In 1981 an acclaimed band named “The Clash” rocketed up the music charts with a hit called “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” It’s the kind of song that’s likely played a lot at Scottsdale venerable watering hole Greasewood Flat over the years. And it’s the kind of question that has plagued the family that’s owned it in recent years due to acute federal tax issues following the passing of family patriarch “Doc” Cavalliere several years ago.
Thanks to a conscientious Scottsdale-based company and the Cavalliere family the answer to The Clash’s question, and the future of Greasewood Flat is . . . both, bringing good news to concerned heirs and customers.
“It’s been a long journey but what a terrific result,” said George Cavalliere and son of Doc who owns the current 42-acre property with siblings. “This vision is what our family wanted and we found a partner to help get us there,” he said.
The joint agreement between the family and Taylor Morrison Homes calls for the existing experience to remain in its current location for at least one year and likely longer until Greasewood is relocated to a more authentic, rural location to the north in Scottsdale. That 120-acre property is also owned by the Cavalliere family and abuts the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Members of the family will also build homes on the new site, as they have at the existing one.
“When we started Greasewood Flat we were out here by ourselves. But development has encroached on our experience causing us to lose some of the truly Western experience. That can’t happen at our other property that abuts land that will be preserved forever thanks to the generosity of Scottsdale taxpayers,” Cavalliere said. He said kitchen equipment has already been purchased for the new location.
As planned there will be no gap between when the existing Greasewood Flat relocates and when the new one also owned by the family will be up and running. City approvals for both parcels will be pursued later this year with the current 42-acre site renamed after the Cavalliere family for the redevelopment.
“This is truly the best of all worlds. We are thrilled for our customers and long-time employees. We weren’t forced to lose our property due to the inheritance tax issues that would have meant closure for Greasewood and we worked with a great Scottsdale-based company to smartly redevelop our existing site as well as work with us to plan and relocate to our new site that will generate revenue allowing us to build a great new Greasewood at a great new site,” Cavalliere said.
To celebrate the happy news a celebration is being planned for the spring.
“With so much uncertainty in recent years about one of our tourists favorite stops the certainty of Greasewood Flat surviving and thriving within Scottsdale for years to come is terrific news for our tourism efforts,” said Rachel Sacco, the long-time CEO of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.