“It’s a special gift,” said Reitmeier. “We had a lot of customers that would come in once a week and some even every day. I would often remember their favorite drink or menu item, but not always their name.”

Reitmeier, along with her parents, Frank and Connie Francis and friend Randi Gruber, reopened Bloomers at a new location Thursday, though still on Central Avenue.

“We had a soft opening today with drinks and breakfast items only,” said Reitmeier. “We had a steady crowd which was nice and not too overwhelming. I couldn’t have asked for a better opening day. It was wonderful.”

The new location, 319 Central Ave., is a few blocks down the street from the Trolley Center where the business had been located for more than 30 years.

-Photo by Brandy Mills-Carver
The Bloomers on Central staff is pictured from left: Frank Francis, Connie Francis, Rebecca Reitmeier and Randi Gruver. The new location opened on Thursday at 319 Central Ave.

“The new location was a total build out, just a bare bones sort of building,” said Reitmeier. “Doyle Construction and the Doyles own the building and have for a long time. It was so great of them to see the vision that I had and to put the work into creating what it is now. It’s a special building for them too, so just to see new life brought into the building has just really been a great experience.”

Reitmeier brought Bloomers’ popular cozy atmosphere to the new location, which has multiple couches, new furniture and tables, as well as the famous tv fish tank.

“We want people to come in, sit down, and relax,” said Reitmeier. “I wanted to recreate what I had in the other space and make it cozy and a place that people would love to come to. My stepdad does a lot of handiwork and the new tables that people can now eat on are actually made from the Iowa Central basketball court. We refinished the wood and made them into tables. I love Fort Dodge. I grew up here. This is where my heart is — Fort Dodge and Bloomers.”

Reitmeier said her first job was at Bloomers in the 1990s and she later purchased the business because she loved the restaurant and community.

She hopes to return Bloomers to normal business hours as well as an extended menu to include sandwiches, lunches, and desserts after the Thanksgiving holiday, but is still working out the details.

-Photo by Brandy Mills-Carver
A play area for kids is offered at the new Bloomers on Central, located at 319 Central Ave.

“A lot has changed in two years,” said Reitmeier. “My mom runs the cash register. She used to just write it down and we’d make orders from that, but now I have a point-of-sale machine. We’re still just working all of the details out, and we’re going to take it slow because customer service is so important to me.”

-Photo by Brandy Mills-Carver
ameron Nelson, of Fort Dodge, enjoys a comfortable spot at the new Bloomers on Central, located at 319 Central Ave.

-Photo by Brandy Mills-Carver
Many items are available for purchase at the new Bloomers on Central, located at 319 Central Ave.