KEARNEY, Neb. — A staple of dining in Kearney is closing up shop for good after more than five decades of service.

The Lodge made a name for itself starting in 1971 in the basement of the old midtown Western Inn on 2nd Avenue before being sold to Buffalo County and being demolished.

They moved to the old property previously occupied by Skeeter Barnes south of the interstate in the fall of 2024.

On a social media post, they said they will not be re-opening after closing down on Jan. 8 as one of the owners battled health concerns.

Monday's post cited complications of a spinal tumor and the other owner has decided to get out of the business.

The current owners took over in 2014. While they were hopeful to get someone else to take over, those conversations did not progress as far as they hoped.