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History
of Freeland, Pa. Freeland taverns, saloons, bars - 20th-21st centuries |
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PARTIAL LIST OF LOCAL BARS AND BOTTLERS, SOME WITH COMMENTARY Please send additiona and corrections! [Thanks to Aileen Mattavi Evans, Maggie Farina, B. & J. Kulig, Ed Cheppa Sr., Eddie Barna, Sam Drozic, Charlie Rudewick, Ed Merrick, Jolene Lavinka Szymanski, Lorraine Potochney, Jack Polachak, Nancy Penn, Carolyn Moering, Pat Ferko Miller, Tom Lavinka, Jerry and Betty Kulig, Bill Feissner, Maggie Farina, Nicole Drozic Ashmore, Peter J. Curry, Mike Bobby, Joe Benish, Frank Balon, Jolene Lavinka Szymanski for additions and corrections.] Al's Blue Pines - Freeland/White Haven Highway (now Jimbo's Party Beverages?) ![]() ![]() ![]() Bessie Boyle's - 705 South St. Big Al's - across from Balas's on South Street (Al Petrusky, proprietor) Big Bill's Bar - Front St., between Centre & Washington Streets, next to Shane's Sporting Goods BZ's Bar - Centre St. below South St. (Barbara Znachko, proprietor) Carsia's Bar - Centre St. below South St. (From Bill Feissner: Carcia's Bar was sold to Ed Barna and became Eddies Bar. He bought the Eagles next door and made a large dining room out of it. He then retired and sold it to Jackie and Leanne Kochie, which is now The Other Side.) Chatterbox - Freeland-White Haven highway Cheppa's Cafe - 418 Centre St. (George Cheppa, proprietor) Cherone's Bar & Grille - 637 Centre St (1952 phone book) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Chi Chi DeFalco's - 722 South St. (Frank DeFalco, proprietor and operator) (age 43 in 1940 Census) Dovan's Den - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Streets Drozic's - Ridge & South Streets (Sam Drozic, Sr. 1965-1972 and then Sam Drozic, Jr., 1973-1978, proprietors) (From Sam Drozic, Jr.: Before me, my parents ran it from 1965. They bought it from Tony and Lucille Prett who bought it in 1962. The previous owner called by his nickname "Tuggles". His last name was Broskoski. No one knows when Tuggles bought it from the original owner, Antonio Guzzi, who built it. He imported Italian marble for the floor and had a big safe with his name on it in gold. I'd say Guzzi probably started it around the turn of the century and ran it until Tuggles bought it, probably after the war.) Eagle's Club - 423 Centre St. Eddie's Bar and Restaurant - 421 Centre St. (1975-1989) (Eddie Barna, proprietor) (From Bill Feissner: Carcia's Bar was sold to Ed Barna and became Eddie's Bar. He bought the Eagles next door and made a large dining room out of it. He then retired and sold it to Jackie and Leanne Kochie, which is now The Other Side.) (From Eddie Barna: Gauzs Furniture Store at 423 Centre Street was in operation through the mid-1940s. The Eagles bought the building in the late 1940s and remodeled it for their Club, which they used until 1984. I bought it and used the first floor for my main dining room and the second floor was used for private parties. It is currently the Other Side Bar & Restaurant.) E.J.'s - Centre & Luzerne Streets (formerly Kostick's) Fearnots Pub - Green St. (From Bill Feissner: the firehouse bar on Green St. was called The Fearnots Pub. It had a regular bar license that was later sold to the Wooden Nickle.) Bubsy Ferdinand's - 977 Walnut St., at Vine and Walnut (From Maggie Farina: I think at one time it was a boarding house/hotel/dance hall I'm guessing around sometime in the early 30's or even earlier.) Fox Bottling Works - 25 Park St. in 1928 (John C. Fox, proprietor) soda factory ; 353 Park St. in 1940 (age 59 in 1940 Census) (From Carolyn Moering: John C. Fox, brother of Julius Fox, the baker, owned Fox Bottling Works , Park St, Freeland. They bottled birch beer soda.) Freeland Brewing Company - Fern St., between South & Main Streets (closed 1933) Gallagher's - Ridge & Carbon Streets (From Pete Curry: My ancesters, the Gallaghers, operated a saloon in Freeland at Ridge & Carbon from approximately 1895 until approximately 1920, at which time they moved to Newark, NJ. My father Edward J Curry spent many summers as a child with Gallagher relatives in Sandy Valley, and often went to Freeland by buggy to visit the "Freeland Gallaghers.") ![]() Grega's - 525 Fern St. (George Grega, proprietor) (1940 Census) Hudak - 406 Washington St. (John Hudak) bottler, beverage company (age 35 in 1940 Census) Jabbo's