Brainard Cafe
103 South Madison
Brainard, NE 68626
(402) 545-2777
Established 2000
Established 2000
Opened February 1, 2000, the original cafe and bar opened in 1951 by Anton & Elinor Egr who came from Prague, Nebraska. Prior to the building being remodeled into a cafe, the building was used for living quarters and a beauty shoppe. Anton & Elinor ran the cafe for 27 years after which it was leased for a few years by various people and owned by a couple for about 3 or 4 years. After that William and Charlotte Swanda owned it for 22 years, Charlotte is the daughter of Anton & Elinor Egr. William passed due to a heart attack in February 1998. The cafe was purchased in 1999 by Clayton Kastl, remodeled and then sold to Francis "Shorty" Novak. This was up until 2000 when former owner Roma Baker purchased the cafe. The business changed hands one more time when present owners Ted and Nancy Steager and Don Maxson bought the cafe. Although it has changed hands five times in the last 3 years, Brainard Cafe looks to be one of the community's most well-known businesses.
