Johnson-Stauer Building

The Johnson-Stauer building, situated on the northeast corner of Lansing and Ukiah Streets in Mendocino, is steeped in local history, reflecting the evolution of the town’s commercial and social life. In 1902, master carpenter J. D. Johnson, who owned the property, demolished an old barn on the site, which had most recently been used as a blacksmith shop. In its place, he constructed the current two-story structure, setting the stage for a series of businesses that would come to define Mendocino for over a century.

Johnson’s first tenant for the new building was John August “Gus” Leighton, a Swiss immigrant who arrived in Mendocino in 1881. Gus opened a saloon in the newly completed structure. Unfortunately, his health began to fail, and in March 1904, he sold the saloon to J. W. Barton. Gus passed away a few months later from tuberculosis at the age of 48. The saloon continued to operate under different proprietors until 1909, when liquor sales became illegal in Mendocino.

After the local prohibition of alcohol, the building transitioned into other forms of entertainment. In 1912, Justin Nelson and his half-brother Chester Barry opened a pool hall in the space, though they relocated a year later. In 1916, Henry Stauer moved his family into the second story of the corner building and opened a general merchandise store in the adjoining structure (where Goodlife Cafe & Bakery is located now). The downstairs corner space saw several ventures come and go, including an ice cream parlor and a candy store with another billiard room run by Chester Barry. The building served as a backdrop to the community’s shifting needs during a period of significant social change.

J. D. Johnson died in 1927, and Henry Stauer purchased several of Johnson’s properties from the estate, including the building on the corner and the adjoining general store. The corner saw further transformation when it became home to the Big River Justice Court following William Shaw’s election as Justice of the Peace in 1926. Although Shaw was defeated by J. D. Murray in the 1930 election, Shaw’s office and notary public service remained in the building until 1936.

That was the year that Joe King opened the Shoreline Grill downstairs, combining a restaurant and bar with a card room and billiards. King’s bar became a local fixture, remembered by townspeople for its atmosphere, the long mahogany bar, and Joe’s signature White Owl cigar, always clamped securely in the side of his mouth. Joe remodeled the upper floor into 10 apartments, further cementing the building’s place as a key part of Mendocino’s residential and commercial landscape.

Stauer sold the property to the Mendosa family in 1945, and the building’s purpose shifted once again. In 1947, Toni Robinson opened a beauty parlor, Antoinette’s Beauty Shop, downstairs. The shop closed the following year when Toni married Jack Lemos.

Starting in 1948, the downstairs space became home to a series of barber shops. Jerry McIntyre cut hair here from 1958 until 1975, and Mitch Ortiz took over from 1975 to 2009, adding to the building’s legacy. Notably, in 1987, the barbershop was featured as “Loretta’s Beauty Shop” in the fourth season of Murder, She Wrote. Today, Mendocino Gems Jewelry Store resides on the ground floor, continuing the long tradition of commerce at this historic corner of Mendocino.

Today! Two Walking Tours – Historic District @11AM and Haunted Mendocino @1:30PM. Tickets