(Radio Iowa) — The only restaurant in Hamburg affected by repeated flooding this past Spring, is preparing to reopen after several months of being closed. The Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Hamburg has been closed since mid-March because of high water. One of the owners, Vicki Sjulin, says she and her husband are dedicated to bringing the restaurant back. She says it’s the kind of place farmers love.

“They come in at noon. We pretty much know where they’re going to sit, what they’re going to drink and for the most part, what they’re going to order,” Sjulin says. “It’s just a staple. It’s a community social place. They all meet, talk about the crops.”

The Blue Moon’s two buildings were inundated with at least three feet of water last spring and it’s been closed five months. Sjulin says, “Not only have we lost everything, we’re reinvesting part of our retirement money that we still have back into the business to try to get it open again.”

Sjulin bought booths and chairs from a closed Perkins restaurant. She’s installed a new kitchen and is waiting for an electrician to wire it. She’s getting one of the two buildings ready for a couple of inspections and hopes to reopen it for business the day after Labor Day.

(Thanks to Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)