Marysville’s historic Silver Dollar Saloon is listed for sale, an opportunity which includes both the building and all its resident antiques.

 

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Silver Dollar Saloon, Cortez Room, Stassi’s 4th Ward Tavern, Field and Stream, and the 7 Mile House, besides being some of Marysville’s most iconic bars, are all businesses that went up for sale over the past six months.

In addition to this, each owner is selling the historic property that their business inhabits. Could this be the chance of a lifetime for prospective buyers or a cause for alarm within the local economy? Let's dive in to find out more.

Silver Dollar Saloon

Marysville’s Silver Dollar Saloon, located at 330 1st St., announced the sale of both its business and historic property in March. Owners Joseph Ferrie and Meigan Soo Ferrie obtained the business in 2018 following in the footsteps of Joe’s parents, Jacki and Gary Cumings.

“It is absolutely 100% something that has benefited our lives,” said Meigan. “We were able to keep up the building, we were able to buy it, we have a lot of assets now and we’re financially stable because of this place.”

While running the Dollar has been their passion, the couple said the food and bar industry isn't for the faint of heart.

Over the years, they have faced their fair share of hardships, including the pandemic-related shutdowns of 2020, a kitchen ceiling collapse in 2023, skyrocketing PG&E costs, increased insurance rates, and fluctuating markets that continue to drive up the cost of goods and services. Nevertheless, the two report a good standing within their business and have always seemed to find a way to bounce back.

“It's never been an issue building business back up again but this is a grand scale for a single family to operate,” said Meigan. “You've got the restaurant downstairs, the venue upstairs, the catering and liquor catering. For one family - two adults and three kids - it's manageable but it's really taken away from our family life.”

With that in mind, the couple decided to scale down and focus on being with their children while there's still time. The Dollar is currently listed at around $1.5 million for both the business and building and includes thousands of antique relics. Three liquor licenses are also included, which cover the bar, restaurant, and catering or special events. The Ferries said they hope to pass on their business to a younger couple with the energy and drive to continue the Dollar’s legacy into the next generation.

“Marysville, the trajectory of it is moving forward and there's some good stuff happening right now, so we decided that's the best time to sell it,” added Joe Ferrie.

Cortez Room

D and D’s Cortez Room, located at 315 5th St. in Marysville, turned heads with the release of a listing video created by Tyler and Co Films on July 18. Its listing agent, Adam Avalos, said the business was only on the market for about five days before getting bites.

“I think it just speaks to our marketing,” said Avalos. “I think marketing is just super important and at the end of the day, it's all about getting the word out to as many people as possible.”

Avalos reported that the bar is currently in escrow and may take a couple months to finish transfer to a new owner.  Territorial Dispatch was unable to contact the owners for a reason on the bar's sale, however, Brad Hudson, owner of Stassi’s 4th Ward Tavern in Marysville, said he believed one of them was experiencing health issues.

The Cortez Room in Marysville was listed for sale in July and might have a new owner.

Stassi’s 4th Ward Tavern

Speaking of Stassi’s, the rich history of this establishment was also featured in a listing video made by Tyler and Co Films this past July. A fire station originally occupied the site in 1861, but by 1870, it was obtained by Western Pacific Railroad to be used as a waystation and boarding house for its members. Nearly 100 years later, Sam and Bob Stassi took over, changed the name and brought in their love of baseball.

In 2014, Hudson, a retired fireman and a current Marysville City Councilmember, purchased the business and building for the sole purpose of fixing it up.

“I never really wanted to own a bar, I just wanted to have a business that would be able to pay for me to fix the building and I have done that,” said Hudson proudly.

Wanting to “leave his mark” on Marsville, Hudson reported investing approximately 90% of his business’s profits back into the building over the past 10 years. He said his staff and business have both quadrupled but its growth has also become an obstacle of sorts.

“It's become its own monster and I don't mind the monster, I just didn't want the job,” explained Hudson. “I would love it if somebody’s got the energy and the desire to take on what has been built to keep going.”

While Stassi’s has changed hands multiple times, this is the first known time that the bar has ever been listed for sale on the open market. The sale could potentially include the business, building and a fourplex apartment next door.

Hudson hopes to sell all three as a package deal for around $1.8 million but is open to other options with a priority on selling the business and bar building first.

“I would have liked to sell it prior to Covid but that kind of took a toll on the industry,” said Hudson. “Now I just want to go while the going is good.”

Stassi’s 4th Ward Tavern has been listed for sale for the first time in known history to the open market.

7 Mile House

This somewhat-out-of-the-way operation has been under the ownership of Debra Daniels Armbruster and Charlie Armbruster since about 2010. The couple inherited the 7 Mile House after the passing of Debra’s father, Roscoe Smith, and it has since served them as a bittersweet reminder of home and connection.

“Everything in it reminds me of my father, something he touched or used. It's been so hard for me to let go,” said Debra.

The couple have spent the last 20 years trying to balance their responsibilities at the 7 Mile while working full-time and residing in Monterey. The constant travel and work have been exhausting, and they said they are now ready to fully enjoy retirement.

“We called our kids and just kind of got the blessing from our family,” said Debra. “We always thought that maybe one of them would take over the business, but as life would have it, they’re married and have children and careers and it's not as easy for them to do what we did.”

The 7 Mile, located at 3166-3178 State Highway 20 in Marysville, was established in 1850 and originally served as a stagecoach stop between the Gold Country and Marysville. The 3,084 square-foot building includes a full bar, lounge and dining area with the potential for a commercial kitchen. There is also ample outdoor and patio space as the property sits on two full acres.

“In my mind, I keep hoping that it's going to go to some young couple who have the energy and enthusiasm to bring the real life and history of the 7 Mile back,” said Debra.

The 7 Mile House is currently for sale, including its historic 3,084 square foot building and two acres of property.

Field and Stream

During its search, the Territorial Dispatch was repeatedly told that the Field and Stream Tavern, located at 612 B St. in Marysville, was also for sale. This was confirmed via online correspondence with the owner, who said the sale was currently in its waiting period.

It was implied by other local bar owners and listing agents that Field and Stream had been for sale for some time and that the owner, Wolfgang Hooper, was a real estate broker who had other business operations in Sacramento.

“From what I heard, he owns another bigger bar and maybe Field and Stream was kind of like his test bar,” said Avalos. “Sometimes, they have to buy these properties in order to buy bigger ones, to kind of prove that they can run a smaller one.”

While it might be unusual to see so many prominent businesses for sale at the same time, it appears their reasons are simply coincidental. The common thread here points toward a desire for freedom and the hopefulness that each business will find a loving owner who will carry it on tactfully into the future.

The recent sale of Field and Stream in Marysville is still awaiting full details.