An Iconic Eastern Iowa Bar is Set to Close its Doors
One of the only LGBTQ bars in Cedar Rapids is set to close its doors after 25 years.
Owner of Belle's Basix in Cedar Rapids, Andrew Harrison "Belle", shared the unfortunate news on the business's Facebook page on Sunday night. After running the bar for 10 years solo, Harrison is ready to "let go" and plans to do so on January 31, 2022. Therefore the club would be permanently closed on February 1. That is, unless someone decides to step up and take over ownership. If someone buys the business, it will carry on as the new owner sees fit.
I am in talks with some people and would like to be in talks with more about buying this 25 year old business. It’ll be going for cheap i can tell ya that."
According to Little Village Mag, the club is best known for its drag shows on Friday and Saturday nights. In fact, Harrison "aka Pretty Bele" is a retired drag queen and owner of Belle drag family. The report states that the club has always been more of an entertainment venue, and a safe space for LGBTQ Iowans. It was a community.
Little Village reports that Harrison told KCRG, “We call ourselves a gay bar, but we are an everybody bar...We’ve always accepted everybody as long as they recognize this is our safe space.” Now that safe space is in danger of closing.
Harrison asked that no one set up a fundraiser or offer ideas on how to make the bar busier, but is looking for someone who is serious about buying the business. Let's hope someone steps up, so we don't have to see this Cedar Rapids staple go, as we did so many businesses due to the pandemic.