Grundy Center man treated to birthday delivery by local restaurant

GRUNDY CENTER- Since the restaurant opened, Arnie Schultz has been coming to the Landmark Bistro in Grundy Center and celebrating his birthday. However, in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, and Governor Kim Reynold’s issuance of a State of public Health Disaster Emergency, restaurants and bars are closed to the public-- save for carry-out or delivery orders.

The Landmark Bistro wasn’t an exception to this, and this left folks like Mr. Schultz and his wife Imogene in the lurch.

“We’ve been going there since I can’t remember when,” Imogene Shultz said, “a long time. This was the first time we haven’t been able to go, ever.”

With Mr. Schultz’s 90^th birthday arriving just a week after the Governor’s order was issued, that didn’t leave much time for a change of plans. However, the Landmark Bistro and owner Jill Krausman decided they would try to rectify the situation.

After preparing their usual meal, the employees of the Landmark drove to Schultz’s house to deliver it to him personally. Schultz’s friends and former coworkers met them there.

Among them is Kevin Swalley, current President, CEO and Chairman at GNB Bank who described Schultz as his mentor, and the one who personally hired him 35 year ago.

“Arnie was one of the premiere bankers in Iowa while he was President, CEO and Chairman of the GNB Bank Board,” Swalley said, “…when you just mentioned Arnie Schultz’s name, everybody knew what bank you were referring to… he was highly respected everywhere he went.”

The appreciation for Schultz was clear. Dozens of people showed up, dotting the lawn at safe distances of six feet or more, or some electing to stay in their cars with the windows rolled down. They rang the doorbell, and when the food was handed to Schultz, they sang “Happy Birthday.”

Mrs. Schultz said they were surprised and pleased by the special birthday delivery, and said that she is excited to spend Mr. Schultz’s 91^st birthday inside the restaurant as usual.