Historic
Depot Restaurant For Sale

By Miles Shuper

Visalia
– The Depot, one of Visalia’s premier restaurants, is for sale.

Owner Jan Piperis said that after
35 years of ownership, it is rather sad to sell the Depot but it’s time
for her to retire.

Piperis said there have been inquires
from potential buyers but no sale is pending.
The property is being listed by Hyde Commercial Properties. Broker Brian
Hyde confirmed the property has been listed but could not disclose the
asking price. He also confirmed he has had several inquires from local
as well as out of the area restaurant owners but there is no pending sale.

“Jan has indicated she is ready
to retire,” Hyde said, adding that he has been hired “to market
the property.”

Piperis and her husband, Andy Piperis,
who died several years ago, purchased the restaurant in 1975, about four
years after it underwent a major remodeling and conversion into a fine
dining restaurant and lounge.

Over the years, The Depot has earned
and maintained its status as one of the Central Valley’s most popular
— and ritzy — restaurants. It’s theme, which features numerous historically
significant depictions from the early 1900s train and rail era, has drawn
visitors and customers to 207 E. Oak Street in downtown Visalia.

An active rail line used daily by
the San Joaquin Valley Railroad passes within 30 feet of the restaurant’s
massive wooden front doors and during business hours a large bell is rung
whenever the train passes.

The Depot’s famed 612 Lounge honors
Southern Pacific Engine 612, which traveled the Valley in the heyday of
stream engines.

At one time, the now-defunct Visalia
Electric Railroad also used the depot as a terminal.

The Depot’s décor was updated
in recent years but continues to feature an outstanding collection of
local memorabilia, including photos, paintings, examples of stocks and
bond documents linked to early railroad eras, stained and beveled glass
and crystal windows –and huge chandeliers imported from Spain.

The Depot remains open for business
and is operating during its normal hours, Monday through Friday from 11
a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m. The restaurant is closed
Sundays.

The above story is the property
of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit
permission in writing from the publisher.