Issue date: December 23, 1998

WOODSIDE: Ralph Oswald era ends at Village Pub WOODSIDE: Ralph Oswald era ends at Village Pub (December 23, 1998)

**After 40 years, the Pub will close and reopen next summer under new owners.
By MARION SOFTKY

When the Village Pub opened its doors in 1958, it was the first San Francisco-style restaurant on the Peninsula, recalls owner Ralph Oswald. "Before that, there was nothing but steak houses," he says.
Over the next 40 years the Pub prospered along with Woodside and environs. Its bar was the place to hang out for locals and celebrities alike. The late Tennessee Ernie Ford, who lived nearby in Portola Valley, made the bar his headquarters, Mr. Oswald recalls. Mr. Ford was also part of a weekly Friday lunch bunch.
Now Mr. Oswald has sold the building that houses the Pub and the Coldwell Banker office next door to JMA Properties of Cupertino.
Although the Pub closes at the end of this month, its new owners promise to open a new, completely remodeled Village Pub under new management. "It will stay the Village Pub. That's an icon for Woodside," says Art Chapman of JMA Properties. "We hope to have the restaurant open by next summer."
Plans for renovating and expanding the Pub building are under review in Woodside and will come before the Planning Commission in January, tentatively at a hearing January 6.
The plans call for completely remodeling and expanding the interior space of both the Pub and the real estate office, Mr. Chapman says. Only the front of the building facing Woodside Road will stay the same, but with a fresh coat of paint. "It will stay 'Pub Row' for another 50 years," he says.
The Coldwell Banker office would expand into the end of the present Pub. The Pub will be then expanded toward the parking lot, with a deck for outdoor dining added at the back over the parking lot, which is to be developed by the town.
The developers also proposed to develop the lower level at the parking lot, currently used for storage and a small kitchen. They plan a dining room for private parties of up to 20 and additional office space for Coldwell Banker.
The frames and tape now around the Pub are somewhat misleading, Mr. Chapman warns. The frame that extends uphill from the building shows the five-foot walkway required to separate the Pub from the adjacent Gilbert property, not new building. Behind the Pub building, the frame indicates the boundaries of the deck, which is proposed to be cantilevered out over the parking lot. "The area below will be open," he says.
Meanwhile, JMA is still talking to some of the best-known chefs in Northern California about running the new restaurant, Mr. Chapman says. "It will be someone everyone will be very, very pleased with."
All in the family.

Actually, Ralph Oswald has been in the restaurant business on the Peninsula for 50 years.

He came to Woodside in 1946 and joined his uncle, Joe Stadler, in developing a 200-acre parcel at the intersection of La Honda Road and Skyline Boulevard into what is now the Skylonda Corners commercial area. Mr. Stadler later developed the residential area of Skywood Acres.

Mr. Oswald remembers opening the Skyline Fountain, a coffee shop, market and gasoline station to serve the growing population in the hills. Later he operated the popular Skywood Chateau, now Boulevard Restaurant Bar & Grill, for many years.

The Village Pub opened in 1958. The building previously housed Charlie Brawley's Hackamore Restaurant. Even earlier, Nick Jurian operated "My House," a bar serving hamburgers, at the same location, recalls Mr. Osland.

Under the management of Jack Schutz, Mr. Oswald's brother-in-law, the Pub drew the rich and famous to enjoy gourmet fare in the dark, smoky dining rooms, popular before smoking became politically incorrect. People would drive down from San Francisco, Mr. Oswald remembers.

As Sand Hill Road offices attracted a new crop of venture capitalists, the Pub became the luncheon capital of the Peninsula. Since Thursday night was maid's night out, a lot of Woodsiders took refuge at the Pub -- some came just to look as if they had maids, even if they didn't, he chuckles.

In 1988 the Pub was remodeled. The redwood paneling was painted over and windows opened to achieve the restaurant's present light and airy look. Since Mr. Schutz retired, Bill Oswald, Mr. Oswald's son, has operated the Pub.

The Pub was not Mr. Oswald's only restaurant. Over the years he was proprietor of the restaurant at the Circle Star Theater and the Lobster Trap in Foster City. He still owns Fresco restaurant located at the Creekside Hotel in Palo Alto.

Does he regret leaving Woodside and the Pub?

"Not really," Mr. Oswald replies. "Normally I just walk away and look for the next one. This time I'm not looking."