Just 1 More is located next to the bike trail in Jamaica.
Jamaica bar offers good food and drinks at a fair price.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times
Running a small business in a small town is never easy, but Chad Frantum and Jeni Hollman, owners of Just One More in Jamaica, found a recipe for success by keeping things simple. They run their bar by providing drinks, food and fun that match what their customers want.
“We opened here March 7, 2018. Prior to that, we had been at a smaller bar for two years. Originally it was called the Dew Drop Inn, and then we started calling it Just One More,” Hollman said.
Chad Frantum and Jeni Hollman invite customers in for “just one more.”
Jamaica is fortunate to have two such businesses, with Tojo’s just a half block away. But each business fills a slightly different role. Frantum pointed out that there is cooperation between the two, and they consider Tommy Jo, owner of Tojo’s, a friend.
“She’s more of a restaurant, and we’re more of a bar. We have a small menu and an outside grill during the weekends,” Frantum said. Hollman agreed.
“She’s very supportive of us. We work very well together. Sometimes, we even order supplies together,” Hollman said.
Another factor in the success of Just One More is cleanliness.
“We get a lot of compliments on having a clean facility, including our bathrooms,” Frantum said.
The couple recalled struggling to keep their business afloat during the COVID pandemic.
“It was on Saint Patrick’s Day, we had all this corned beef and cabbage, and we got the news that we had to close down because of COVID. I stood outside and bawled, wondering how we were going to pay the bills,” Hollman said. “That hit us pretty hard. But I look at it today, and anybody that could make it through COVID and be closed as long as we were, they have a good business with a strong community backing them.”
A big factor in the bar’s success is the proximity to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, which runs next to the building. Because of this, Just One More sees lots of customers who stop in as they enjoy the trail. During the winter, that means snowmobilers. In warmer months, there are bicyclists, motorcyclists, ATV riders and pedestrians who stop by for food, drink and a break.
Despite the many customers who pop in occasionally, Frantum and Hollman said the local community is really what keeps the business going. Because of that, the bar has a recurring schedule of fun events to draw locals and visitors.
“Mondays is card night. Wednesdays is pool, and this winter we’re going to be starting Puzzle Night. Thursday nights are bingo, during the winter,” Hollman said. “In the summer, they play bags. Friday is usually bring your own meat, and we usually have live music on Saturdays,” Hollman said. Burgers are typically grilled on Sundays.
Outdoor seating is provided for warmer days and nights.
“The live music is popular; we usually stay pretty busy,” Frantum said.
Frantum and Hollman work long hours but say they are blessed to have good help, too.
“There’s nine, and they’re all part-time,” Hollman said. She added that regular customers often will have a favorite employee and try to come in when that person is working.
“We’ve got good help. Sometimes one of us will take a little mini-vacation, and the other will stay back. And we do get away, both of us, sometimes,” Frantum said.
Hollman added that the bingo on Thursdays is more than just fun; it also raises money to help the community.
“Bingo is a dollar a card, and a max of four cards, and then all of the proceeds go down to the food bank at the school in Panora,” Hollman said. “I think we’re on our seventh time, and we’ve raised just over $900. It goes over very well. It’s 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays.”
Frantum said Just One More strives to offer good food and drinks at a fair price. He’s often witnessed groups that will come in from Des Moines or other urban areas, and when they get the bill, they’ll ask, “Is that all?”
Frantum and Hollman said they have no plans for significant changes in their business.
“It works the way it is, so why change something that works?” Hollman said. n
