The most famous gambling joint in Newport was the Smuggler’s Cove. It was a restaurant located in a restaurant in a historic building overlooking the bay front. The woman who ran the Smuggler’s Cove was named Gracie Strom (probably still is). Gracie is most famous on the Oregon Coast for running a different restaurant by the name of Gracie’s Sea Hag Restaurant & Lounge, in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Gracie’s story is well known in the area. She opened the Sea Hag in the 1960’s with her husband, who died soon after. The Sea Hag features fresh fish and Gracie’s weekly concerts. Gracie tried hard to stand out from the crowd. For example, she plays music on bottles for the patrons of her restaurant.

Smuggler’s Cove was open in the 1990’s. My only picture of the location was borrowed from a story on the internet posted by a local newspaper.

For some reason, two different $1 chips have been attributed there: A gray chip hot stamped with “Smuggler’s Cove” and a red chip hot stamped with “Gracie’s.” Perhaps this chip was used at another restaurant owned by Ms. Strom? I have tried to write Ms. Strom several e-mail messages about these chips and her gaming establishment, but I have not received a response.