Jollie’s closes doors after 54 years

Jollie’s was packed for the last time on Sunday, Oct. 8.

The Clark County staple located outside of Ridgefield off of Interstate 5 had its last day of business with one final gathering of patrons and bands, capping off an establishment history that stretches back more than five decades.

Jollie’s came to be when family patriarch Bill Jollie got laid off from a brewery, his son, Dave, explained, leading Bill to buy a tavern in 1963. Over the next two decades additions would give it a kitchen, restaurant and lounge.

Dave said the commotion on Sunday was more akin to what the business used to experience regularly, but with changes over time patrons thinned.

In the next millennium changes to the I-5 interchange would cut off the establishment from the interstate side roads. Three years ago Bill died, leaving his offspring, including Dave, to take the reins.

As to a reason for selling the family business, Dave said the encroachment of development would eventually cut off their 

business from traffic. He mentioned “very emotional family meetings” the family had before making the decision to sell the property to Killian Pacific, a firm owning several of the nearby parcels.

The coming days were especially emotional as patrons came in for their “last meals” at Jollie’s. Though the decision to sell didn’t come easy, the amount of community outpouring, evident in the packed house jubilantly dancing along to the bands, was no doubt recognized.

Dave said the response on social media had been “overwhelming” with well-wishes and good memories of the establishment. A banner was hung up in the vestibule where people had a chance to sign and give their own farewell to the place.

The family sense went farther than just patrons, as although he is a part of the family business, Dave said he made sure employees thought of him as a co-worker, not co-owner. He likened the overall feeling of the establishment to a song, Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar.”

Dave hoped the decision to sell was something his father would have been proud of.

“This is a tribute to him,” Dave said about Sunday’s event.

Of the business’ supporters, Dave said the musicians who came and played at Jollie’s were an integral part of their success. The event Sunday was actually coordinated by one of Jollie’s regular bands, Uproar, as a “last hoorah” for the establishment.

Uproar singer Angie Jolley (no relation, other than a longtime family friend) said her parents played the business back in the 1970s. She said given the history there needed to be some sort of grand finale.

“I didn’t feel it right for them to go out quietly,” Jolley said.

Jollie’s community support was evident in their fundraising help, as Jolley explained that for any benefit concerts or events they threw, the business never charged them for hosting it. What’s more, they themselves would dig deep and give when needed, she added.

“They have always just been very kind to everyone, and you feel very welcome when you walk into the door,” Jolley said. “It’s kind of like ‘Cheers.’”