RECOGNIZING STAGECOACH INN

RECOGNIZING STAGECOACH INN

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S969-S970] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING STAGECOACH INN Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor the Stagecoach Inn as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for February 2025. The Stagecoach Inn was founded in 1959 by Willie Schrier, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and a trained horse jockey. Willie was a pioneer in the food and bar industry, priding himself on providing high-quality service and a great meal to every customer at the Stagecoach Inn. For over two decades, Willie successfully ran the business before passing it down to his fraternal twin daughters Mary and Marian Schrier in 1980. The sisters, alongside their cousin Nettie Allen, maintained the restaurant's reputation for exceptional food and hospitality. The sisters sold the establishment in 2009, and much to the dismay of many Treasure Valley residents, new management closed the businesses in 2011. [[Page S970]] Luckily, a group of loyal customers and former staff rallied to recruit Wanda Martinat, a longtime server at the Stagecoach, and customers Fred and Francie Oliver, to acquire the restaurant. The Olivers dedicated countless hours to updating the facilities while maintaining its beloved 1960s atmosphere. With their encouragement and partnership, the Stagecoach Inn reopened its doors in 2015, welcoming back many of its original staff. Wanda Martinat's story is one of perseverance and deep Idaho roots. Her parents' families endured the injustices of World War II when they were forcibly relocated to the Minidoka internment camp. Her mother was 13 at the time and her father, age 17, had joined the U.S. Army to avoid internment. After the war, her parents met in Caldwell and had seven children, Wanda being the middle child. Her parents passed down their values of resilience and hard work, which has shaped her approach to managing and co-owning the Stagecoach Inn. Today, the Stagecoach is thriving and remains a feature of Idaho's political and social fabric. Throughout its history, the restaurant has been known as a gathering place where business contracts were signed on drink coasters and political discussions that changed Idaho's legislative landscape occurred. Congratulations to the team at the Stagecoach Inn on their selection as the February 2025 Small Business of the Month. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success. ____________________