Vol. 3, No. 10
.jpg)
March 15, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . | |||||||
 |
Find Out
More About Our Wonderful State. |
COPYWRITING
|
|
.
Time To Say Goodbye To A Friend As Historic Liberty Belle Closes March 17
Another Reno Landmark To Disappear Into The Dusty Pages Of Yesteryear
by Johnny Gunn
The old icons of Reno can be counted on very few fingers any more and now we're about to lose one that many thought would never be taken from us; the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant. Run by the Fey family for the last 48 years, it will close on March 17. It was my first day in Reno, May 25, 1964 that I stepped through those heavy brass doors for the first time and instantly knew I had found a home. There are thousands like me in Nevada that feel the same way.
The Liberty Belle (Photo by Johnny Gunn)
Brothers Marshall and Frank Fey opened the saloon and restaurant in 1958 and their children have grown up around that magnificent old bar, those hundreds of antique slot machines, political leaders by the gross demanding special service, and of course cowboys and Indians, Basques and Italians, Germans and Irishers. Frank's son Jeff is manager now since Frank and brother Marsh have tried to retire. Marsh's son Augie is the chef. Augie's first job was as dishwasher in 1972. He was 14. Jeff wasn't even born until 1961.
When we asked Jeff Fey what the worst thing that has happened to him since working there, he smiled and said, "I got punched once." He went on to explain that, "I was cleaning a table and accidentally knocked a butter knife into a guy's lap. He stood straight up and punched me so hard that I fell into the table behind me."
If you have driven north or south on Virginia Street you've seen the Liberty Belle. It's that sprawling little building with all the buggies and wagons on the roof. According to Jeff Fey, during this last half century the Liberty Belle has served more than 1.5 million pounds of prime rib. "We have always closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and once in a while there will be a snow day, but other than that, we have been right here and open."
When the Fey brothers purchased the place it was surrounded by alfalfa fields, sat lonely and singly "outside of town." Reno grew up around The Belle, as it's known locally. The Centennial Coliseum was built in one of those fields and is now called the Reno Sparks Convention and Authority (RSCVA) facility. The RSCVA has considered the saloon and restaurant a thorn in its side for years, attempted to close down the operation by way of eminent domain a few years ago, even went so far as to plant large trees along the south wall of the building in order to block out the Liberty Belle sign. Those attending conventions and other gatherings swarm The Belle for their superb food, atmosphere, and congenial help.
A huge public outcry slowed, never stopped, the RSCVA harassment. Many believe that the current woes associated with compliance with codes originated with the RSCVA. The Fey family does not hold with those thoughts. "It's simply a case of it would mean tearing out just about the entire operation to rebuild within current code as far as fire, electrical, and plumbing is concerned," according to Jeff Fey.
For many years the Liberty Belle had fresh steamed clams every Friday. "It was so successful," Jeff said, "that we had to clean up using rakes." There were lines out the front door regularly and interestingly, it was the very success that brought an end to steamed clams Friday. "We simply could not keep up with demand. It became impossible to serve the clams and still get ready for our dinner crowd."
The Liberty Belle is named for the first three-reel slot machine, which was invented by the Fey Brothers Grandfather. Marshall Fey is known around the world for the book he wrote, "Slot Machines." It has been published in several languages and sells thousands of copies annually. Marshall is also responsible for maintaining a huge collection of antique slot machines.
"The smartest thing we did," Marshall said, "was to purchase this place. We had the choice to rent, lease, or purchase and we purchased." He said the brothers bought the property for just $3,000 down, "and we had the option of making monthly payments on the down." Try that today.
In the late 1960s the Fey brothers added on to the existing building and created a theater on the south side. For several years there were live melodrama productions staged every weekend. "That was one of the best things we ever did," Marshall said. "It brought thousands of new customers to us, and the theater gave us an additional 40-percent seating capacity." While there aren't any stage productions any longer, the room is filled with diners at lunch and dinner. I was in several of those old melodramas and I have to say being on that little stage and looking out over full houses every single weekend was a thrill that won't be forgotten.
The question of course is, Why are they closing? The kitchen that has served so well for so many years is totally out of code, in particular the fire suppression system on the range hoods. To bring the kitchen up to code would require most of the building to be torn down, the entire electrical system and plumbing system then would have to be rebuilt, and basically what it would entail is destroying what is there and starting from scratch. "After all these years," Jeff Fey said, "It's more than we are in a position to do."
There is talk of creating a Liberty Belle hofbrau, but for right now, it's just talk, and there is talk of creating a museum for the slot machine collection, but just talk, and so, it is with large tears coursing down our cheeks that we must say: Good bye old friend.
•••