Broom Factory Restaurant

04/08/2026

A photo from when the Broom Factory opened in 1976. Does anyone know what happened to this sign after the building was torn down? Was it saved?

03/06/2026

Look at those cute kids on the spiral staircase in the Old Dining Room! :)

03/02/2026

I would sure love to order a Clean Sweep Burger, French Onion Soup, Crabarito, apple crisp Ala mode or sliced turkey sandwich from the Broom lunch menu right now! What was your favorite lunch item?

02/23/2026

Dorothy and Clyde's former home on Cottage Row Rd in CF on the Cedar River courtesy of realtor.com website! Definitely has some Broom vibes! The spiral staircase looks exactly like the one that was in the Broom Factory! :)

02/09/2026

Broom Factory matchbooks from the JB era at the Broom. JB owned the business from 1980-1990 and had a beautiful 300+ label fine wine store at the front of the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Jerry L. Small

02/09/2026

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On February 9, 2008, the Olde Broom Factory Restaurant in Cedar Falls was demolished. The popular restaurant along the Cedar River served up delicious dishes and breathtaking views for decades while building a reputation as one of Iowa’s best restaurants.

Originally constructed at the north end of Cedar Falls’ Main Street in 1862 for the production of cornstarch, the factory also hosted operations manufacturing wooden pumps, oatmeal, and washing machines. In 1905, C.N. McHugh started operating a broom factory at the site. McHugh’s business thrived for nearly forty years before the widespread adoption of vacuum cleaners undercut the market for brooms. A multifaceted entrepreneur and one-time mayor of Cedar Falls, McHugh also pickled cucumbers bought from local farmers in huge brine vats at the facility.

Condemned by the city in 1976, Dorothy Stitt saved the building from destruction and started one of the Cedar Valley’s most iconic restaurants. After an extensive renovation, including foundation repair and a new roof, Stitt decorated the restaurant with old brooms and antiques to create ambiance, overlooking the Cedar River. With a clear vision for a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients in made-from-scratch dishes, the Olde Broom Factory grew into a beloved institution. 31 years later, she sold the restaurant to her daughter.

Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the restaurant's success, time ultimately caught up with Olde Broom Factory. When a significant roof leak developed in 2007, the tough decision to close the business ultimately came. Engineering reports deemed the building beyond saving, and in early 2008, the structure came down, leaving only many memories of one of Iowa’s best-loved restaurants.

12/12/2025

A lovely person sent me this photo - they have the ladies' room door from the Broom Factory! Who remembers?

11/27/2025

Happy🍂Thanksgiving Broom friends!

11/13/2025

11/13/2025

Found this while packing. Article about my first boss and owner of the Broom Factory Restarant in Cedar Falls from 1980-1990. Was first GM of the Brown Bottle in CF in 1972. He was a great man, restaurateur and wine expert. Ahead of his time. Article from May, 1988.

10/14/2025

JB’s Fine Wines & Food in CF. Incredible food and decor for 1990! Ahead of its time! 4214 University Avenue. Previously had been the “Boar’s Head”, “Faces” then “JB’s” Today is the “Other Place Pizza”