Rumor Mill in Full Swing with
Stephanie’s Cabin, Ship Inn & Josephsons
By Liz McMaster
There’s been much speculation and rumor regarding the properties located at and around 12 W. Marine Drive, the location of Stephanie’s Cabin, Josephson’s Smokehouse, Small Stop and the Ship Inn which is located behind the Small Stop. The facts are much different from what is being said. Here is what we know:
Stephanie’s Cabin closed last month and at the time of this printing, the property shows as owned by Gone Fishin, LLC. The owner was unavailable for comment, but word is that the property will be put up for sale. Stephanie’s is the latest business and property to experience a major change in the grouping of establishments between Marine Drive and the Columbia River.
The Ship Inn was sold to developer Mark Hollander in 2016 with the speculation of a hotel to be placed at the site. Of consideration, along with the site, is the boiler from a cannery fire in 1973 which remains in place. That boiler and the view as well as the surrounding land is considered a historic landmark. The Ship Inn site comes with a lease related to that piece of property in order to maintain both the view and historic character. Beyond April of 2017, the seller of the Ship Inn property “doesn’t know what’s going to happen after that.” Hollander was unavailable for comment as of publication date.
As for the other two businesses, it’s important to get to the source in order to dispel rumors. Mike Josephson of Josephson’s Smokehouse says it is his intention to “continue doing business right where they (Josephson’s) are.” In regards to a sale, the building remains in its original ownership and is not slated to be torn down, nor is it for sale.
The Small Stop, a 76 gas station and convenience store just to the east of Josephson’s, is owned by Don Small of Auburn, WA. “It is not for sale, has not been sold and is not slated to be demolished,” says Kizzie Adams, the station’s manager. She continues, “Nobody has even asked.” As it stands at this time, these are all the facts we have on what’s for sale, what has been sold, and what is or isn’t going to be torn down. We will update this article as more information emerges.
