Road Trip Iowa highlights LeClaire, its businesses, people

LECLAIRE – Many of the businesses, people and places of this community were featured on an Iowa PBS TV show on Wednesday, May 1. And according to the early reviews, many people in this town loved it. “We know LeClaire is awesome, but it’s good to hear somebody else say it. …. Now, maybe people […]

LECLAIRE – Many of the businesses, people and places of this community were featured on an Iowa PBS TV show on Wednesday, May 1. And according to the early reviews, many people in this town loved it. “We know LeClaire is awesome, but it’s good to hear somebody else say it. …. Now, maybe people will head their cars eastward and come here,” said Ryan Burchett, co-owner of the  Mississippi River Distilling Co. (MRDC). His business hosted a viewing party on Wednesday to watch the TV show “Road Trip Iowa.” ( A video of part of that viewing party can be found here.)

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That show features a look at Iowa’s “scenic byways, enjoying the historic sites, unique attractions and natural beauty,” according to PBS information on the program. Wednesday’s 30-minute “Road Trip Iowa” episode focused on cities along the Great River Road from Dubuque to Davenport. About eight minutes of the show centered on LeClaire attractions. Nearly 50 townspeople gathered at the MRDC to enjoy a few cocktails, hot dogs served by Randl Besse from his Hot Dog Guy food cart, and especially watch the LeClaire portion of the PBS program from one of three screens set up at the distilling company.  (One of those screens was on top of a stepladder in front of fermenter tanks.) “We’re really excited to celebrate LeClaire. We hope everybody enjoys it,” said Cindy Bruhn, LeClaire tourism manager, shortly before the program started at 6:30 p.m. After Iowa PBS showed off some features in Dubuque, Sabula and Clinton, the “Road Trip Iowa” episode got a round of applause from the watch party audience when it focused on LeClaire. Much of the LeClaire segment focused on Mike Wolfe, a LeClaire businessman and star of the cable TV program “American Pickers.” When the show’s host looked over Mr. Wolfe’s antique business – Antique Archaeology – he joked that the business was “random chaos.” But the “American Pickers” star also highlighted many of the other businesses and features in the community. “LeClaire has a lot of neat things to offer. … There is so much history here,” he said in the program. MRDC among highlights The show also featured other businesses, such as Mr. Burchett at MRDC, and Emily Gwin, a former store manager for Mr. Wolfe at Antique Archaeology, and now owner and operator of the new store Emily Found it at 127 N. Cody Road. Both business owners – who were at the viewing party – got a round of applause from the crowd when they appeared on screen. “I loved it. I’m so grateful to PBS for this . … It was a lot of fun,” said Ms. Gwin at Wednesday’s viewing party. During the TV program, Mr. Burchett encouraged people to visit the community and its businesses because “rural Iowa can offer what no city can when we put our best feet forward.” After the program, several people in the viewing crowd said they were happy the show featured many of the features offered in LeClaire. ‘It showed off the stuff we already know, but we just love sharing it with others,” said Ms. Bruhn. Several at Wednesday’s viewing party pointed out that LeClaire has been featured on at least one other TV program. Last year, the community was on  an episode of “John McGivern’s Main Streets” television show.  In addition to program watchers, Wednesday’s viewing party was also a great time to do business – especially for Mr. Besse and his hot dog cart. That cart, located outside of the distilling company on Wednesday, at times had up to eight people lined up to get their favorite hot dogs. “It was a good day. It’s been busy. … This was a good day for hot dogs,” he added.