Junction 21 is a popular destination for Dubuque area cyclists and Centralia restaurant that closed less than two months ago is poised to reopen under new ownership.

Local residents Josh Manders and Navin Valentin plan to reopen Junction 21 in mid-April.

“We had been looking to buy a bar or restaurant in town for a couple years and weren’t able to find an opportunity we liked,” said Manders, 27. “When we heard Junction 21 was closing, we checked it out and were able to come to a good deal.”

Junction 21 is located at the intersection of Old Highway and Sundown roads. Manders said he and Valentin closed on the purchase of the property last week.

Previous owner Tim McAndrew opened Junction 21 in 2010. His wife, Cindy, and their five kids all chipped in at the restaurant during its seven years of operation.

The McAndrews closed the restaurant in early February, citing a lack of business. McAndrew said he is pleased there will be a new chapter for the business.

“We’re absolutely happy to see it reopening,” McAndrew said. “We think it will give the community a place to go again and reunite with friends and family.”

Manders, meanwhile, points to expected growth west of Dubuque as reason to believe the restaurant can stay afloat this time around.

“We think it is a growing area that has a lot of potential,” said Manders. “With the Southwest Arterial going in in the next couple years, and the subdivisions growing out that way, we think that could bring in a lot of new customers.”

Manders said the name of the restaurant will not change, but some aspects of the business could be tweaked.

The new owners will keep staples like pizzas and burgers on the menu, but also hope to add new items like meat loaf, pork chops and macaroni and cheese.

An exact opening date hasn’t been determined. Once it opens, the hours at Junction 21 will be 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sundays.