History
1908
Photo sourced by the Cedar Rapids History Facebook page.
Our 1908 building was a social hub for the Czech community. It was built for the fraternal life association Západní Česko Bratrská Jednota (ZCBJ), which translates to Western Bohemian Fraternal Association. The organization helped generations of Bohemian Americans obtain financial security through life insurance. The society still lives on today as Western Fraternal Life.
The ZCBJ association was an offshoot of the Czech-Slovak Protective Society (C.S.P.S.), which established its first lodge in 1879 in Cedar Rapids. Formed in 1897, the ZCBJ fraction eventually built its headquarters – our building – just one block away. The organization grew to over 10,000 members within a decade, in part by extending membership to women.
The Olympic celebrates our rich immigrant legacy by continuing this spirit of togetherness. The ZCBJ’s third floor once served as the lodge hall, right where we continue to host events in the present. We are so proud to revive this piece of Cedar Rapids history in its entirety.
1916-1944
Until 1944, the first floor storefront that is today Brewhemia housed Severa Clothing store.
The upstairs remained ZCBJ Hall.
1940's - early 2000's
The upstairs served as ZCBJ Hall until 1960, then changed format numerous times as:
1960: The Western Bohemian Fraternal Hall
1960-1966: Knights of Pythias Lodge
1969: Sokol Hall Social Hall
1975-1976: Theater Lounge
1983-1984: Dillon's Dance Lounge
1985-1988: Pyramid Club II (apparently the Pyramid Club I was in Ames!)
1990: Shades
1992-1993: Spotlites
1994-1998: Big Dogs
Meanwhile, the first floor corner storefront (Brewhemia) was a succession of pubs, including
1944-1974: Country Club
1975-1978: Bob's Happy Hour
1979-1980: Jeannie's Lounge
1983: Don's Corner Tap
1984-1986: Corner Tap Lounge
1986-1988: Foggy's Notion Lounge
1990-1994: Jon's Fair Shake
1995-2004: Left Bank
Other first floor office tenants included:
1974-1975: Lyn's Novelties
1976: Plant & Planters Boutique
1978-1991: RAMCO Amusement
1996-1998: Loving Touch Pet
1991-2001: Pritele's Tavern
2003-2004: Chester's on 3rd St
1998-2014
Harvey Headbanger at 3rd Street Live!, for a New Year's Eve show, December 31, 2012
In 1998, the upstairs hall became 3rd Street Live, a performance venue, featuring a wide variety of acts from all over the country. It featured a unique, U-shaped balcony surrounding the main theater floor.
On July 23, 2014, the Chrome Horse on the first floor suffered a fire that closed the upstairs hall for five years.
2016-2017
In August, 2016, Brewhemia opened on the first floor of the ZCBJ building, and shortly after Caucho opened in 2017.
HBK Engineering opened in 2017 as well.
Photos courtesy of Joseph Green Studios.
2019
On August 1, 2019, The Olympic South Side Theater was announced, planning to open in early 2020.