Charles City restaurant changes owners, Dave passes the spatula to ‘Kimmer’

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

On Monday morning this week, Dave Holschlag was the owner/operator of the Charles City restaurant he’d been running since 1991.

On Tuesday morning, he was Kim McIntire’s most experienced employee.

“My dream came true today,” McIntire said. “I’m so blessed to have so much support from family and friends to make this come true.”

McIntire officially became the new owner on Monday of Dave’s Restaurant, a place she has worked for about 20 years. Holschlag, her boss, will punch the clock for a while as an employee as McIntire gets used to running the business.

When Holschlag screws something up, will his new boss let him know about it?

“You know I will,” McIntire laughed. “It’s happened before I ever came to this position.”

The two said they’ve been trying to work out a deal for the restaurant since November of last year.

“It’s always been my dream to own my own place,” McIntire said. “When David brought the opportunity to me, I thought it would be a good fit because this is what I’m used to.”

Holschlag said that after more than 29 years of running the restaurant, he’s simply tired. He said running your own business is a seven-days-a-week commitment, with hardly any days off.

“I’ve gotten to the point where I love what I do, I love the restaurant, the customers and the staff, but I’m just burned out,” Holschlag said. “It’s time for someone like Kimmer, who loves this and is passionate about it, to step forward and continue to do well with this place.”

McIntire started out as a cook at Dave’s. That job evolved into desserts and then moved into inventory, scheduling and all other aspects of operating a restaurant. She said she’s well-prepared to be an owner.

“I’m ready for that,” she said. “I’ve been prepared for that for some time now.”

Holschlag said he believes she’s ready, too.

“We’ve worked together for almost 20 years now,” Holschlag said. “We cook very well together.”

Dave’s Restaurant is known for its homestyle cooking and catering. When there’s no pandemic going on, it offers an extensive buffet, a salad bar, a full menu, homemade pies and soups.

Holschlag was 22 years old when he bought the restaurant — then known as “Brook’s,” in the old mall in 1991. When the mall closed down 17 years ago, he moved to the current location at 809 S. Grand Ave. Dave’s employs about 20 workers, and McIntire is looking to expand the staff.

On Thursday, McIntire announced that she has been in touch with public health, and for the health and safety of Dave’s staff and customers, the restaurant will be temporarily closing until Oct. 6. Anyone interested in employment should call her at 641-330-7086 to get an application during that time.

Once business opens back up, McIntire plans to keep things similar to what they have been. She said any changes will be gradual. She said that she hoped to bring the buffet back soon, as soon as it’s right with the pandemic, and intends to go back to the hand-patty burgers and make a few other changes, but nothing will happen overnight. The restaurant will honor catering appointments and gift certificates.

Holschlag said that McIntire has been pushing him to make changes and improvements for years.

“She loves what she does, and she’s good at it,” he said. “This is going to be a perfect fit for her.”

McIntire said that the name would remain “Dave’s” for the foreseeable future, although she may eventually change it to “Kimmer’s.”

Holschlag said he kept the name “Brook’s” for 12 years before he changed it to “Dave’s,” and said in hindsight, he probably waited too long.

“I look forward to Kim eventually changing the name, so it can be personalized to her, because it’s her place,” he said. “I think it would make sense for her to keep the name for a year or so, then change it.”

McIntire has lived in Charles City since she was a baby, and graduated from CCHS in 2000, when she was still known as Kim Novac. She and her husband, Justin, have two daughters, Keisha and Cari, ages 18 and 12, both enrolled in the Charles City School District.

She said she is excited to be running her own business in her home town.

“It feels amazing,” McIntire said.

Holschlag said he was thankful to the Charles City community for more than 29 years of blessings and support, and thankful to all the employees who have been part of the family over the years. He said he was going to really miss the customers, but was looking forward to seeing “Kimmer” shine as the new owner.

“There are so many opportunities for people, if they want it bad enough,” Holschlag said.