The new ownership team of Traer Pizza Palace pictured recently inside the downtown restaurant alongside former owners Brenda and Rick Rundel (far right). From left, Jammie and Kimberly Howard; Scott and Jana Monat; and Carri Holst and Jared Hasselmann. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – Much to the greater community’s breathless suspense, the ovens at Traer Pizza Palace will soon be roaring back to life.

Prior to shuttering last August, the restaurant, located just off Traer’s downtown at 104 South Main Street, had been in operation as Traer Pizza Palace for nearly three decades by owners Rick and Brenda Rundel who announced on social media in late July 2025 that Aug. 9 would be the restaurant’s last day. Two days after closing, the retiring Rundels made one final post on their business’s Facebook page.

“With a sad heart we thank you for the years of support. You all definitely didn’t let us go easily,” the Rundels wrote before thanking those who assisted in the waning days of operation, including Trista Zimple, Tanner Swanger, and Tim Ungs along with remaining staff Cayleigh and Brooklyn.

“There’s been a lot of interest in the business so I don’t think it will [be] gone for long,” the post continued. “We have a few repairs to get done then put up for sale.”

True to prediction, the business didn’t stay empty for long. On the final day of 2025, three area couples – operating as Pizza Palace, LLC – purchased the business and building, including Scott and Jana Monat of Clutier; Jared Hasselmann and Carri Holst of Traer; and Jammie and Kimberly Howard of Buckingham.

Traer Pizza Palace, located at 104 South Main Street, pictured on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. The restaurant was a mainstay in Traer for more than two decades before closing last summer in the wake of the Rundels’ retirement. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

In an email-based interview with the newspaper on behalf of the new ownership team, Jammie Howard said all three couples previously worked together on various business ventures. While the Howards own and operate Appraisal & Real Estate Services, the Monats own and operate the construction firm Monat Built and the Hasselmann-Holsts are one-half of the Champion Enterprises ownership team.

“[We] decided it would be nice to do something together as a group to give back to the community [where] all of our businesses [thrive] and rely on. And we didn’t want to see another local business disappear,” Howard explained.

Since the purchase was finalized in late December, Howard said the ownership team has been “working with the state licensing bureau to make improvements to meet today’s requirements.”

In terms of the menu, Howard assured the newspaper Pizza Palace’s delicious pan pizza is also making a comeback.

“We will keep the same great recipe … that has been a part of the community for decades,” he said.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

As of publication, work continues on the building – much of it being undertaken by the owners themselves who also plan to be involved in the day-to-day operations. But there will still be some staffing needs to fill, Howard said.

“We will be hiring for all positions. Once we are ready, we will let the community know so applications and resumes can be submitted. Along with the new staff, [ownership] plans on being an active crew at the Palace.”

But perhaps the biggest question on folks’ minds – when are you reopening? – is still a bit up in the air, Howard admitted.

“We are learning every day in this venture and are just as anxious as everyone else in getting prepared and open for the public. Keep an eye open, but hopefully sometime in April.”

When asked to gauge his team’s excitement about returning locally-made pizza – and a beloved landmark – to Traer, Howard said they shared the community’s anticipation.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“We have all been raised in the community, ran our own businesses in the community, and are very excited and honored to be able to reopen,” he said, before adding, “The Great Green Dragon will remain the same.”

Upon reopening, Traer Pizza Palace will retain the business’s original phone number (319-478-2281) and social media presence on Facebook. A new website for the restaurant is currently under construction.

Telegraph Note: This story is publishing online ahead of the Friday, March 6, print edition in order to accommodate the Times-Republican’s publication schedule.