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GREATER STILLWATER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / PRESS RELEASE Chamber Celebrates Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery’s 40th Anniversary
Owners, Jeff and Tammy Chilson, cut the ribbon at the Chamber celebration for Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery’s 40th Anniversary. Photo courtesy of Kristina Marshall, Kristina Lynn Photography and Design.
August 28, 2019. Stillwater, MN. The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce celebrated member Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery’s 40th Anniversary at a ribbon cutting celebration on August 27, 2019. The event took place at 224 South Main Street. Mad Capper owners (current and previous), family, staff, friends, Chamber Ambassadors, members, and staff were there to join in the celebration.
The Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery was founded in 1979 by Martin Anderson, and was purchased by the Chilson family in 1981. Richard and Kay, who attended the event, grew the establishment into one of the longest tenure restaurants in Stillwater. After 20 years of success, their son, Jeff, and his wife, Tammy, bought the legendary bar and have continued the family-owned and operated business. The Chilson’s are pillars in our community, as is the structure they spend most of their time in. The building that houses the Capper was built in 1890 as a shoe store, and in 1900, for six brief years, it became a grocery store. Since that time it remained a saloon by several different owners, one of which was John Ertle, who took over from 1927-1971, under the name Ertle Brothers. John was a professional boxing champ who housed his practice ring in the rear of the saloon. Needless to say, the building has history. Jeff told us during the event, “There are definitely ghosts in this place. Ask the staff,” he laughed. “And, if you are here at closing time, turn off the music, and get really quiet, you can hear the knock of the old mad hatter.” True story, or a ploy by this local owner to get us to hang out at his historical drinkery?
Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery
224 South Main Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
651.430.3710
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