Many bars in this day and age have lost touch with down-home values — but not Tradewinds Deli and Lounge.

Tradewinds represents hometown values and camaraderie, and patrons look down on the reckless behavior found in many trendy bars.

“It’s a safe place to come and drink, have a good time, and not get in trouble,” owner Steve Soesbe said. “We don’t encourage people to get stupid drunk. The people that come here is why people come here, and a woman won’t get hassled,” explaining that he or one of the patrons would interject if a predicament occurred.

“[Tradewinds] doesn’t rely on strippers,” said Robert Hoffman, a Tradewinds regular. “It is an institution in the city of Ames.”

“It’s kinda like ‘Cheers’,” Daine Love, another Tradewinds patron, said.

Soesbe bought the old Midwest Vending Warehouse 18 years ago, turned it into a bar and named it Tradewinds Deli and Lounge. The name comes from a bar that was in business during the ’50s also called Tradewinds, and also on the same block.

Since then, Tradewinds has doubled in size by taking over The Krypton Club after it shut down. But it still isn’t enough for Soesbe.

“I wish we could have more room,” he said.

One of Soesbe’s biggest reasons for wanting more room is because he wants to build a new kitchen. Within the next couple of months, he plans to be able to accommodate lunch.

“We are being forced to diversify because of the new drinking laws,” Soesbe said.

The kitchen will add to the already existing menu of deli sandwiches, “Mom’s” chili, soup, pizza and garlic bread.

Tradewinds Lounge also offers variety of entertainment.

Everyday at 5 p.m. Jeopardy can be seen, a new release movie is shown during the evenings Monday through Thursday and golf, football, basketball or baseball can be seen on the screen during various other times. When the TV isn’t on, oldies can be heard playing in the background.

On Friday night, Tradewinds offers its most popular event — karaoke.

“It’s just kind of a zoo,” Soesbe said about Friday night karaoke.

Tradewinds’ happy hour is daily, from 3 to 7 p.m., and includes two-fers specials.

But again, even when entertainment isn’t running high, patrons agree with regular Tonia McCarley that the main feature of Tradewinds is the friendly atmosphere.

“It’s a fantastic place,” John Diller, another patron, said. “And it’s been here forever.”

“If you want to know what is going on [in Ames], come here,” Hoffman added.

“A lot of small town kids that don’t like the meat market atmosphere of the Campustown bars come here,” Soesbe said. “I don’t really cater to the college crowd, but they are more than welcome to come in.”

Tradewinds Deli and Lounge is located on 115 Fifth St.