Mary Jane’s is finding its rhythm on Ames’ Main Street. The bar has been open since May 1, but the new business already feels like an old friend.
The six musicians who are co‑owners meet weekly, troubleshoot daily and keep refining the space they spent months repairing.
What they imagined as a community hub is quickly becoming one.
“We’re constantly trying to figure out how we can make things better,” co‑owner Bryon Dudley said. “We try to check each other, and we have a pretty good system of checks and balances.”
Mary Jane’s has a team with defined roles
Each owner has a lane. Dudley handles music booking and events, drawing on years of experience running sound at London Underground and booking for Max Ames. Rachel Dudley runs most of the live‑sound engineering and manages finances for the separate LLC that owns the building.
Jason Munday serves as general manager, overseeing day‑to‑day bar operations, staffing and inventory. Greg Bruna manages finances and payroll. Thomas “Tommer” Gordon, a chef at Iowa State, leads the food program. Tom Russell, retired piano tuner and husband of the bar’s namesake, offers guidance as the group’s unofficial “vibe lord.”
New Ames bar offers handcrafted pizzas and a growing menu
Gordon’s pizzas have become an early hit at Mary Jane’s. He assembles each by hand, freezes them and trains staff to bake and slice them to order. Pepperoni, sausage and veggie slices anchor the menu, with rotating specials like barbecue chicken, buffalo chicken ranch and breakfast pizza.
“We hit a milestone of our 100th pizza about a month ago,” Dudley said. “Now we’re up to 160.”
The team hopes to expand the menu with simple additions such as grilled cheese or walking tacos.
Mary Jane’s has a place for everyone
A third of the bar’s cooler is stocked with nonalcoholic drinks, a deliberate choice to welcome sober patrons and musicians.
“I want to make sure our friends who are sober feel welcome and can still come and hang out,” Dudley said. “In my head, philosophically, this is a community center that just happens to have booze and pizza, and we want to make sure we’re inclusive to our friends who aren’t drinking alcohol.”
Upgrades behind the scenes of a new Ames Main Street hangout
Renovations at Mary Jane’s have been steady. An electrician uncovered decades‑old wiring issues, including ungrounded outlets. Fixing them cost more than expected, but the upgrades improved safety and expanded the stage’s capabilities.
New outlets line both sides of the stage, ceiling outlets power lighting, and a newly installed stage door leads to a combined storage and green room.
Their first comedy show used the door for performer entrances.
“It feels a lot more professional,” Dudley said.
Mary Jane’s offers events that build community
Mary Jane’s is already hosting trivia, bingo, comedy, drink‑and‑draw nights and live music.
A movie screen is up, and DirecTV installation is coming soon, opening the door to sports watch parties and occasional film nights.
Outside, toward the alley, the covered patio remains one of the few attached outdoor spaces on Main Street. Patrons step out for fresh air, conversation, a cigarette break, or a reprieve from the crowd.
The owners know they are still learning, but the early weeks at Mary Jane’s have affirmed their vision.
“Our goal is small,” Dudley said. “Serve a beer, and then build on success after that.”
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: This new bar is carving out a unique niche in downtown Ames
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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By Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune | USA TODAY Network
