The Centennial: Contemporary Taste, Historic Charm
The restauranteur who will operate the tea room formerly known as Angie’s Tea Garden got her start in culinary classes and Ram Restaurant at Jefferson-Scranton High School.
Sara Ostrander of Grand Junction, a 2002 J-S graduate with extensive culinary training and experience, was introduced at an outdoor event at Thomas Jefferson Gardens Tuesday evening.
She credited retired J-S teacher Donna Carhill with helping her see she could turn her passion for food into a career. She earned a degree in culinary arts/chef training at Indian Hills Community College, and then worked at Hotel Pattee in Perry and the downtown Marriott in Des Moines.
The next step in her career was at Dallas County Hospital in Perry, where she worked her way up to nutrition department manager. She earned dietary manager certification, and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management at William Penn University’s College for Working Adults.
She continued working at the Dallas County Hospital until a year ago, when she left to open the kitchen at the new Clive Behavioral Health. “That was such a great experience. That’s what brought me here. I’m very thankful for it,” she said.
She left that position and is now a cook at Greene County elementary school, a job that gives her more time to spend on the Jefferson restaurant.
Peg Raney, board president of Why Not Us, described Ostrander as “positively delightful, with a personality that lights up a room and has a contagious, upbeat attitude,” as she introduced Ostrander. “She had ideas and enthusiasm galore.”
The former Angie’s Tea Garden, at the corner of N. Wilson Ave and State St, will be known as The Centennial going forward. The Centennial’s tagline is “Contemporary Taste, Historic Charm.” “We wanted to give a nod to the building itself, which is so historic and beautiful, such a pillar of Jefferson downtown, and the women who have supported this project,” Ostrander said.
She plans to offer a rotating seasonal menu and events like cooking classes and gathering experiences, special events and catering. “I really look forward to partnering with other local businesses…. We can make Jefferson even more of a destination town,” she said. “There are so many great things we have to offer.”
“It’s always been my passion to serve amazing food, and I’m so thankful and proud to bring that passion to help the community,” she concluded.
Before introducing Ostrander, Raney gave a brief history of the project since the Why Not Us women’s investment group formed to save the Centennial Block building in December 2019. At that time the future of the building was unknown, as the tea room had been closed after frozen pipes in an upstairs apartment caused severe water damage the previous winter.
Forty-five women are members of Why Not Us, each investing a pre-determined amount in the project. A board of directors makes decisions for the group, with members in addition to Raney being treasurer Carol Zwicky, secretary Deb McGinn, legal advisor Rita Pedersen, and Jeanne Myers, Shirley Stapleton, Ruth Freeman, Ginny Showman and Jacque Andrew.
Why Not Us purchased the building from the city of Jefferson, which had taken over ownership of the building in the interest of retaining the integrity of the historic downtown square. Why Not Us applied for and received a $75,000 Challenge grant from Main Street Iowa, and plans to use available city 50/50 grant funds for façade work. Why Not Us is also working with a historian to do the needed work to make the building eligible for historic tax credits.
The spring of 2022 is the soonest The Centennial will open. After that is accomplished, work will begin on the second story apartments in the building.
Persons who want to become “Friends” of Why Not Us can contact any board member.
