The newly rebuilt Trout Farm Inn is closing in on completion after a catastrophic fire broke out on June 5, 2016, and should be back open for business in late July or early August, according to one of the owners, Russell Gross.
The fire broke out in the hood above the stove and grill, and above the Ansul Fire Suppression system installed in the hood. Despite the best efforts of Kelly McGuire, who had been was leasing the building for his restaurant for the previous five years, the old wood framing went up fast, gutting the building.
The 3,000 square foot building nearing completion, estimated to cost close to $1 million, has the exact same footprint as the former restaurant and bar, but the interior will be somewhat better appointed with higher ceilings, fire sprinklers and full compliance with American with Disabilities Act requirements, according to Gross.
“We’re very excited about getting it re-built, and wish we could have gotten it completed sooner for some of this year’s tourist season, but it takes what it takes,” Gross said. The large swimming pool directly adjacent to the restaurant was undamaged by the fire, but Gross said the liability was just too great to have the pool open to the public during construction.
Despite the same footprint, getting the new building approved by County planning and building officials took 20 months from the date of the fire, according to Gross, but, shrugging his shoulders and without rancor, Gross said, “it just takes what it takes- everybody has to see and sign off on the plans.” Rittenhouse Construction is the contractor for the new building.
The Trout Farm Inn is a local, historic landmark for many in the San LorenzoValley, developed by Bill and “Ma” Fischer in 1942. The ponds in Zayante Creek close to what would become the Trout Farm Inn attracted trout fishermen as early as the turn of the century, coming by train that ran along what is now Zayante Road and stopping at Olympia station, according to a history put together by Ed Jasmin. One of the ponds was operated as trout farm hatchery, said to be the oldest commercial trout fishing pond in California.
“When I was seven years old, I caught a trout in one these ponds,” said Gross, who explained that the group who make up the LLC that owns the property all have deep family roots in the local community. “When fishermen would get skunked up in Loch Lomond, many of them would stop here for one more try, in a stocked pond,” Gross said.
“In its heyday this was a very happening spot. It was one of the very few places in the valley where you might need a reservation,” Gross said.
“The partners in the LLC have been awesome throughout this rebuilding project- they should get the kudos,” Gross said. Nonetheless, the consensus of the partnership is to put the property on the market once the building is completed, according to Gross.
The property includes four, cottage-style residential rental units, undamaged by the fire, as well as an old, dilapidated hatchery building, and the large swimming pool. “The property is very unique, and is somewhat designed for an on-site, owner/operator.” Gross said.
