(Photo above: owners Ashley and Aaron Okura | courtesy of Sisters Saloon)
If you’ve ever driven down the main street of Sisters, it’s easy to get a feel of the old west. A time when cowboys saddled up at the post office and grocery store and settlers from the east came through in search of opportunity.
The history of Sisters dates back to the late 1800s and its city buildings maintain a historic western esthetic. On the corner of Cascade Avenue and Fir Street sits the old two story Hotel Sisters built by businessman John Dennis in 1912. The hotel once occupied eleven rooms, a large gathering area and saloon. Over the years, the hotel has seen many changes, ownership and businesses. Most recently from 1985 to late 2015, the building was home to Bronco Billy’s Ranch Grill & Saloon – a true local favorite.
Fast forward to April 1, 2016 – the hotel doors opened once again, this time as the Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill now owned by Ashley and Aaron Okura. Ashley grew up in Sisters and Aaron is from Hawaii. They met in California and lived together in Salt Lake City for several years.
“Practically growing up in this building, I have so much respect for its history. I purposely chose colors that were used in the early 1900’s,” says Ashley. “During renovations it was our goal was to restore the building to reflect the craftsmanship from when it was originally built, as Hotel Sisters.”
“We put hand troweled plaster on the ceilings and walls, covering the floral wallpaper, then painted with a color palette I chose from the early 1900’s. We sanded down and refinished all the wood, except for the back bar. We put in a new copper bar top to match the bar ceiling. We replaced the white one-inch hexagon floor tile that surrounds the bar and hand cut ‘Hotel Sisters’ in black hexagon tile to pay homage to the building’s origin.
Digital photo copies of the old city of Sisters were given to the Okuras via the Historical Society. There are also framed leather postcards from the early 1900’s and an impressive collection of taxidermy that surround the dining room and bar.
Aaron has worked in the restaurant industry for the past twenty years, so when the opportunity to open his own business in his wife’s home town came to be, he couldn’t have been more excited.
The couple moved “home” from Salt Lake City last fall bringing along with them head chef, Juan Martinez with whom Aaron worked alongside for eleven years.
“Our ranch grill dishes up traditional cowboy fare with a nod towards modern trends, including quality steaks, 100 percent grass-fed all-natural burgers from steers raised in Sisters, locally sourced produce and some healthy vegetarian and gluten-free dishes as well,” says Aaron. A menu they are certainly proud of with some old Sister’s favorites. A majestic staircase leads to the old hotel rooms now renovated to be used as banquet rooms and meeting spaces. There are two sets of swinging doors that lead into the classic Western saloon serving up local beer, wine and spirits. A door from the bar leads out to a gigantic outdoor patio.
“We look forward to utilizing our large outdoor patio. Under the laid pavers, there are natural gas lines for up to six fire pits. Plans for a back wall and an entertainment stage and a front half wall will create a more intimate space for guests to enjoy live music,” says Ashley.
“With so much family history with this building, it is truly a dream come true to bring it back to life! We are happy to be restoring this historic building for the locals and look forward to serving our friends, old and new.”
Sisters Saloon Ranch & Grill
190 East Cascade Avenue
Sisters, Oregon 97759
541-549-7427
sisterssaloon.net
Open every day, 11am to midnight
