116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Ground Floor: New Marion business owners continue music and arts venue as the Famous Mockingbird
By Deborah Neyens, correspondent
Nov. 27, 2017 12:17 pm, Updated: Nov. 27, 2017 12:53 pm
MARION — As two couples embarked on new chapters in their lives, a familiar Marion venue has become a new business.
Dennis Mahoney founded his first business, Mahoney's Irish Pub, in the early 1990s and operated the northeast Cedar Rapids neighborhood bar for more than 23 years.
'I built what I felt was missing in Cedar Rapids,' Mahoney said. 'I focused on things I liked, like live music and craft beer.'
But after more than two decades in the bar business and working until 2:30 in the morning, he was ready for a change.
So when musician Dick Prall approached him about buying the business, Mahoney jumped at the opportunity. He handed over the keys to what is now Dick's Tap and Shake Room in July 2016, and he and wife Carrie began contemplating a move to Asheville, N.C.
But Carrie's career as an artist and holistic wellness instructor was taking off.
'She was connected with her clients and was having reservations about moving and leaving them behind,' Mahoney said.
About that time, Mahoney learned of another couple also at a crossroads. Craig Campbell and Priscilla Steele had operated an art gallery and performance venue in Marion's historic Kendall building since 1991. They were preparing to relocate and were looking for someone to buy the building — long home to their Campbell Steele Gallery — and to their Music in the MUD business.
Mahoney reached out to Campbell via email, and Campbell responded about 10 minutes later, wanting to meet the next day.
'The next day was St. Patrick's Day,' Mahoney said. 'I told him it was the first time in 23 years that I didn't own an Irish pub on St. Patrick's Day, and I was taking the day off.'
So they met the following day and hammered out a deal in about four hours.
'He knew of my place and my success in booking live music and my wife's success in art,' Mahoney said. 'It was a great match for us to go in and carry on their traditions.'
The Mahoneys worked closely with the previous owners, and officially took over the business in September.
The Famous Mockingbird continues the building's tradition as a music and arts venue. Performances include the Music in the MUD series, along with general admission shows booked by Mahoney.
The space also can be rented for corporate functions, weddings, recitals and other events. A small retail shop selling art and jewelry, much of it created by Carrie, is located at the front of the building and is open during shows and Marion Uptown District events.
Carrie uses the second floor of the building to create her art and operate her holistic wellness business.
A new addition is the Backstage Lounge, on the first floor, which sells craft beer and wine during events.
'People are blown away by the location,' Dennis Mahoney said. 'It's not just a bar with a stage — it's a location where we can throw some really cool, epic events.'
[naviga:h3 style="padding-left: 60px;"]AT A GLANCE
Owners: Dennis and Carrie Mahoney
Business: The Famous Mockingbird
Address: 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion
Email: info@thefamousmockingbird.com
Website:thefamousmockingbird.com
Know a business in operation less than a year that would make for an interesting 'Ground Floor' feature? Contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com