When Sophia Martinez opened El Jalapeño Bar & Grill in Eagle Grove in June of 2019, she was hoping the community would respond well to their authentic Mexican food, unique margarita flavors, and weekend dancing in the basement. They did…and so did people from miles around. In fact, while the food and drink have been wildly popular, it’s the dancing that has exploded beyond expectation and is leaving them in need of more room.
“A lot of people from all over are coming to the nightclub (which is currently in the basement) and we just don’t have enough room,” explained Martinez.
In fact, even before COVID they were having to turn people away some nights.
While the pandemic has forced them to cut back to 50 percent capacity in the nightclub, they are optimistically planning for the future when they, and all businesses, can once again welcome a full facility of people without social distance guidelines.
“I never imagined we would expand so fast,” admitted Martinez, but she’s glad they are.
The answer to her expansion needs came when local businessman, Jim Christ, agreed to sell her his furniture warehouse located just west of the restaurant. Martinez is grateful, and excited to turn the building into their new, bigger, and better nightclub, hopefully by the end of May.
Martinez said they will do quite a bit of work before opening, though. One of her plans includes tearing down the existing ceiling to expose the original ceiling underneath.
“It has a really nice (original) tile-like ceiling,” she explained. “I’m excited about that because it really is beautiful.”
The new nightclub will feature a full bar offering mixed drinks, beer, and of course their famous margaritas. They will also have appetizers available for those who dance up an appetite, and maybe even a connecting door to the restaurant…but that is yet to be determined.
Martinez plans to have the nightclub open on Saturday evenings with live bands. They currently have a DJ for their dance facility in the basement of the restaurant, so that is another big change she is excited about with this expansion. She added that if there is enough demand, she would also be willing to have the new nightclub open on Friday evenings as well.
“I’m excited because it’s going to be a bigger and nicer place…and we will have a ‘nice’ dress code as well,” said Martinez.
While the nightclub is growing, she is also grateful for all of the customers who patronize her restaurant, especially during COVID.
“We’ve had lots of take-out orders…and the ‘to-go’ margaritas have been very popular,” she said. “I’m very happy with the community and all the support they have shown us since we’ve opened…and I appreciate how good the Chamber of Commerce has been to us as well.”
Work should begin soon on one of Eagle Grove’s newest attractions, so be sure and keep your eye on the building. Or you could ask for updates when you visit her restaurant.
