A Fresh Start for an Old Main Landmark
by Mike Ironside from 365ink Magazine

180 Main. Not only an address in Dubuque’s Old Main District, but the name for a new entertainment complex that includes one of the developing neighborhood’s primary nightlife destinations. “It’s the address, so it’s easy to find where it’s at,” joked 180 Main business partner Tom Miller explaining the name of the expanded business, “We believe 180 represents the change that all of us have seen and worked hard to make happen downtown. Our building address is 180 Main Street, Dubuque – how could we not respect that coincidence?“
Hutchinson, a California transplant who fell in love with Dubuque, purchased the building to the immediate south of the pub in December of 2002. The historic building, once the former location of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union office, was to serve as a mortgage office on the first floor, an apartment upstairs, with the basement being leased to the expanding pub. A March 2003 fire, only a few months after Hutchinson’s purchase and just before the pub expansion was to open temporarily shut down the pub and nearly destroyed the building – a major setback that ultimately provided an opportunity for a major collaboration.
Fast-forward to January of 2006. Pubmamager Tom Miller, together with his father Bob Miller purchased the popular Main Street pub. Using their experience in the hospitality business (Bob Miller was the former owner and operator of the Dubuque Sports Complex), the Millers immediately began improvements to the Old Main landmark. Hutchinson purchased the building in April, uniting the two buildings that house the pub under a single owner. With the last piece of the puzzle in place, plans for the restaurant could proceed in earnest.

Hardwood floors were installed. Roughhewn beams and wood painstakingly stripped by hand from two area barns slated for demolition were used to reconstruct the interior and serve as trim on the exposed brick walls. The 18 foot ceilings allowed for the construction of an intimate mezzanine lounge with comfortable couches above the kitchen.

The handmade restaurant bar features a vintage art deco bar back from the Restoration Warehouse, originally from Bellevue’s Knights of Columbus hall. The heavy wooden front doors with carved gothic arches and the wooden bathroom doors with carved crosses were originally from Dubuque’s Xavier Chapel. Pocket doors between the bar and main dining room of the restaurant came from the Governor’s mansion in Galena. Simple, elegant arts and crafts-style chandeliers from a Galena restaurant add a warm glow to the bar. The overall feeling is one of casual elegance – a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere.

“ We wanted a look and feel that was rustic but contemporary – warm and cozy, explains Hutchinson, “something unique to the area. We wanted a mix of the old with the new.” Out-of-town visitors could be forgiven if they think the restaurant has been in existence for years. Like the basement pub, the upstairs bar and restaurant have a timeless feel. “Let’s pay tribute to the (Old Main) area,” said Hutchinson in reference to 180 Main’s place in the restoration efforts of the historic district, “let’s respect the history.”

The relaxed atmosphere that mixes the traditional and contemporary has a menu to match. Pub favorites like sandwiches, burgers and Chicago-style hot dogs share space with vegetarian options like hummus and new twists on classics to get “foodies” drooling like parmesan cheese fries with roasted red pepper ketchup and Thai-style chicken wings. Traditional Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew give a nod to the pub’s heritage. A large chalkboard with a deli-style menu will list specials allowing room for some experimentation.


The overall style is one of casual dining in a non-smoking atmosphere. Patrons can seat themselves at one of the many round tables with wait service or they can pull up one of the comfy black leather stools at the bar to order. Speaking of the bar, it features a wide variety of bottle beers, fine wines and top-shelf liquors. Of course fans of tap beers and ales can always slip down to the pub for one of the more than 20 brews on tap.

Like the pub, the restaurant is open every day of the week. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, the kitchen is open for late night service – a great feature for those times when “a quick one after work” lasts past most restaurants service. For a town that likes to party, a downtown kitchen that stays open late (serving food you actually want to eat) was surprisingly absent and badly needed.

Hutchinson is clearly excited about the project and the continuing progress of the Old Main neighborhood. “In a way, it goes with the name ‘180,’” Hutchinson muses, in reference to the new moniker and reflecting on what used to be regarded as a seedy district in decay, “the area has taken a 180 degree turn.”