News
ENLARGE
The Grog n' Grist is a favorite spot for locals in Incline Village. It's been around for 36 years, and even though it has always had the same name, it has had many makeovers through the years.
The building was originally constructed by Bill Hane's father who encouraged Bill and Lola Hane to open a business in the building. After doing a little research of Incline Village, a convenience store and discount liquor was the perfect choice. The Hanes planned to make it a 7-Eleven, but when that didn't work out, they had to come up with a name.
“The market almost became the Sierra Quick Stop, but because of the English theme to Lamplighter Square and the emphasis on liquor and convenience food products, we decided upon Grog (liquor) and Grist (bread and food staples),” Bill Hane said.
The Grog n' Grist opened in May 1974 with the west side of the market dedicated to discount liquor and wine and the east side to convenience food items including beer, soda and milk.
“We also featured a number of slot machines. After all, this is Nevada,” Bill said.
You're a ‘groggy'
Bill and Lola found a booming business once open from both locals and tourists. They soon added a wine tasting bar that also became popular with selections from some well known California wineries. And it didn't take long before anyone who worked at the Grog n' Grist was called a “Groggy.”
Because food deliveries were not made to the Grog n' Grist in the early days, Bill and Lola Hane purchased a large dual wheel truck to get food and staples from the Cash n' Carry Store on Glendale Avenue in Reno. Only the liquor and wine deliveries were made directly to the store.
Of course, the early years were not without winter problems.
Lola recalled one major storm that closed a lot of area highways, and all the local markets ran out of bread and milk. So the Hanes headed down the hill in a truck and loaded up on the essentials — upon heading back up the Mt. Rose Highway, it was closed.
“Everyone knew each other in those days, and the officers knew I was trying to get food into Incline,” Lola said. “They checked my load and my truck snow tires and said it was up to me if I wanted to try going over the summit with all that food. We said we'd like to try and pushed a lot of snow in front of us trying to keep the truck between the snow poles. We got to the market, unloaded and word spread quickly that the Grog had milk and bread.
“We made a lot of folks happy that day.”
Another makeover — healthier food and even delivery
In November 1977, Bill and Lola Hanes sold the business to Joe and Veronica Mason.
“When it became clear that California was abandoning their fair trade pricing on liquor and wine sales and our sales advantage would be lost, we considered revising our business plan, but decided to sell so that Bill could pursue a real estate career,” Lola said.
Lola said that the Grog n' Grist added the deli as a makeover when the Mason's owned the business.
Today, the Grog has another owner and more changes. Paul Longshore lives and works in Incline for the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and is just completing another makeover of the Grog n' Grist.
“When I discovered the Grog n' Grist was facing permanent closure, I decided to spend my life savings to save this cornerstone Incline Village business,” he said. “I grew up grabbing Grog n' Grist sandwiches before heading out to enjoy beautiful Lake Tahoe. I wanted to save that tradition for others and didn't want it to end with the closure of a historic Incline business.
“I have come to love this community and I am glad to be entrenched now as a resident and business owner.”
Longshore said the makeover has been a slow process as he has spent most of the year cleaning and reorganizing the store on his own time. But visitors to the market can now see the fruits of his labor. On the Grog side is a small corner pub for locals and visitors to gather around.
“We will be offering an ever-expanding line of sprits from around the world. We will do our best to offer ‘hard to find' beers and micro-brews, but still have local favorites. There is also a full barista in the pub to enjoy coffee, especially if you want to add a spirited kick to it. The pub will also offer a pool table, dart board, music, Wi-Fi and TVs, with more to come,” he said.
Longshore also plans to offer “safe rides” to patrons that are living or staying in Incline. Other new things in store include: hand-tossed pizza and bread knots (sticks), a healthier line of salads and wraps, different sandwich sizes, a shift to a more organic and all-natural food selection and an expanding line of humidified cigars, compliments of friends from Incline Cigars. Longshore said customers will also be able to order keg barrels and sandwich trays for parties and events.
