T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Bobcat Pines/MAMA DiGrado’s Pasta & Pizza Owner Rolly Danner, left, and American Legion Post 46 Golf Pro/Director of Operations David Boles, right, pose for a photo outside of the lounge area on Monday morning. As of last week, the full MAMA’s menu is now available inside the restaurant, which is located at 1301 S. 6th St.

It’s safe to say that both American Legion Post 46 — along with its affiliated golf course and lounge — and MAMA DiGrado’s Pasta & Pizza, a popular local Italian restaurant previously located in the Marshalltown Mall, have both faced unique challenges within the last year. But the two entities have formed a new partnership that their respective leaders believe will be mutually beneficial in the long run, and they couldn’t be happier to be doing it together.

As of last week, MAMA DiGrado’s Owner Rolly Danner officially has his full pizza and pasta menu up and running after previously sticking to more traditional American fare under the name Bobcat Pines inside the 19th Hole Lounge at 1301 S. 6th St. The Bobcat Pines menu, which includes items like burgers and tenderloins, will still be available going forward for now, but Danner said the MAMA’s menu had already begun to overtake it in its first week.

“I will say this. Without having the menu and the bar and everything that we had going on there before we opened MAMA’s, (Bobcat Pines is) actually what helped us survive and get over the hump and pay bills and keep everything going forward because it was a big step,” Danner said. “It was a leap of faith in (Boles) trusting me to take over this, and I’ve heard nothing but positivity. We’re only a couple of months into this relationship, and we have a lot of things planned.”

Legion Golf Pro and Director of Operations David Boles has been impressed with the “outpouring” of support Danner and his restaurant have received thus far.

“Their relationship with MAMA DiGrado’s is unparalleled in my mind and my vision. The other night, an early Wednesday evening last week, I’ve never seen so many cars in the parking lot, both for golf but mainly for dining, and our entry road continues with cars coming in — lunch time and dinner time,” Boles said.

Danner added that he was happy to hear from former Marshalltown Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard, who was at the course, about the size of the crowd that night. Boles and Danner recently got through their first golf tournament together and were pleased with the results.

“I made some money. They made some money, and it’s all gonna go back to the Legion. At the end of the day, that’s kind of what we’ve been doing and what our goal is, to get the Legion back to where it needs to be,” Danner said. “That’s our mindset is Legion first and then community.”

Currently, the upper level of the lounge is the main dining area, and the downstairs will be available to rent while remaining a meeting space for organizations like the Legion and its auxiliary arm with plans to add dartboards and pool tables in the future.

While Boles and new Legion Post Commander Troy Underhill were forced to work through the temporary suspension of their sales tax license due to continuous nonpayment under previous leadership, it was reinstated earlier this year. Conversely, Danner dealt with the uncertainty around the Marshalltown Mall after power was shut off in the common areas back in November of 2023 due to continuous nonpayment by the previous owners — New York-based Kohan Retail Investment Group — and was then left without a home after he and the new owners, Reserve Development of Dallas, Texas, were unable to come to an agreement on a lease.

“I don’t think I could’ve ended anywhere better,” Danner said. “You know the individuals that I’ve had a bumpy road with, we can say that, but I want to thank them. They got me out of my comfort zone. They got me into, probably a place of comfort that I didn’t even know that was even here in town. So honestly, absolutely, I’m in a great location with great people surrounding me and a mentor (in Boles). He has a lot of knowledge in this game, and I think this is gonna be great for the next five years for both of us. Dave’s here every day. Every day I’ve been here he’s been here, so that’s a pretty dedicated person.”

And the admiration is mutual.

“I’m pleased to have Rolly’s following to be here. There’s a lot of community people that I’ve talked to that knew the American Legion was here, but a lot of people still thought it was a private club and it wasn’t a public facility or public bar even,” Boles said. “It’s good to see that (new people are visiting)… It’s been a great matchup, and it’ll be rewarding.”

Some of the organizations meeting at the new space include the Noon Optimists and card groups. MAMA DiGrado’s/Bobcat Pines will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday year-round, and the bar will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. The restaurant can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/MAMA-DiGrados-Pasta-Pizza-100041766532209/.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.