Jim Jacob

Jim Jacob has been connected to Bender’s Tavern for nearly his entire life. As a child, Jim spent summers at the restaurant alongside his father, Wilbur Jacob, helping clean and care for equipment during the July shutdown—early experiences that laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the family business.

After graduating from high school, Jim proudly served two years in the U.S. Army. Following his discharge, he officially joined Bender’s on May 1, 1962, learning the restaurant business from the ground up. When his brother, Jerry Jacob, joined him, the two worked side by side to uphold Bender’s reputation for excellence. Jim’s responsibilities were wide-ranging, with a primary focus on supervising the bar—an area where his care, consistency, and standards became well known.

One of Jim’s most cherished contributions began during the Christmas season, when he took charge of making the restaurant’s Tom & Jerry batter—his “baby” until his retirement in 1999. What started as a seasonal task became a beloved holiday tradition that continues to this day.

Beyond Bender’s, Jim has long been active at Shady Hollow Country Club, where golf has remained a multi-generational Jacob family tradition. In 1979, he proudly won Shady Hollow’s “Blue Coat” tournament with partner Bill Shearer.

Even in retirement, Jim’s connection to Bender’s has never faded. He continues to spend several days a week at the restaurant, managing the dining room, greeting longtime guests, and working alongside the dedicated staff. For Jim, Bender’s has always been more than a workplace—it is a lifelong home built on relationships, tradition, and pride.