Less than 48 hours after a fire damaged the iconic Starbuck’s Drive-In, city leaders and the restaurant’s owners say the beloved business will rebuild. During a meeting Thursday morning, city officials outlined an initial plan to help move the rebuilding effort forward.City Administrator Jordan Cook said officials are proposing using money from Nevada’s demolition fund to pay for demolishing the damaged building, clearing the way for construction of a new restaurant.The demolition fund contains proceeds from properties that have been condemned and later sold by the city.Officials are also working to establish a fund where community members can donate toward rebuilding the restaurant. Mayor Ryan Condon said he expects strong community support, along with contributions from private donors, to help finance a new building.A local 3D design professional has already volunteered to create building plans at no cost, and city leaders hope other businesses and contractors will donate services as the project moves forward.RAGBRAI’s stop in Nevada on July 22 is expected to serve as the kickoff for a major fundraising effort. Organizers are planning a Starbuck’s fundraiser during the event, with more details expected in the coming weeks. Current owner Anna Sayre and business manager Evelyn Yoder said the building was not insured, explaining that the restaurant was caught in a difficult financial and legal situation.Yoder said previous owner Shelley Tiffany had paid off the business in 2025 and planned to replace the aging roof and siding. After Tiffany died in October, the business entered probate, preventing improvements that would have changed the property’s value.When insurance agents later inspected the building, they determined the roof and siding needed to be replaced before coverage could be issued. Yoder emphasized the building had not been neglected. Starbuck’s Drive-In traces its roots to 1956, when founder Darrell Starbuck transformed a service station into a drive-in restaurant after adding walk-up windows and beginning to sell food.Over the decades, the restaurant became a community landmark known for its food and ice cream.Sayre said she hopes the new building will include indoor seating and expanded outdoor seating while preserving elements of the restaurant’s historic character. City officials say they’ll announce donation information once an organization is selected to manage the rebuilding fund.
NEVADA, Iowa —
Less than 48 hours after a fire damaged the iconic Starbuck’s Drive-In, city leaders and the restaurant’s owners say the beloved business will rebuild.
During a meeting Thursday morning, city officials outlined an initial plan to help move the rebuilding effort forward.
City Administrator Jordan Cook said officials are proposing using money from Nevada’s demolition fund to pay for demolishing the damaged building, clearing the way for construction of a new restaurant.
The demolition fund contains proceeds from properties that have been condemned and later sold by the city.
Officials are also working to establish a fund where community members can donate toward rebuilding the restaurant.
Mayor Ryan Condon said he expects strong community support, along with contributions from private donors, to help finance a new building.
A local 3D design professional has already volunteered to create building plans at no cost, and city leaders hope other businesses and contractors will donate services as the project moves forward.
RAGBRAI’s stop in Nevada on July 22 is expected to serve as the kickoff for a major fundraising effort. Organizers are planning a Starbuck’s fundraiser during the event, with more details expected in the coming weeks.
Current owner Anna Sayre and business manager Evelyn Yoder said the building was not insured, explaining that the restaurant was caught in a difficult financial and legal situation.
Yoder said previous owner Shelley Tiffany had paid off the business in 2025 and planned to replace the aging roof and siding. After Tiffany died in October, the business entered probate, preventing improvements that would have changed the property’s value.
When insurance agents later inspected the building, they determined the roof and siding needed to be replaced before coverage could be issued. Yoder emphasized the building had not been neglected.
Starbuck’s Drive-In traces its roots to 1956, when founder Darrell Starbuck transformed a service station into a drive-in restaurant after adding walk-up windows and beginning to sell food.
Over the decades, the restaurant became a community landmark known for its food and ice cream.
Sayre said she hopes the new building will include indoor seating and expanded outdoor seating while preserving elements of the restaurant’s historic character.
City officials say they’ll announce donation information once an organization is selected to manage the rebuilding fund.
