OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Embodying the Mountain Life
Cabona ’ s has served residents and visitors to Truckee since 1918
STORY AND PHOTOS BY Steve Martarano
Stefanie Olivieri , left , has owned and operated Cabona ’ s , the oldest retail establishment in Truckee , since the late 1960s . Olivieri , pictured with employee Nancie Schoener , still works the floor serving customers .
Stefanie Olivieri was smitten with Cabona ’ s the moment she first visited as a child . The clothing store , which opened in 1918 and is the oldest retail establishment in historic downtown Truckee , was her family ’ s business . Her stepmother was the wife and heiress of the late founder Dave Cabona , and Olivieri started helping out around the store at age 9 , mainly sorting buttons . She later became a shareholder and took the business over in 1966 when she was still in college .
Olivieri has been in charge of Cabona ’ s ever since , establishing herself as a local entrepreneur who also has gone on to own and restore other local landmarks such as the Truckee Hotel and the old Southern Pacific freight depot . Meanwhile ,
22 comstocksmag . com | August 2021