Winships Restaurant located at 670 Bridgeway is the oldest brick building in Sausalito. Built in 1875 by Fred Fiedler it was the town general store. At some point in the 1940's it changed hands and then became known as "Five & Dime Store," and renovated as such since 1981.

     The Sausalito Sweet Shop Restaurant (our name before we became Winships) was for many years located next door at 676 Bridgeway. Originally owned by the Sweet family. It served breakfast and lunch in what was then a little fishing village. The Sweet Shoppe catered primarily to locals and commuters on their way to the many destinations you could travel to in those days only by ferry or train.

     In 1963 Bill Charles purchased the Sweet Shop from the proprietor at that time, Hazel Thomas. A successful real estate man, Bill had no restaurant training. He quickly teamed up with his new staff and learned from their "old-fashioned ways." As Bill points out back in those days, "when I bought the place it had an old screen door and fly strips hanging from the ceiling. The girls wore starched white aprons and served dishes like grilled cheeses or egg-salad sandwiches with potato chips."

     Owning a little restaurant in Sausalito in the 1960's was a rare experience. Bill tells, "I can remember when the Jefferson Airplane and other rock groups used to come in for a late afternoon breakfast after practicing all night next door at the theater. (Now a Timberland clothing store.)

     In 1981 the Sausalito Sweet Shoppe moved from its' home of 35+ years into it's current location in the old general store. We then became known as the Winship Restaurant. The name Winship is a family name. At that time a second floor was added and the building was made earthquake-safe. The new restaurant was designed to closely resemble the familiar Sweet Shoppe. There was an elaborate soda fountain along the back bar. And a teak and a marble counter with eleven seats. The marble had been acquired when the old Sand Francisco department store "The City of Paris" was torn down. Nautical artifacts, and many of the same staff were still here, making all the regular customers feel just as comfortable as they had been before. One staff person in particular was a popular local resident and longtime waitress Marian Stelling. Born and raised in Sausalito, Marian was widely known to be a permanent fixture at the "Sweet Shoppe." Her upbringing was very colorful, complete with experience as one of the select few girls who were hired by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad to be card dealers on the ferry boats from Sausalito to the City. Opening the restaurant and working six days a week for twenty-five years (by choice), she became a regular fixture. She retired in 1982 at the age of 82. Marian had a loyal following, and Bill was one of her biggest fans.

     In 1987, working in partnership with friend and local restaurant designer Pat Kuleto, Bill remodeled the restaurant to what you see today. We thank you for patronizing Winships and are proud to have you as part of our constantly evolving history.