A historic gem and beloved local watering hole, the William Tell House, which claims the title of the oldest saloon in Marin County, has been put on the market for a cool $2.65 million, as per the listings. Potential buyers have the chance to snag the property for $2.4 million and cough up an additional $250,000 for the business, which includes a Type 47 liquor license, necessary for operating a bar that serves food.
Established circa 1877, this saloon is not just a mere establishment but a repository of times past; in a statement obtained by SFGATE, the current owner Ted Wilson described the wrought atmosphere, "You just feel it when you walk in that room. It resonates warmth and has tons of stories ingrained into it," Wilson, who leads the Always Fishing Hospitality Group, took control of the site in 2018 and has since spruced up the place, although with a careful hand to ensure its historical essence remained intact.
For those looking to dabble in the realm of hospitality and gastronomy, the official listing suggests that a well-executed food and beverage program here could be lucrative, the site is well placed to attract a large tourist base passing through Highway 1 to destinations like Dillon Beach or Bodega Bay. The restaurant has been recently renovated and is equipped for over-the-counter service to accommodate high traffic, yet it holds potential for scaling down in the off-season to cater to local residents.
Beyond the bar and dining space, the William Tell House offers more than just drinks and good eats, it boasts of four short-term rental rooms, each fetching an average of more than $200 per night, with options to expand or develop additional space, according to the same listing. "We made it through COVID, basically struggled through it like everybody, but made it to the other side, definitely with some bumps of bruises," Wilson told SFGATE, sharing the trials the business endured during the pandemic; he expressed a shared desire among the investing group to divest from the historic saloon.
Wilson, who cherishes the property dearly, is seeking a buyer who values both the quality of dining and the accommodation they provided and the sense of inclusive community they've fostered. "I love that property," Wilson said, "I still want to see it run as a restaurant and an inn, and see someone still embrace the historic nature of that property," he detailed his aspirations for the next proprietor to maintain the connection with local farms and ranches, thus continuing the legacy they began.
