It's Game Day for the Lucky Spur

Two weeks ago when General Manager Michelle Kich stood in the center of Stew's Sportatorium at the Lucky Spur, she didn't think it could be finished.

Kich, who is a cousin of co-owners Michael and James Stewart, worried that the sports bar and family restaurant would not meet its projected opening day of June 13. But now she's ready for the Big Day.

"I didn't build the ship but I'll make sure there's smooth sailing," Kich said.

Monday at 6 a.m. the doors will swing open for business after 30 years. Locals will see a brand new Lucky Spur, Carson City's last downtown revitalization project. It has 100 employees, which includes 45 servers, 20 hostesses and 15 busers. The kitchen is headed by Chef Ray Belarde.

After 14 months of renovation and $1.7 million, the 10,000-square-foot sports-themed bar and restaurant is a mixture of the old and the new. The renovation period was marked by delays and unexpected costs. The owners had expected to open by November of last year.

The 1880s-era building didn't have much to redeem when it came to amenities. Owners Michael Stewart, Robert Stewart, James Stewart and Scott Johnson replaced the plumbing, electrical, gas and the wood floor. The only things they kept were the roof and the existing brick wall, which gives the inside of the restaurant a Comstock-era feel.

The Lucky Spur sign remained on the brick building at the corner of North Carson and Proctor streets. The original casino sign on Proctor Street, which once said "Silver Spur," was redone. Now the blue, white and green sign reads "Stew's."

Construction workers found a mural of a V&T train on the north wall that stretches from the dining room to the restrooms. Unable to save it, the wall was filled in and painted maroon. Michael Stewart's grandmother, Frances Horning, recreated the mural on canvas, which hangs over the bathroom entry.

About 280 people can be seated inside and on the patio. The menu contains entrees priced from $7 to $14 on breakfast, lunch or dinner. The first customers will roll in for breakfast, but the owners aren't giving any predictions on how it'll fare.

"We'll know Monday," said Stewart.

"Manic," said Scott Johnson.

The two owners stood on the back patio, which should be completed by the July 4 weekend. On that patio are two large blocks of granite that were pulled out of the old wood floor. One will be used as a bench, the other a marker. They haven't had time to think of what they'll put on that marker yet.

Something as equally momentous: serving the first beer brewed from their beer pub.

"The first beer will be ready for the Taste of Downtown," said Stewart, referring to the 12th annual charity event, which will draw more than 4,000 people to 20 blocks downtown for food sampling and shopping on June 18. "It'll be honey ale. We'll have four more off the bat - blueberry blond, amber and a stout."

Johnson said they have agreed to purchase the historic 302 N. Carson St. building from owner George Halyak for an undisclosed price.

In addition to the homage to pop sports culture, the family also has left its mark on the decor. Framed sports jerseys and uniforms displayed above the doors have all been worn by Stewart family members. Robert Stewart's old plumbing jacket is behind glass, as is Scott Stewart's yellow motocross racing uniform. He died of an aneurysm in 1993.

Robert Stewart said this is an exciting time for them all. On Monday morning he will be "sitting here watching everybody. I'm letting them run it."

Joe McCarthy, city economic development and redevelopment manger, said he can't wait to have a cold beer at Stew's and celebrate their achievement.

"I've been in town since 1970 and there hasn't been a time when that building hasn't been vacant and looking sad," he said. "The effort these guys have put in -Mike and his partner Scott and the Stewart family - remodeling and getting this historic building back into service has been remarkable."

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.