While construction continues, the Mazama Public House opening has delayed by supply chain issues.
A significant loss in Mazama due to coronavirus was an indoor gathering place. Even though the space was small, the Mazama Store offered somewhere out of the weather to rub shoulders with neighbors and visitors alike, quaff a beverage, sip a soup, watch a game — so 2019. Then, it was gone.
It was with delight that Mazamans learned of the plans of Bill Pope (former owner of Mazama Country Inn) to build a pub, believing, if you build it, they will come. He assembled a consortium of investors, many valley residents, to insure that the project would have the financing it needed to be completed.
Fast forward to now: Mazama Public House has taken shape and looks to be as Pope expressed at its inception: “perfect for serving the community and the tourism trade.”
Due to supply chain issues (again, thanks to coronavirus), the completion of the pub has been pushed out with a hopeful July opening. Contractor Tom Bjornsen says, “We are working on it!”
The weather in July will be spectacular for sitting on the deck and enjoying a beverage from one of 15 taps and menu items provided by Old Schoolhouse Brewery. Drinks will include several beer options with a rotating tap, wine, cider, and kombucha. Three garage doors opening to Goat Wall views will provide natural light and fresh air.
Plans include a big screen TV for sports watching. The pub is also fully wired for at least small-group musical performances. Pope plans to have quite a few musicians perform there. Eventually, options for a beer garden and fire pit are also on the drawing board.
In true Methow-made fashion, Pope explained that the bar tops, counter tops and table tops are all made from a 350- to 400-year old Douglas fir that was harvested on Lee Whittaker’s property by the McKinney Ridge neighborhood. Local resident Roger Rowatt milled the tree. Nils Knudsen, another valley resident, did the woodworking.
Another victim of the pandemic that returned this year was the Easter egg hunt sponsored by Winthrop Kiwanis Club, Twisp Valley Grange, Ulrich’s Pharmacy and B-S Bar-B-Que. Dozens of kids and parents showed up for the event and barbeque at Pearrygin Lake State Park on Saturday (April 16), as did Easter Bunny himself. Thanks to eager Key Club members from Liberty Bell High School for helping out in extraordinary fashion.
