[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S969-S970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING STAGECOACH INN

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month 
I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by 
highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho. 
Today, I am pleased to honor the Stagecoach Inn as the Idaho Small 
Business of the Month for February 2025.
  The Stagecoach Inn was founded in 1959 by Willie Schrier, a U.S. 
Coast Guard veteran and a trained horse jockey. Willie was a pioneer in 
the food and bar industry, priding himself on providing high-quality 
service and a great meal to every customer at the Stagecoach Inn. For 
over two decades, Willie successfully ran the business before passing 
it down to his fraternal twin daughters Mary and Marian Schrier in 
1980. The sisters, alongside their cousin Nettie Allen, maintained the 
restaurant's reputation for exceptional food and hospitality.
  The sisters sold the establishment in 2009, and much to the dismay of 
many Treasure Valley residents, new management closed the businesses in 
2011.

[[Page S970]]

Luckily, a group of loyal customers and former staff rallied to recruit 
Wanda Martinat, a longtime server at the Stagecoach, and customers Fred 
and Francie Oliver, to acquire the restaurant. The Olivers dedicated 
countless hours to updating the facilities while maintaining its 
beloved 1960s atmosphere. With their encouragement and partnership, the 
Stagecoach Inn reopened its doors in 2015, welcoming back many of its 
original staff.
  Wanda Martinat's story is one of perseverance and deep Idaho roots. 
Her parents' families endured the injustices of World War II when they 
were forcibly relocated to the Minidoka internment camp. Her mother was 
13 at the time and her father, age 17, had joined the U.S. Army to 
avoid internment. After the war, her parents met in Caldwell and had 
seven children, Wanda being the middle child. Her parents passed down 
their values of resilience and hard work, which has shaped her approach 
to managing and co-owning the Stagecoach Inn.
  Today, the Stagecoach is thriving and remains a feature of Idaho's 
political and social fabric. Throughout its history, the restaurant has 
been known as a gathering place where business contracts were signed on 
drink coasters and political discussions that changed Idaho's 
legislative landscape occurred.
  Congratulations to the team at the Stagecoach Inn on their selection 
as the February 2025 Small Business of the Month. Thank you for serving 
Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great 
State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and 
success.

                          ____________________