Amidst Gilbert's burgeoning nightlife and culinary scene, a battle for historical preservation emerges as the community rallies to save the Clare House, a centenarian structure with deep roots in the town's past. The residence, built in 1918, may soon fall victim to new development, a beer garden and nightclub known as Bottled Blonde, unless the townsfolk's efforts to relocate it succeed.

The Clare House, which most recently functioned as Bergies Coffee Roast House until its closure, is sandwiched between bars and restaurants on Gilbert Road, earmarked for demolition in May. Casey Kendel, chairman of the redevelopment commission for the town of Gilbert, is spearheading the campaign to raise $135,000. The funds are intended for the relocation of the house just over a half mile south, fronting the town’s historical museum, HD South. "We have to raise a ton of money, and we don’t have a lot of time," Kendel told ABC15.

As the second oldest building in Gilbert, the Clare House's historical significance has garnered attention from both residents and town officials. In a statement obtained by Gilbert Sun News, Denise Lopez, President/CEO of HD South, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that if the necessary funds are not raised, the structure will be razed to make way for the incoming establishment. Forest Clare originally opened his sheet metal shop in 1919 and the Clare House stands testament to those days now long past.

The community has shown some muscle in the fundraising efforts, with more than $14,000 collected so far. Developer Wags Capital, which plans to erect the Bottled Blonde on the site currently occupied by Clare House, has pledged to donate the cost which would be incurred for the building’s demolition – estimated between $9,000 to $10,000. "From conversations that have been shared, they have pledged, at the minimum, to donate the cost of what it would be to demo the building," Kendel told Gilbert Sun News.

Gilbert residents concerned about preserving the Clare House have until mid-May to achieve their financial goal to ensure that this piece of the town's agricultural heritage does not disappear under the shadow of progress. The house's relocation would not only safeguard its structure but also serve as an educational piece, articulating the narrative of Gilbert's evolvement from an agrarian community to the bustling town it is today.