Watch what's cooking! Check back for construction updates.
July 10, 2026: Lewistown Sentinel Article - Square Cafe location to anchor downtown redevelopment project
www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/07/square-cafe-location-to-anchor-downtown-redevelopment-project/
www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/07/square-cafe-location-to-anchor-downtown-redevelopment-project/
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July 6, 2026: Construction Update: Uncovering History at 13 East Market Street
Construction is officially underway! As our team began evaluating the existing conditions at 13 East Market Street, we uncovered some incredible pieces of the building's past.
Exciting Historical Discoveries:
Current Progress:
Our crews have worked diligently to carefully strip away decades of alterations that covered up these historic features. With the initial clearing complete, we have already started reconstructing the space and are prepping the walls for fresh coverings and paint.
A Room with a View:
It has been incredibly exciting to get a glimpse of what this space looked like in its prime. Opening the windows back up to reveal the original view overlooking the historic square is a milestone we won't soon forget.
Construction is officially underway! As our team began evaluating the existing conditions at 13 East Market Street, we uncovered some incredible pieces of the building's past.
Exciting Historical Discoveries:
- Original Lead Glass: We revealed beautiful lead glass windows that are original to the building and had been hidden behind years of prior renovations.
- Classic Woodwork: Stunning original woodwork features were also discovered, which we are thrilled to preserve and incorporate into the new remodel.
Current Progress:
Our crews have worked diligently to carefully strip away decades of alterations that covered up these historic features. With the initial clearing complete, we have already started reconstructing the space and are prepping the walls for fresh coverings and paint.
A Room with a View:
It has been incredibly exciting to get a glimpse of what this space looked like in its prime. Opening the windows back up to reveal the original view overlooking the historic square is a milestone we won't soon forget.
June 11, 2026: Lewistown Sentinel Article - Restaurant project set to combine historic properties
www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/06/restaurant-project-set-to-combine-historic-properties/
www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/06/restaurant-project-set-to-combine-historic-properties/
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A New Era for Downtown Dining: Blending History and Modern Dining on the Lewistown Square
June 10, 2026 - A significant renovation project will soon be underway in the heart of Downtown Lewistown, promising to revitalize part of the historic square with a new, exciting dining destination. While change often brings mixed emotions, the transformation of 13 and 15 East Market Street into a single, modern restaurant aims to serve the community for generations to come. The project will combine two adjacent historic locations into one cohesive restaurant experience, offering both indoor dining overlooking the square and new outdoor seating overlooking East Market Street. The combined space will feature a new, modern kitchen capable of serving today’s patrons' needs. The property at 13 East Market Street will undergo an extensive renovation. Its first floor will be renovated to accommodate indoor dining and takeout service, complete with windows overlooking the historic square. Many of the building's original features will be restored, ensuring a strong connection to Lewistown's past remains visible. The most impactful change, and the most necessary for the project's success, is the decision to raze the existing building at 15 East Market Street. This move, while potentially upsetting to some who value the continuous presence of structures they once patronized, is essential to the future viability of the location. The building at 15 East Market Street has become functionally obsolete. It was originally a prefab structure designed to resemble a trolley car, a style whose structural components are now well beyond their useful life. Crucially, the building's structural integrity has deteriorated over the years and is not designed to meet modern operational demands or, more importantly, current building code requirements. By razing the compromised structure, the project is able to create a safe, modern, and highly-functional outdoor dining area and kitchen that simply could not be achieved through renovation alone. This new, purposefully-designed space will dramatically enhance the restaurant's functionality and capacity, directly translating to a better experience for patrons and a more successful, long-lasting business in downtown Lewistown. This ambitious renovation is an investment in the future of Downtown Lewistown. By blending the charm of a restored historic building with the safety and efficiency of modern construction, the new restaurant will become a vibrant cornerstone of the historic square. We are confident that these renovations will only contribute to the continued growth and positive momentum for Lewistown, providing a welcoming space for many generations to enjoy for years to come. |
Conceptual drawings above by Nathan Parkes
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Special announcement from Kayla at The Square Cafe & Bakery
July 13 2026, marks 9 years since The Square Cafe and Bakery opened. The things I have learned and the friends I have made would make 21-year-old me sit back in awe, wonder, and exhaustion. I am ever so grateful for each of you who believed in me and have supported me these past years, and have let us be a part of your days, good and bad, and important milestones in your lives. Because of you and your support this business has grown into something I never quite imagined. Some days it feels like we are bursting at the seams, and have to find creative ways to store more inventory, and have lots of refrigeration to hold the prepared foods. And if you know me and have talked to me, you know that our location is very special to me, and that if we were to ever move, it would have to be in the downtown area, preferably the square. Many buildings have been looked at but nothing ever seemed right. And then one opportunity came available that had the right location, perfect views, ideal space and floor plan. So with that being said, WE ARE MOVING! The plan is to move in early 2027 to new and renovated 13 & 15 East Market Street. We can't wait to share more details with you as the time comes, and we can not wait to be apart of the history "On the Corner, On the Square". |
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Honoring the history and community spirit:
As we prepare 15 East Market Street for its next chapter, we’re honoring the history and community spirit that lived within these walls for so many years. The original dining car was a prefabricated "lunch wagon" built by the Jerry O'Mahony Dining Car Company. Below it was photographed on May 21, 1929. This captivating photograph captures a classic piece of Americana. Known initially as the Club Diner—and later renamed Campbell’s Diner—this spot eventually became affectionately known simply as The Trolley Car after many additions and modifications.
As we prepare 15 East Market Street for its next chapter, we’re honoring the history and community spirit that lived within these walls for so many years. The original dining car was a prefabricated "lunch wagon" built by the Jerry O'Mahony Dining Car Company. Below it was photographed on May 21, 1929. This captivating photograph captures a classic piece of Americana. Known initially as the Club Diner—and later renamed Campbell’s Diner—this spot eventually became affectionately known simply as The Trolley Car after many additions and modifications.
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