Plus the Grog is now offering delivery to customers in the Incline Village area and plans to have a website soon to help when ordering products.
The building was originally constructed by Bill Hane's father who encouraged Bill and Lola Hane to open a business in the building. After doing a little research of Incline Village, a convenience store and discount liquor was the perfect choice. The Hanes planned to make it a 7-Eleven, but when that didn't work out, they had to come up with a name.
“The market almost became the Sierra Quick Stop, but because of the English theme to Lamplighter Square and the emphasis on liquor and convenience food products, we decided upon Grog (liquor) and Grist (bread and food staples),” Bill Hane said.
The Grog n' Grist opened in May 1974 with the west side of the market dedicated to discount liquor and wine and the east side to convenience food items including beer, soda and milk.
“We also featured a number of slot machines. After all, this is Nevada,” Bill said.
You're a ‘groggy'
Bill and Lola found a booming business once open from both locals and tourists. They soon added a wine tasting bar that also became popular with selections from some well known California wineries. And it didn't take long before anyone who worked at the Grog n' Grist was called a “Groggy.”
Because food deliveries were not made to the Grog n' Grist in the early days, Bill and Lola Hane purchased a large dual wheel truck to get food and staples from the Cash n' Carry Store on Glendale Avenue in Reno. Only the liquor and wine deliveries were made directly to the store.
Of course, the early years were not without winter problems.
Lola recalled one major storm that closed a lot of area highways, and all the local markets ran out of bread and milk. So the Hanes headed down the hill in a truck and loaded up on the essentials — upon heading back up the Mt. Rose Highway, it was closed.
“Everyone knew each other in those days, and the officers knew I was trying to get food into Incline,” Lola said. “They checked my load and my truck snow tires and said it was up to me if I wanted to try going over the summit with all that food. We said we'd like to try and pushed a lot of snow in front of us trying to keep the truck between the snow poles. We got to the market, unloaded and word spread quickly that the Grog had milk and bread.
“We made a lot of folks happy that day.”
Another makeover — healthier food and even delivery
In November 1977, Bill and Lola Hanes sold the business to Joe and Veronica Mason.
“When it became clear that California was abandoning their fair trade pricing on liquor and wine sales and our sales advantage would be lost, we considered revising our business plan, but decided to sell so that Bill could pursue a real estate career,” Lola said.
Lola said that the Grog n' Grist added the deli as a makeover when the Mason's owned the business.
Today, the Grog has another owner and more changes. Paul Longshore lives and works in Incline for the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and is just completing another makeover of the Grog n' Grist.
“When I discovered the Grog n' Grist was facing permanent closure, I decided to spend my life savings to save this cornerstone Incline Village business,” he said. “I grew up grabbing Grog n' Grist sandwiches before heading out to enjoy beautiful Lake Tahoe. I wanted to save that tradition for others and didn't want it to end with the closure of a historic Incline business.
“I have come to love this community and I am glad to be entrenched now as a resident and business owner.”
Longshore said the makeover has been a slow process as he has spent most of the year cleaning and reorganizing the store on his own time. But visitors to the market can now see the fruits of his labor. On the Grog side is a small corner pub for locals and visitors to gather around.
“We will be offering an ever-expanding line of sprits from around the world. We will do our best to offer ‘hard to find' beers and micro-brews, but still have local favorites. There is also a full barista in the pub to enjoy coffee, especially if you want to add a spirited kick to it. The pub will also offer a pool table, dart board, music, Wi-Fi and TVs, with more to come,” he said.
Longshore also plans to offer “safe rides” to patrons that are living or staying in Incline. Other new things in store include: hand-tossed pizza and bread knots (sticks), a healthier line of salads and wraps, different sandwich sizes, a shift to a more organic and all-natural food selection and an expanding line of humidified cigars, compliments of friends from Incline Cigars. Longshore said customers will also be able to order keg barrels and sandwich trays for parties and events.
Plus the Grog is now offering delivery to customers in the Incline Village area and plans to have a website soon to help when ordering products.
