A Hawthorne landmark has been sold. In a recent Mineral County commissioner’s meeting, The Cashell Family Trust was introduced as having bought Joe’s Tavern.

The landmark had been owned recently by the Holder Group but is best known for owner Joe Viani, who was a colorful owner that filled the bar with Nevada relics and held large spaghetti feed on weeknights.

Robert Cashell, son of former Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, informed the commissioners that the trust had purchased not only Joe’s Tavern, but also the old Monte Carlo building along with the vacant property to the south.

Mike Fonatine, Mineral County Building Inspector, informed the commissioners that the Cashell’s were in the process of remodeling the business and that any concerns would be covered under the remodel.

Fire Chief T.C. Knight explained that he had done an inspection of Joe’s Tavern with the Nevada State fire marshal and any concerns that he had would be covered under the marshal’s request. The marshal has given the new business owners 30 days in which to complete the requests.

Cashell explained that he would like to clean up the property, with no offense to the history of Joe’s Tavern.

“I would like to do a landscaping strip in the south end of the parking lot, onto where it turns [on Fifth Street]. I would like to fly an American Flag and some other flags on that corner. It’s such a visible corner,” Cashell said.

Commissioner Paul MacBeth suggested that possibly a gazebo be placed on the property with some benches and walking paths.

The business license was approved, as was the new liquor license for Joe’s Tavern.

Bob Cashell is a Nevada businessman and politician who held the positions of Lieutenant Governor of Nevada and Mayor of Reno. In 1967, he purchased a truck stop called Bill & Effies which they would turn into a casino/resort called Boomtown Reno, selling his interest in the property in 1988. He with his son Robert also partnered in such developments as Alamo Travel Plaza and the Topaz Lodge.