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Sacramento icon up for sale: Owners of Old Ironsides say it's time after 85 years

Old Ironsides in Sacramento opened in 1934. The family said it's time to retire.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Old Ironsides in Sacramento is up for sale. It first opened its doors in 1934.

The family said it's time to retire. 

"I have a plan," said Sam Kanelos, Old Ironsides manager. "I have things I wanna do, places I wanna go. I'm looking forward to it."

Kanelos's family opened Old Ironsides. It has stayed in the family over the decades.

Kanelos's first job was as a kid at the bar and restaurant.

"I washed dishes when there were no automatic dishwashers," Kanelos said. "I was like 12, 14-years-old. We used to have Sunday dinners at that time and my dad had me come down and wash dishes on Sundays."

Photos of Old Ironsides are archived at the Center for Sacramento History.

There are also old photos inside the bar and restaurant too.

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"Being the first bar in Sacramento, I can remember my grandparents telling me they used to open at 6 in the morning," Kanelos said. "And before they opened, there was a line outside of people wanting to go in." 

Kanelos said his retired parents still show up to Old Ironsides and are never too far away. 

"My father has been retired, but he comes in everyday. [He] sits in a corner stool and overlooks everything and takes off," Kanelos said. "My mother is up in our office and she still keeps active with the numbers. Keeps her sharp.She enjoys it."

However, the family said it's time to say goodbye and sell the business.

"It's not easy," Kanelos said. "It's an emotional climb you have to take cause we've been doing it for so long. But it's time."

The family will still keep the building, but it's up to the new business owners on whether they will continue to keep the name. 

"I would also hope they respect the tradition of this place, the ambiance," Kanelos said. "I understand you have to come in and make changes. You have to have your own vision, but hopefully you can work both of those together. That would be the perfect thing."

There is no exact date of when the new owners will take over. Kanelos said they're currently taking offers. 

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