room, pub and banquet facility. As a genuine, full-service operator Doug states, “We always have a project, just sometimes the project is not what we prefer to work on like a compressor or something.”

While inside the facility, patrons of the Franklin Hotel become quickly aware of ‘all things strawberry.’ The Franklin Hotel is whole-heartedly dedicated to the tradition and spirit of Strawberry Point. Whether, looking into the lobby’s cute showcase of strawberry memorabilia, or admiring the beautiful huge, strawberry transom window above the dining room entrance, or enjoying an awesome piece of strawberry shortcake, patrons of the Franklin are forever aware they are in Strawberry Point.

The newest strawberry tradition is Doug’s latest brainstorm. Doug states, “for years we have had customers ask about the Coffee Shop.” The sign above the entrance clearly states the hotel has a Coffee Shop but the Schmidts really didn’t have a designated coffee shop. So Doug cleverly capitalized on the strawberry image. They designed a mug, (see photo), which highlights the creation of the Strawberry Point Brewing Co. The new brewing company features six fresh ground regular and decaf gourmet flavors. “Right now the customer favorite is chocolate raspberry,” claims Doug. Customers can sit at the cozy lunch counter or in the dining room and enjoy a delicious cup of fresh ground coffee any time of day.

Doug is very excited about The Franklin’s very special Valentines Day only menu featuring several well-priced seafood, steak or poultry items including, just to name a few lobster, shrimp, filet mignon, prime rib and lemon or Cajun chicken breast. Give the Franklin a call soon for reservations and enjoy a lovely meal in a romantic, quiet spot.

Joleen’s Final Review: The Franklin Hotel’s dining room is an especially nice place to dine. The Schmidt’s are personable hosts in an atmosphere, which provides plenty of dining space, yet, in an intimate, stylish setting. The menu provides a unique selection but not overwhelming so as to facilitate an easy decision. The plate presentation is very appetizing and the food is delicious. I found the Strawberry Brewing Co. coffee to be particularly enjoyable and full flavored. The guest rooms are quaint and have a comfortable clean look. Kris and Doug are real town ambassadors and always remain focused on making sure the tradition of the Franklin Hotel is completely preserved. I recommend stopping into the Franklin for a fine slice of Iowa’s history and a terrific meal.