A new restaurant is coming to Orange City as part of a larger commercial development supported by the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve its Dutch identity.
City Administrator Matt Van Schouwen says Bob and Ellen’s, a regional restaurant chain, is expected to open in the coming months as part of a new mixed-use building being developed by RTI near Highway 10 and Frankfort Place Southeast.
The building will include five commercial spaces on the main floor, along with apartments on the upper level, adding both new business activity and housing to the area.
Bob and Ellen’s currently operates locations in Lawton, North Sioux City, South Dakota, and Jackson, Minnesota, along with a related Stone Bru concept in Sioux City. The restaurant is known for its family-friendly, Midwestern-style menu, featuring items like pizza, burgers, breakfast, and other comfort foods.
To support the project, the Orange City Council recently finalized reimbursement of $100,000 for Dutch-style storefront façade features incorporated into the building. City documents show the Dutch-front portion of the project had a final cost of $340,954.14, with the city’s contribution capped at the previously approved amount.
Van Schouwen says the addition is another positive step for the community as the project moves closer to opening.
The Dutch-front program is designed to ensure that new development reflects the same look and character Orange City is known for, even as the community continues to grow.
City leaders say the project represents a combination of economic development and community branding, bringing new dining options and business space to Orange City while maintaining the visual identity that helps set it apart.
