🌱 Patch AM: Why this popular downtown Ames speakeasy-style bar suddenly shut its doors

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In today's newsletter:

• Why this popular downtown Ames speakeasy-style bar suddenly shut its doors

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 52 and low of 32 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, then rain, temps: high: 43, low: 31.
• Friday: Cloudy, with a high of 39 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• A downtown Ames cocktail and bourbon bar has closed. Find out more (amestrib.com) — A beloved downtown Ames spot for cocktails and live jazz, Noir bar on Kellogg Avenue, has closed after nearly five years in the historic Sheldon Munn building. Owners Bill and Jen Malone, also behind Café Diem, thanked the community for supporting their speakeasy-style venue that helped bring more live music and nightlife to Ames’ core.
   

📸 Around Ames

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ames

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★ Featured events ★

Tuesday January 27

• Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone in Ames, IA on Jan 27 — I'm Julie Murphy
  Prairie Moon Winery, 3801 W 190th St, Ames
  7:00 pm

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Other local events

Monday January 12

• Story County Conservation Board Meeting
  Story County , 56461 180th St. , Ames
  5:30 pm

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday January 7

• Gilbert Library is Open
  Gilbert, IA Calendar , 207 Main Street , Gilbert
  2:00 pm
• Maker Nights at Reiman Gardens: Seed Art
  Reiman Gardens , 1407 University Blvd , Ames
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 8

• Story County Watershed meeting
  Gilbert, IA Calendar , 105 SE 2ND STREET , Gilbert
  10:00 am

Friday January 9

• Live 🎶 🎶 with Taylor King
  1850 Homestead , 57304 IA-210 , Cambridge
  7:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Christmas Tree Pickup Ends
  Gilbert, IA Calendar Gilbert, IA 50105

Tuesday January 13

• Preschool Storytime & crafts at the Library
  Gilbert, IA Calendar , 207 Main Street , Gilbert
  8:30 am
• Carroll Girls Varsity Basketball @ Gilbert
  Gilbert High School , 312 Gretten St , Gilbert
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 15

• Water Bills Due
  Gilbert, IA Calendar Gilbert, IA 50105
• EMS Meeting
  Gilbert, IA Calendar , 105 SE 2ND STREET , Gilbert
  6:00 pm

Saturday January 17

• ThunderBeard: #1 Tribute to ZZ Top - Nevada, IA
  Camelot Theater , 1114 6th St , Nevada
  7:00 pm

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Looking to start a Little Free Library at our cafe!
  If you have any gently used books you're looking to part with please DM me on here or comment below and I can come pick them up! Please and thank… (Nextdoor Roosevelt)

• Iowa State University posted a job opening for Shop Manager Transportation Services in Ames. Apply here.
• Lowe's posted a job opening for Merchandising Part Time Days in Ames. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ames here.

🗞 Nearby News

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• BCH First Baby of 2026 Boone, Iowa (kwbg.com)
• The First Lady born in Boone, Iowa (littlevillagemag.com)
• Boone girls edge Ogden in tight dual Boone, Iowa (kwbg.com)

Ankeny

Ok Ames! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
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