Pictured above is the outside of Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering. The Boldts are looking forward to adding the name of the establishment soon to the marquee above the two door entrance to the restaurant. The entrance is handicapped accessible. On the right-art students from Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School painted a mural of a theatre curtain, this goes with the theme of the restaurant. In back is the original ticket booth of the Uptown Theatre.

“Eighteen years ago, when I was first married, the only thing I could cook was “Hamburger Helper”, claims Mandy Boldt, owner of Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering, Gladbrook’s new eatery and bar. “With encouragement from friends and family, especially, my mother-in-law, Suzanne Boldt, I started trying new things, acquired some cooking skills mostly making items to sale at Farmer’s Markets with my now late sister-in-law Amy Boldt, people seemed to really enjoy my recipes, so I started getting in to the catering business.” Mandy has catered many types of events, from graduations, weddings, no job is to big or small. “One day I was asked by Josh Lekin from the Tama Livestock Auction in Tama to run the diner there that was open to the public on sale days, and I took him up on his offer.” Now with over six years of restaurant and catering experience, Mandy, along with her sister, Acilia “Ace” Kunz, and husband, DAvid “Spanky” Boldt, will bring new life to the former Uptown Lounge and Supper Club, with has been closed for over a year and a half.

The Boldts venture began in late August of 2015, when they purchased the property. The month of September was spent putting on a much needed new roof. In October they dove into the building to begin their renovation.

In the renovation process, the original ticket booth from the Uptown Theatre was discovered, they have restored it and it is placed in the dining waiting area.

Mandy and friends spent many hours working on the dining tables and booths purchased from restaurant auctions.

“The community has been a tremendous help,” said Mandy. “I have received so much encouragement from everyone, it is uplifting. Many residents have even donated old pictures and memorabilia from the former theater and meat market that will adorn the walls.” “Also the Industrial Arts classes at Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School have built the tables in the bar area, and the Industrial Arts classes from North Tama High School built the bar stools.”

Art students from Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School painted a mural of a theatre curtain, this goes with the theme of the restaurant. In back is the original ticket booth of the Uptown Theatre.

The art students from Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School have painted murals, even one resembling a theater curtain.”

The restaurant will also have a party room to accomodate family reunions, club activities and meetings, or a private party.

“A full menu is being developed for the restaurant with families in mind” says Mandy, “I love putting a meal in front of someone and watching them enjoy it, I get great satisfaction from that.” “I am looking forward offering this to the community”.

Mandy, her husband, David “Spanky” Boldt, who owns Spanky and Son Auction, and their two sons, Clayton, 11, and Lane, 8, live outside of Traer.

Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering will open for business on Wednesday, February 24, at 10:00 a.m. Regular hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and open of Sundays for events with a reservation.

Brand new bar, the bar stools were made by the North Tama High School Industrial Arts class.

The original ticket booth for the Uptown Theatre was discovered and has been renovated for the restaurant.