Outside, the smell of greasewood rides the wind. Ragged wood and old-time architecture take observers back to the ’80s. The 1880s. Inside, the floor is uneven—scuffed in some places and polished to a shine by countless feet in others—and creaks just about everywhere. Knickknacks and bric-a-brac from days of old adorn the place. It’s just the way they want it.
Dan and Ana Thompson and Chef Bobby Ostini are bringing the 1880 Union Hotel back to life. The hotel was first restored in 1972, but after owner Dick Langdon’s death, it fell into disrepair. Two years ago, the Thompsons picked the building up out of the dirt and began to lovingly brush it off.
And they’ve done a lot of work on subtle elements. While intentionally leaving doors unpainted, they’ve gone to town on the ceiling.
“No one comes in and says, ‘Hey, nice not-peeling ceiling,’ but they sure notice one that is,” Thompson remarked.
While everything about the place shouts authenticity, there are a few concessions to these modern days. A digital jukebox sits next to the upright piano, a flat-screen monitor shines at the front desk, and what Dan calls “the authentic 1880s Jacuzzi bathtub in the presidential suite” welcomes visitors in search of a soak.
Along with the beautiful rooms and the Bacchic bar, there is, of utmost importance, a bustling kitchen headed by Chef Ostini. Despite his being surrounded by a mountain of work, Ostini welcomed a Sun reporter into the kitchen, where he answered a few questions. The former Hitching Post stalwart explained his goals as head chef: “I want to bring the same quality, same passion for food and love of people to this venue.”
While the official opening is set for Sept. 29, the Union Hotel’s doors are already open. The “soft opening” brings with it 10 percent off food—but not drinks, so don’t get your hopes up.
But there’s more than just a restaurant. The Union Hotel is a fully functioning hotel with 14 rustic rooms, two of which are full-fledged suites. Patrons might be lucky enough to stay in the room where the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson “Say, Say, Say” music video was shot.
There’s a lot of history to the place, and Thompson really wants that time-built character to be appreciated. When someone suggested that he use baby powder to quiet the squeaking floors, he refused.
“It squeaks, and that’s how you know,” Thompson said of the building’s authenticity.
It’s a sort of filter for patrons. Thompson finds that people intrigued enough to stop and stay at what appears to be a ramshackle hotel are themselves interesting people.
With the 65th Old Days Celebration set for Sept. 23 to 25, now seems like the perfect time
for the newly gussied-up 1880 Union Hotel to make a splash.
They’ve got the location (362 Bell St.); they’ve got the chef (Bobby Ostini); and they’ve got more: Thompson closed out the recent tour with a list of amenities.
“We’ve got horseshoes, shuffleboard, and pool,” he said. “What more could you want?”
Highlights
• Quintron Systems, Inc., a Santa Maria-based high-tech communications firm, announced on Sept. 14 the release of AccessNsite 7.9, a security management software platform intended for federal agencies, contractors, and critical infrastructure organizations.
You may understand this next part only if you’re in the business: According to the company, the new version of AccessNsite allows for seamless operation of single or multiple brands of access and alarm control panels forming Quintron’s “single or mingle” hardware vision. Features include multiple methods of achieving HSPD-12 compliance, and PLACS Physical-Logical access control capability.
Multiple panels are supported by the software, including Mercury Security, HID Vertx and Edge, Bridgepoint TrustZone, and DMP X500 Series IDS.
For more information, call 928-4343 or visit quintron.com.
Biz Spotlight was written by Intern Michael McCone. Highlights are compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Sep 22-29, 2011.