Retro goodness is indeed bountiful in Bountiful, Utah. Reader vintigchik gets snaps for spotting this cowboy themed basement bar for sale and emailing me about it. I reached out to the seller — and in our exchange, he mentioned how this 1950s house had held another treasure: $45,000, which he found in the garage attic right after he bought the house — and which he promptly returned to the original owners’ heirs. Yowza. Is there anything else we really need to know than: Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
Pam, Just a quick note to send you the link to this awesome bar I found for sale out here in Utah…. The owner has the good sense that this is unique and should be saved! I also emailed the seller with info about your blog in hopes they’ll send you pics before the rip out all of this 50’s greatness. Enjoy! -vintigchik
Then I called Josh Ferrin, the owner of the cowboy bar for sale, and he emailed me back right away:Hey! Just got your message about our cowboy bar.
We’d love to have you blog about it. Do you need larger pictures? Also, you might have heard of this house before. See here. So excited! Thanks!
Now, first: No one will be permitted to get into a Comment tizzy because Josh is selling this set. He totally appreciates the set, and says there is plenty of other retroliciousness going on in the new/old house. This just doesn’t fit their vision. So — he’s putting it out there into the retro universe.
Moreover, this a family that discovered $45,000 in the garage attic when they bought their house — and then promptly returned the money to the heirs of the owner from whom they had just bought it. These folks are putting out seriously good karma!
One more link: Josh is a professional illustrator and designer. His etsy story is Ginormous Robot.
I’ll also archive the text, for posterity:
Antique 1950’s cowboy bar. Large, retro and unafraid of its western roots.
Bountiful, UT – Aug 4, 2011:
This has got to be one of a kind.So, I just bought a house built in the 1950’s and this is in the living room downstairs. It doesn’t quite fit with our vision of the house. But it is so unique I had to find a home for it.This bar is in pristine condition — the varnish top is still shiny and smooth. The bartop features a fantastic retro country pattern with cow skulls and brands. There’s a second shelf on the interior of the bar with the same pattern as the bartop.
One end of the bar attaches to the wall and rotates upward to allow you, in your cowboy regalia to go behind and serve up brewskies, ice-cream or whatever you and your posse are hankering for.
The faux-leather front is accented with similar patterns and a giant horsehead.
The bartop has been partially disassembled for easy transport but the base is still attached to the floor. So, bring a truck (it’s at least 8-feet long), a friend, (solid wood, my friends) and a prybar (still attached to the floor with a few nails).
This is something of a wonder. Take care of this beauty, she could be the last of her kind.
Also included, a pair of antique saloon doors that match the bar.
Thank you, vintigchik! Thank you, Ferrins!
Dot says
Great story all the way around!! Love the floor.
BungalowBILL says
I have a secret love with that dude ranch stuff. I hope the bar goes to a good home. The money story is amazing. Makes me feel good to know in spite of it all, people will do the right thing.
Not to mention his website is awesome. Love an artist that has a humorous side. Good luck Josh!
Valencia Bathe says
Amazing story and incredible pieces! I love Retro Renovation for so many reasons!
gsciencechick says
That is really cool, and I’m sure it will find a good home.
Lauryn says
I don’t DARE show this post to my (Texan) husband (I show him just about every other post) or he will be jumping in his old ford truck and driving to Utah from Iowa to get that bar!! If we had a place to put it, I might though!
Great story, all around!
JKaye says
I love it that there are some swinging doors into the room, to go with the cowboy bar.
vintigchik says
I’m curious if I could use VCT tiles in my 1968 split level. Do you think this was still used then, Pam? Or had this gone by the wayside by the late 60s?
martin says
LOL @ the implication karma is real… you f’n hippies kill me.
pam kueber says
Hey don’t make fun of us karma believers — It is bad karma 🙂
kathy hora says
WHAT? Karma isn’t real? WHO SAYS?
LOL – having seen karma at work, I am a true believer!
vintigchik says
Pam, I remember that story too but had no idea it was the same family. I was wondering what type of wood you thought the walls were. Is this just a nicer plywood?? If so, that would be so easy to do even today. I guess readily available materials still rings true. Also did anyone notice the beautiful VCT floors? I just love this color combo. It would look fantastic in a turquoise kitchen: either steel cabinets or ranch 🙂 I’m glad this story made the blog. Even on a bad day, I can look forward to a little bit of fun and happiness on your blog. Thanks Pam for keeping these wonderful items “alive”. And thanks Josh for sharing!!
Charm and Poise says
Well, howdy! That whole room is actually delicious, but that bar is simply scrumptious! If I could jam it into my tiny apartment, I would do it in a heartbeat!