Genoa Bar best heritage saloon

GENOA, Nev. " Willy Webb has bragging rights of being the owner of True West Magazine's best heritage saloon. Webb is the owner of Genoa Bar & Saloon that was chosen for the magazine's Best of the West January 2009 edition.

"A nice plaque and letter arrived in the mail," said Webb. "They sent an issue of the Best of the West special edition that had best knife maker and best boot maker and then had a color picture of the Genoa Bar as best heritage saloon. It made my whole week."

The letter from True West regional sales manager Tom Tumas said, "This award is a testament to your hard work and tenacity to be 'the best' in your category and it is recognized by the people who love the West as much as you do... On behalf of the staff of True West Magazine, we salute you for representing and celebrating the American West."

Webb said he wasn't aware when one of the Arizona-based magazine's editors visited the Genoa Bar, but the photo featured in the magazine was taken in the summer or fall when the bar is decorated with flags.

"Once in a while I hear things out of the blue that make me realize what a treasure the Genoa Bar is," said Webb, who has owned the Genoa Bar & Saloon for eight years.

"One of my favorite things about owning this bar is seeing people from back East or out of the country come in here. This old bar attracts people and lets them forget their worries for a while,"he said.

Webb said the best heritage saloon award arrived in a plexiglass case.

"It was a nice gesture but I'm going to have it reframed in barn wood and hang it in the bar," he said. "It goes against the idea of a heritage award to have something made of plexiglass on the wall."

The Genoa Bar, Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor, is near the corner of Main Street and Genoa Lane. Owner Willy Webb said designated drivers may drink non-alcoholic beverages for free. Information at www.genoabarandsaloon.com or 782-3870.