Long-time Bay Area business owners Rosanne Mayclin and Penny Siler recently reopened the doors at Newman’s historical St. George Hotel. The due bring over 30 years of experience in the industry and said they are ready to innovate the Westside’s tastebuds.

In early 2023, Mayclin and Siler arrived from Santa Cruz — a move that wasn’t easy. A combination of unpredictable mountain conditions, Bay Area fires, COVID-19, and the unfortunate passing of Siler’s husband and son accounted for the move. They also saw the end of an eight-year venture, running The Summit House Beer Garden & Grill, in September 2022.

“We left because because of everything that happened in the family,” commented Mayclin. “There was COVID-19, and then the fires, and the mudslides.”

Mason’s Jar & Grill did not have an easy start. Business development had started in July 2023, but setbacks delayed their soft opening to late January.

“We started this business about six months ago, well tried to start this business. We ran into a lot of problems getting it opened with permits and the building needed so many things that we didn’t know about. We had to do this,” said Siler.

When Siler and Mayclin fist moved to Newman they noticed there was something missing. There weren’t many places to just “hang out” and have some good food, a sit-down place, where people could enjoy a game, or two, with cozy comfort food. And thus their idea for the Mason’s Jar was born.

“We want it to be a place that people can come here, be comfortable, and enjoy the historic… building. It’s beautiful, it shouldn’t be locked up,” said Siler.

Former Newman resident Steve Mason also encouraged the two  to open another restaurant. Hence Mason’s Jar & Grill, named after Steve Mason himself. Mason’s Jar boasts a variety of influences incorporated into wall art and fixtures that derive from Mason.

“He (Steve Mason) was the one who kind of pushed us into it. ‘We need a restaurant here, we need something.’ So we came here on his advice or his insistence and we didn’t know where we were going,” said Siler.

Mayclin and Siler did not hesitate to incorporate Bay Area influences into the eatery, including one of their many signature plates, fish & chips, which previous Summit customers deemed better than ones from the dwarf. The interior is reminiscent of Santa Cruz, Marina, and even Monterey. The bar and grill aspect of the restaurant is evident with the multiple televisions around the main dining area and bar for customers to enjoy the game while having a bite and beverage.

“We have seafood, beef, chicken, and some vegetarian items, which people are really grateful for,” noted Mayclin. “We brought a little bit of everything from Santa Cruz from our old menu.”

Mason’s Jar & Grill is still developing their menu, according to Mayclin and Siler. They offer Old Fashion burgers, Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, Chicken Bacon Blue and much more. Changes may be minimal, but they are still trying to see what works for the Westside. They are focusing, however, on handmade food and homestyle cooking, no frozen to fryer.

Mason’s Jar & Grill is located in downtown Newman at 1342 Main St. For more information, call (209)646-4848. 

Current hours of operation are: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and closed on Monday.