(DECATUR, NE) You may have never even heard of the village of Decatur, Nebraska. The state's second oldest settlement has a population of just 641 people. But it's those people who are hungry to see a local landmark rise from the ashes.
"People will tell you they know where the Green Lantern was but they didn't know where Decatur was," says John Hightree, a general contractor and member of the Green Lantern Corporation.
The Green Lantern has been a Decatur landmark for a long time. How long? That all depends on who you talk to.
"It's been here for 67 years. It's just a tradition. I worked here as a kid," says David Dye, a former owner of the restaurant and member of the Green Lantern Corporation.
"I think it was established in 1956 and it burned down in February of last year," says Hightree.
After the steakhouse restaurant and bar went up in flames, a group of investors began cooking up a way to relight it.
"We're all local people and we're all reinvesting in our community," says Hightree.
"We're doers and the only way to get it done is just do it," says Denny Klatt, a member of the Green Lantern Corporation.
Construction began on the new Green Lantern in November with overwhelming community support.
"We've had people show up like 24 at a time to help us with things," says Hightree.
Now it's just weeks from reopening in June.
"Trim work, flooring, finish the kitchen equipment has to come in yet," says Hightree.
"I think the production that will come out of there will be better, more efficient," says Dye.
With an occupancy of almost 300 and a longstanding reputation, Green Lantern owners aren't worried about bringing in business.
"It's something that employs people and it brings people to the town so it's an important thing to have here," says Hightree.
A chance to put Decatur, Nebraska back on the map. The restaurant is in the process of hiring a manager right now who will then hire a cook before the Green Lantern reopens this summer.
Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at
ethomas@kmeg.com.
