Jim Mathis honored to be running the Vet's Club, a long-time community icon

Jim Mathis of Waukon took over ownership of the Vet’s Club in Waukon March 15. “The Vet’s Club has been an icon in the community for many years and I am enthused to continue the tradition,” Mathis said.
Mathis has years of experience in the restaurant business. He worked at Clancy’s Supper Club in Lansing from 1985 to 1988 and from 1992 to 1993, and at The Cliff House in Decorah from 1993 to 1994. He was the head chef at the White House Supper Club from 1994 to 1998 and managed the Elk’s Club in Decorah from 2005 to 2008.
A veteran of Operations Just Cause and Desert Storm, Mathis feels a special bond with the Vet’s Club. “The pictures on the wall of those who have served and are serving in our military give the Vet’s Club a special bond with many in our community, including myself,” Mathis said.
Mathis said he took over ownership of the restaurant because the time was right and he wanted to get back to Waukon to be closer to family and friends. “It’s also an opportunity to work with some great organizations like the VFW, the American Legion, the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary who do so much to help out our veterans and those serving now,” he said.

A native of Allamakee County, Mathis grew up in rural Lansing and Waukon and graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1988. He says that taking over ownership of the Vet’s Club has given him the opportunity to see old friends as well as meet new people. As a new business owner, Mathis has also discovered some challenges. “There is a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work I didn’t know existed,” he said.
Mathis said that in the fall, he hopes to expand the upstairs of the Vet’s Club and start offering dinners. “My hopes are to serve dinners Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays,” he said. “Thursdays would be BBQ ribs and chicken, Fridays fried and baked cod night, and Saturdays would be prime rib and ribeyes.”
“I am so very honored to be running the Vet’s Club and look forward to being here and part of the community for a long time,” Mathis added.
The Vet’s Club is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to close and Saturday from 2 p.m. to close. For more information, call 563-568-2530.