Iowa Hill Store, town's lone commercial business, reopens

Those looking for a little off-the-beaten-path hospitality can once again dine at the Iowa Hill Store in Iowa Hill. The store, which also serves as the town's post office, recently reopened under new ownership after being shuttered for nearly a year. "Everybody is welcome and we want people to feel welcome here," said co-owner Lynea Daniels. "Iowa Hill is not a creepy place. We are probably the most friendly people you'll meet." The Iowa Hill Store is the only commercial building in the historic gold-mining town of Iowa Hill, which has a population of 200. The area is so remote, residents and the store have to use generators and solar for power. The store usually provides meals for locals but also sees hikers, as the restaurant is located at the trail head of Stevens Trail. The business gets its share of tourists who visit the area to see a historic gold-mining town. The restaurant provides a full breakfast menu, burgers, fries, French dips, pepper steak sandwiches and more options for dinner. "We've always wanted to own our own restaurant," Daniels said. "We love the people up here." The Iowa Hill Store also serves as the town's post office, receiving mail three times a week. Daniels said residents usually gather at the store on those days to visit and pick up their mail. "This whole community is a family," she said. "Maybe dysfunctional, but we are a huge family. Everybody knows everybody and we are here for anything anyone needs." Working in partnership with the Placer County Food Bank, the Iowa Hill Store provides a food bank and soup kitchen for those in need in the more remote areas of Placer County. Daniels and co-owner Bryan Perry have renovated the kitchen, put in a new bar and done various other work. The pair are still waiting on their alcohol license. The Iowa Hill Store is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, call 530-367-8080.