TODD: IT HAS BEEN AT THIS SAME EXACT SPOT SINCE 1926. IT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT AFTER 50 YEARS, IT’S OWNER IS. IT’S ANOTHER BUSY LUNCH HOUR AT THE NEWTON MAID RITE. BUT CHANGE IS IN THE A.IR >> THE OPPORTUNITY HAS COME. TODD: DAN HOLTCAMP HAS DECEDID TO RETIRE AND JUST ANNOUNCED HE’S SOLD THE BUSINESS HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 19. HOLTCAMP HAS LOVED EVERY MINUTE. AT CENTER STAGE THE MAID REIT , THE QUIRKY, IOWA FAVORITE MADE OF FRESHLY COOKED AND STEAMED GROUND CHUCK BEEF. CUSTOMERS ALWAYS ACCUSE HIM OF USING A SECRET INGDIT.RE >> YOU HAVE A SECRET AND YOU WON’T TELL ANYONE AND YOU WON’T GIVE IT OUT. OK. HAVE IT YOUR WAY. [LAUGHR]TE TODD HOLTCAMP SAYS HE’S SEEN : PLTYEN OF HIGHS. WHEN BARACK OBAMA STOPPED BY FOR LUNCH. AND LOWS, WHEN MAYTAG LEFT TOWN. BUTHT ROUGH ALL THE YEARS THERE HAS BEEN ONE THING THAT HASN’T CHAND.GE HIS SATISFIED CUSTOMERS AND LOYAL EMPLOYS. JA MCDNEERMOTT WORKED HERE FOR MANY YEARS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW SHE’S BACK THIS MONTH TO WORK ONE LAST TIME FOR HER FAVORITE BOSS. SHE EXCITED THE NEW OWR NEPLANS TO KEEP THE TRADITION GOING. >> MARY IMPOANRTT. WE NEED IT. EVERYBODY LOVES IT. >> TO THINK THEY ARE COMING BACK AND THEY LOVE THIS PLACEO S MUCH .UCH MAYBE ME, TOO. TODD: THEY ARE OFFERING FREE COFFEE AND SOFT DRISNK, SO
Newton Maid-Rite owner retires after 50 years
Updated: 5:35 PM CDT Sep 8, 2021
It's the end of an era for the 95-year-old Maid-Rite restaurant in Newton. The owner is retiring after five decades of serving Iowa's famous loose meat burgers. “The opportunity has come,” owner Dan Holtcamp saidHoltcamp announced he sold the business he and his wife have owned and operated since 1971.“I need to slow down," Holtcamp saidHe says has loved every minute. At center stage has been the Maid-Rite -- the quirky, Iowa favorite made of freshly cooked and steamed ground chuck beef. Customers always accuse him of using a secret ingredient.“You have a secret, and you won’t tell anyone, and you won’t give it out. And I say, have it your way,” Holtcam said with a laugh. Holtcamp says he's seen plenty of highs during his career, including when former President Barrack Obama stopped by for lunch. He ate two sandwiches.There have also been lows, including when Maytag left town. Through the years, one thing hasn't changed. Holtcamp's satisfied customers and loyal employees.Jane McDermott worked her for many years after high school and now she's back this month to work one last time for her favorite boss. She said she is excited the new owner plans to keep the tradition going. The distinctive menu and the authentic lunch counter will stay.“We need it," McDermott said. "Everybody loves Maid-Rites."Her sentiment brought Holtcamp to tears. “That really moves me," he said. "It makes my heart ... to think that they're coming back, that they loved this place so much and maybe me, too."The shop is offering free coffee and soft drinks all day long on Sept. 25. Customers can stop by, have a Maid-Rite, and say goodbye to Holtcamp.
NEWTON, Iowa — It's the end of an era for the 95-year-old Maid-Rite restaurant in Newton. The owner is retiring after five decades of serving Iowa's famous loose meat burgers.
“The opportunity has come,” owner Dan Holtcamp said
Holtcamp announced he sold the business he and his wife have owned and operated since 1971.
“I need to slow down," Holtcamp said
He says has loved every minute. At center stage has been the Maid-Rite -- the quirky, Iowa favorite made of freshly cooked and steamed ground chuck beef. Customers always accuse him of using a secret ingredient.
“You have a secret, and you won’t tell anyone, and you won’t give it out. And I say, have it your way,” Holtcam said with a laugh.
Holtcamp says he's seen plenty of highs during his career, including when former President Barrack Obama stopped by for lunch. He ate two sandwiches.
There have also been lows, including when Maytag left town. Through the years, one thing hasn't changed. Holtcamp's satisfied customers and loyal employees.
Jane McDermott worked her for many years after high school and now she's back this month to work one last time for her favorite boss. She said she is excited the new owner plans to keep the tradition going. The distinctive menu and the authentic lunch counter will stay.
“We need it," McDermott said. "Everybody loves Maid-Rites."
Her sentiment brought Holtcamp to tears.
“That really moves me," he said. "It makes my heart ... to think that they're coming back, that they loved this place so much and maybe me, too."
The shop is offering free coffee and soft drinks all day long on Sept. 25. Customers can stop by, have a Maid-Rite, and say goodbye to Holtcamp.