MASON CITY – The steadfast Perkins restaurant in Mason City, long closed but never forgotten, has been demolished so that a tire store can be built in its place.
The Mason City Perkins restaurant, located at 2201 4th Street SW, has been closed and vacant for months. The property was sold as a “vacant building” to SFP-E LLC for $1,100,000.00 back in October of 2025. The property had steadily climbed in assessed value since 2021: $763,590 (2021) $773,120 (2022) $923,530 (2023) $923,530 (2024) $1,027,010 (2025).
Plans to demolish the building and put the property to tax-generating use were put into place through city hall. According to Steven J. Van Steenhuyse, Director of Development Services in Mason City, “we have plans and permits in place for a Les Schwab Tire Center at that location. This would be their first location in Iowa.”
According to their website, “Les Schwab Tire Centers is a premier, large-scale independent tire retailer founded in 1952, operating over 540 locations primarily across the Western U.S.. Known for exceptional customer service, they offer comprehensive automotive services, including tire sales, brake repairs, and alignment. They are widely recognized for their warranty, which includes free lifetime flat repairs and rotations.”
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is struggling nationally, with declining sales (roughly 5% annually since 2019), significant store closures, and brand aging, resulting in a nearly 50% reduction in locations in recent years. Owned by Ascent Hospitality Management since 2019, the chain faces intense competition from new breakfast concepts and casual dining competitors. Th Perkins national website (perkinsrestaurants.com) still shows the Mason City location as open for business.
