T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Tremont on Main Owners Jennifer and JP Howard are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their downtown fine dining restaurant at 24 W. Main St. on June 3.

A Marshalltown couple followed through with vigor and passion on a joint vision to establish two restaurants, an inn and condominiums all in a local historic building.

Now, 25 years later, their four businesses serve as the anchor of Marshalltown’s Main Street and central business district.

They have survived the vicious 2018 tornado, the devastating 2020 derecho, a worldwide pandemic, two recessions and competition from dozens of other restaurants and lodging enterprises in the Marshalltown area.

In 1998, Jennifer and J.P. Howard purchased the Tremont property from the Whitehill family. After extensive renovations, the Howards opened the Tremont on Main restaurant at 22 W. Main St., the Historic Tremont Inn at 24 W. Main St. and the Tremont Grille — Home of Muddy Waters Coffee Co. — at 26 W. Main St. on June 3, 1999.

In a recent interview with the Times-Republican, the Howards identified their candor with each other in discussing business ideas melded with their relationships with employees, customers and vendors.

“Jennifer has a way of evaluating my ideas and turning them upside down,” said J.P. “She will say: ‘No, you have it upside down. We must do it differently.’ And her comments have proved to be correct repeatedly.”

Similarly, Jennifer commended J.P. for his leadership, ideas, enthusiasm and work ethic.

Dozens of restaurants have opened and closed, and numerous lodging enterprises have experienced ownership changes since the Howards opened their doors downtown – a testament to their marriage, perseverance and skill.

“We were almost 50 when we started (the businesses) … so we decided what the community needed was in reviewing a study done by a professor from Iowa State University on leakage – that is – what monies were ‘traveling’ out of Marshalltown because there was not the goods and services available locally. (We learned) it was fine dining, a gourmet coffeehouse, a meeting place, upscale housing, hostelry and second story housing. So, we just gave the community what it was really asking for,” J.P, said in a previous T-R interview.

The documented need for fine dining inspired the Tremont on Main.

Marshalltown’s desire for a gourmet coffeehouse and meeting place with breakfast and lunch became the Tremont Grille – Home of Muddy Waters Coffee Co.

The Historic Tremont Inn serves the demand of local hostelry. The Howards said a number of Marshalltown businesses who board guests overnight or for extended stays at the Tremont Inn.

Four condominiums were constructed to meet the need for second story, upscale housing.

Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer is a regular customer at the Tremont on Main and Tremont Grille.

“Both have the best food and service within a 40-mile radius,” he said. “We regularly take guests for city-related business or for the law practice.”

Sylvia Lowrance and her husband Jim of Marshalltown are also regulars.

“The food is good and so is the atmosphere,” Sylvia said. “We go there every day to meet our friends and talk about issues of the day. Both restaurants are a wonderful place to bring out-of-town guests and family.”

Dr. John Wells, a retired Marshalltown dentist, is a regular at the Grille and echoed Greer’s and Lowrance’s comments.

“I like the quiet atmosphere and food,” Wells said. “The Grille is a real asset to the community.”

In like manner, the Howards said they enjoy their regular and other customers too. Since the Howards live upstairs in the building, no one can accuse them of absentee-ownership.

Both can be seen in their restaurant and inn on a daily basis.

The Howards were not new to the challenging, ever-changing world of business.

Both had learned to manage inventory, meet payrolls and supervise staff.

Jennifer, a Marshalltown native, had once owned and operated two coffee-shop businesses in a large Arizona shopping mall.

Later, she opened a coffee shop and café on Marshalltown’s Main Street.

Jennifer said she still has and uses the coffee roaster from that business.

J.P., a native of Cresco, sold Wilson golf equipment for 10 years.

He cited a sale to the late golfing legend Arnold Palmer years ago as a highlight. Then, Palmer owned a golf course in Latrobe, Penn.

2018 tornado posed huge challenge

One of their biggest challenges in 25 years of owning four business in the same building was devastation wrought by the July 19, 2018 tornado.

Starting near the village of Marietta, the tornado increased in power and destruction as it proceeded east and directly down Main Street, leaving broken glass, bricks and smashed vehicles in its wake.

The events of the day and aftermath remain clear in the Howards’ mind.

“The pressure from the tornado came down through our kitchen’s air vents causing the businesses front windows to blow out on the sidewalk and street,” said Jennifer.

The pressure also pulled the ceilings down in the restaurant.

Not long after the tornado lifted off on the 2000 block of East Nevada St., the Howards surveyed the extensive damage and devised an action plan for repair and re-opening.

There was no doubt they would re-open.

“I called my longtime friend, the late Larry Olson of Structural Engineers PC, of Marshalltown, who was eager to help despite being on vacation at the Ozarks in Missouri,” said J.P. “Larry returned immediately to help provide analysis of our building’s structure — which was determined to be safe. Our insurance provider had a drone survey the complex’s rooftop.”

The Howards also contacted Dick Plants of J&M Roofing, who had a crew on site immediately to repair the tornado-damaged roof.

Other skilled tradesmen who provided immediate assistance were B&G HVAC, Bjelland Plumbing and carpenter/contractor Rocky Monk all of Marshalltown.

“We had a great team effort and used local contractors,” said J.P. “We did really well together.”

J.P. said he was a quarterback on his high school football team and has seen the value of teamwork when all are pulling toward a common goal. Over the years, the Howards have endeavored to support a wide range of community endeavors.

They are members of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Marshalltown Central Business District association and more.

Jennifer served on the Marshalltown city council and also co-chaired with Judge Sharon Greer a mammoth project to paint the Center Street viaduct in the late 1990s. Hundreds of volunteers were recruited to paint the bridge on what proved to be the hottest day of that summer.

“It is hard to believe it has been 25 years of celebrations, memorials, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, baptisms, date nights, rehearsal and wedding dinners,” said Jennifer. “We thank our customers, staff and Marshalltown for 25 years of unforgettable memories.”

The Howards are offering 1999-priced items, a special brunch and entertainment all at the Tremont-On-Main to celebrate their 25th anniversary on June 2.

The Tremont Grille, serving breakfast and lunch, is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

The Tremont On Main serves classic American fare and cocktails Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to close and closed Monday. Reservations appreciated but not necessary. Reservations are necessary for parties of six or more.

For more information, contact the visit www.tremontonmain.com, or contact 641-754-9082 or 641-752-1234.

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