The San Andreas Brewing Company’s Earthquake Pub, a Hollister
icon for nearly 20 years, is in the final stages of being sold, and
will apparently be remodeled into a sushi bar.
”
After all this time, we’re just done,
”
said Bill Millar, who runs the business with his wife,
Carol.
Hollister – The San Andreas Brewing Company’s Earthquake Pub, a Hollister icon for nearly 20 years, is in the final stages of being sold, and will apparently be remodeled into a sushi bar.
“After all this time, we’re just done,” said Bill Millar, who runs the business with his wife, Carol.
The Millars originally decided to sell the pub in 2000, and have kept it on and off the market over the course of the last five years. On November 16 they received an offer from businessman Eddy Chin to buy the restaurant. Chin intends to open a business called A&J Sushi, according the Millars. While no money has exchanged hands yet, the pub as we know it will probably disappear sometime early in the New Year.
“This is the first offer that’s ever really worked for us,” said Carol Millar.
The actual brewing equipment, situated adjacent to the pub, is being sold as well, though not to Chin. However, the Millars are keeping the San Andreas Brewery corporation name and plan to make and sell beer with another company in the future, though Mr. Millar has yet to select a partner.
Famous not only for beer and hearty food, the pub is a popular venue for local musicians looking for their 15 minutes of fame, as well as their adoring fans.
“It’s always been a special, family-oriented kind of place,” said Larry Elrod, who’s performed his own brand of acoustic rock and folk music at the pub since 1989. “Carol and Bill are lovely people, and the crowds there are always so forgiving and supportive of us struggling musicians. It’s like a Cheers sort of environment.”
Ed Degroot, another musician regularly featured at the brewery for the past seven years, shared that sentiment.
“The pub has always been there as long as I’ve lived in Hollister,” he said. “There’s seven or eight of us that play there, and it’s not like we need the work, but it’s always been such a great opportunity to get your music out there. Carol says every now and then somebody calls to ask when I’m playing, so there’s at least one person out there who enjoys it.”
Avid fans still have a few opportunities to rock out at the pub before it’s sold. Degroot will be playing Christmas music during the Lights On parade Saturday, as well as the following Friday. Elrod will be giving his farewell performance December 17.
“I guess it’s like Hollister’s version of the last waltz,” he said.
Though the Millars are happy to finally sell their business, leaving the business is bittersweet.
“I feel kind of sad, really,” said Mrs. Millar. “It’s hard to run a business downtown, but you really get to know a lot of people, and I’ll miss seeing all the familiar faces every day.”
Before long, however, local beer buffs and musicians will simply have to find a new haunt.
“I’ll play anywhere,” said Elrod. “But I’m not going to hold out any hopes that acoustic rock and sushi go too well together.”
No date for finalizing the sale has been set, although the Millars plan to close up shop once and for all early in the new year. Mr. Chin could not be reached for comment.