Bar - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Streets, owned by Jabbo Valkusky (From Bill Feissner: Marion's Restaurant became Jabbo's Bar, then was sold by Jabbo to an Indian named Mushie, and became the Rustic Lounge.) (From Mike Bobby: Jabbo Valkusky's bar was located on Centre Street near Carbon. My friend's father was a bartender in the early 70s. It was known as The Rustic Lounge in the late 80s and early 90s and run by an Indian gentleman from Bensalem, Pa. known as "Mushie" until his untimely death at the age of 53 in 1992. The building remained vacant and was gutted by a fire in Sept. 2000.) Andro Kasarda's - 355 Centre St. (Andro Kasarda, proprietor) - See beginnings of a new Saloons page for more info John Kasarda's - 330 Centre St. (John Kasarda, proprietor) merchant, restaurant (age 49 in 1940 Census) Kostick's - Centre & Luzerne Streets (later became E.J.'s in the 1980s) (John and Betty (Kushmider) Kostick, proprietors) Trudy Kozel's - 527 Centre St. ![]() Letchak's - 420 Centre St. (George Letchak, proprietor) Masley's - 457 Hemlock St. (Mike Masley, proprietor) (From Mary Ann Rosetta Schaeffer: My Uncles' store was named, I think "Masley's" store and the entrance was on South St. It was part of their home. The bar was on the other side of the house in the living room area and the pool hall was in the house across the yard and the back was on the alley road. The home had a stone wall facing South St. I believe it was 3 houses within one area, and all those places are still there) ![]() Mitchell's - Rte. 940? (From Joe Benish: My father was also a Joseph Benish, who was born in a "company house" in Milnesville, outside Hazleton and grew up in Freeland. In fact, he often bragged that he was for years the usher at one of the Freeland Theaters (not sure which one) until he went into the Army. His aunt and uncle Michael Mitchell once owned a great old tavern in the woods, adjacent to an old dance hall on the outskirts of town. I remember going there as a child - the entire tavern was lined in beautiful knotty pine (that may have even been its name - or it was known simply as "Mitchell's") and they lived in a small home adjacent. I remember the U-shaped driveway that led into the woods from the main road (Rte. 940?) to their home and bar, and the old dance hall being several hundred yards away in the woods. We used to play there as children. In 1996 I paid a brief visit to Freeland and was told the site where the bar and dance hall were is now a lumberyard.) Molly Mulhearn's - Front St., between Centre & Washington Streets Muskevich's - Ridge St. below Luzerne St. Nowak's - 801 Schwabe St. (Stanley Nowak, proprietor) restaurant (age 41 in 1940 Census) The Other Side - Centre St. (had once been Carsia's Bar) (From Bill Feissner: Carcia's Bar was sold to Ed Barna and became Eddies Bar. He bought the Eagles next door and made a large dining room out of it. He then retired and sold it to Jackie and Leanne Kochie, which is now The Other Side.) ![]() Potochney's bottling works - 20 N. Ridge St. (Michael Potochney, proprietor, 1890s, still in business in 1901; Alexander Potochney a business partner?) Procopio's - 520 Ridge St. (Salvatore Procopio, proprietor) restaurant (1940 Census) (photo at right from John Zubach) Ravina's - 413 Centre St. (Joseph Ravina, proprietor and waiter) restaurant (age 44 in 1940 Census) Ravina's Cafe - 449 Ridge St. (until the mid-1960s) ![]() ![]() The bay windows housed window seats, which could be closed off with folding doors. The bar itself was of dark, carved wood, and the ceiling was a classic tin tile pattern. Before TVs became widespread, my grandmother would allow the patrons to crowd into the living room, just beyond the bar, to watched the heavyweight fights of the 1940s, such as the Joe Louis and Billy Conn battles, but, as soon as the fights were over, they had to clear out and go back to their Stegmaier. Judging from the car on the street, I would say the photo dates to the 1930s. ) (And again from Ed Merrick: This photo shows my my uncle, John Remak, in March 1966 behind the bar of his cafe on Main Street.) ![]() Rocco's - 462 Centre St. (Rocco Amentler, proprietor) (From Chuck Tancin: I remember Halloweening in here with a friend. We sang Sue Thompson's "Sad Movies" and several people gave us coins, likely to keep us from singing the whole thing!) ; earlier, 457 Ridge Street (Rocco Amentler, proprietor), merchant, restaurant (age 28 in 1940 Census) ![]() S & S Bottling Works - rear 412 Washington (1940 city directory) Slegeski's - 713 South St. (Ignatz Slegeski, proprietor and waiter) restaurant (age 48 in 1940 Census) (From Ed Merrick: Iggy Slegeski was coach at MMI when I was a student there.) Surf Club - Ridge St. (Louie Cherone, proprietor) Tip-Top Bar - corner of School & Hemlock Streets Tony Nocchi's - Schwabe & Ridge Streets Tony Nowak's - Birkbeck St. Tuggles' Bar - Ridge & South Streets (Tuggles Broskoski, proprietor) (From Bill Feissner: Tuggles Bar at the corner of Ridge and South became Drozik's Bar, and is now an apartment.) Turri's Cafe - 229 Ridge St. (Angelo Turri, proprietor) cafe (age 39 in 1940 Census) (also listed in '64 Minamek) Zikes - 1131 Walnut St. (Julius Zike, proprietor) tavern keeper (age 47 in 1940 Census) (From Jolene Lavinka Szymanski: When my grandparents lived on Walnut Street, my grandfather would go to a local bar on down the street. The name was Zikes-the spelling I am not sure of. I remember the place well. It was connected to his home.) 1901 SALOONS Adamchick, John, saloon, Ridge Bereznak, J., saloon, Ridge and South Boyle, Johnny, saloon, 166 Centre Boyle, Robert, Jr., saloon, 61 Walnut Boyle, William J., saloon, 143 Centre Burke, P., saloon, Walnut Caspar, L., saloon, Ridge Clancy, Michael, saloon, Centre DeFoy, Mrs., saloon, Washington DePierro Bros., saloon, 204 Centre Doborgzinski, Jos., saloon, 166 Washington Drasher, Steve, saloon, 20 Centre Gallagher, William, saloon, Ridge Goeppert, A., saloon, 11 Walnut Gross, Samuel, saloon, Main Hudaky, Emil, saloon, Centre Hudock, John, saloon, 152 Centre Hudock, Andro, saloon, 12 Centre Jenkins, William, saloon, 121 Centre Kasardo, Andrew, saloon, cor. Luzerne and Centre Lazonik, Harry, saloon, Ridge [I think this might be a typo for Lazorik] Letshock, George, saloon, Centre Llewellyn, Tom., saloon, 31 Centre Longo, Henry, saloon, Centre Magagna, Peter, hotel and saloon, cor. Centre and South Maloy, James J., restaurant and saloon, 53 Centre Modry, George, saloon, 163 Washington Murphy, Edward, saloon, cor. Centre and Main O'Boyle, Condy, saloon, Centre Old Reliable House, saloon, Mrs. Ferry, proprietess, cor. South and Washington Palko, Andrew, saloon, Centre Park View House, hotel and saloon, Front Pasternak, Mike, saloon, South Rugens, John, saloon and restaurant, 74 Centre Sachs, Adam, saloon, 5 Front Shambora, Peter, saloon and restaurant, 162 Centre Shigo, George, saloon, 132 Centre Stahl, Mrs. John, saloon, Centre Teselesky, George, saloon, Centre Vargo, M., saloon, 130 Washington Welsh, Rich., saloon, 145-1/2 Centre Winter, Libor, oyster saloon, 15 Front Yennes, John, saloon, cor. Washington and Front [Yannes?] Zwolensky, Joe, saloon, 112 Centre cor. Luzerne LIQUOR DEALERS Campbell, Thomas, liquor dealer Dusheck, Charles, liquor dealer, cor. Main and Washington BOTTLING Potochney, Mike, bottling works, Ridge Timony, Peter, bottling works 1912 telephone directory SALOONS Bechtloff John, Saloon 28 S Ridge Bott L, Saloon Centre Gavanaski Joseph, Saloon E Walnut Keiper William, Saloon Walnut Mooney Frank, Saloon Centre Remack Mike, Saloon Main Waskevich John, Saloon Walnut & Pine LIQUOR SALES Dusheck Charles, Whol Liquor Dealer Main Hudock George B, Btlr & Liq Dlr S Washington Steiner Joseph, Retail Liquor 58 Centre Zelenak Andrew, Whol Liquor Dealer Ridge BREWING COMPANIES Bartels Brewing Company Front Freeland Brewing Co Fern BOTTLERS Hudock George B, Btlr & Liq Dlr S Washington Sweeney P M, Bottler 189 S Washington Yannes John, Bottler Washington 1917 telephone directory SALOONS Balon, Frank - 536 Centre Bechtloff, John - Breznock Bl. Burtasavage, Mike - 321 S. Centre Dichiaro, Santo - 457 Ridge Gavanasky, Joseph - 732 Walnut Hudock, Michael - 318 Centre Kaminski, Felix - 515 Centre Kane, Stanley - 302 Ridge Karpowitch, Anthony - 408 Centre Nowak, Albert, Saloon - 977 W. Walnut O'Donnell, A. J., Saloon - 420 Centre Remak, Michael, Saloon - 709 Main Turri, Serafino, Saloon - 402 Centre Waskewich, Wm., Saloon - 302 Centre Zarowsky, Andro, Saloon - 222 Adams BREWING COMPANIES Bartel's Brewing Co., Office & Storage - S. Washington Freeland Brewing Co. - 516 Fern Pilsner Brewing Co., Storage - Timony Bl. BOTTLERS Hudock, Geo. B., Bottler & Liquor Dealer - 406 S. Washington Yannes, John, Bottler - 558 Washington 1921-1922 SALOONS Balon, Frank 536 Centre Beleykanich, Michael 360 Ridge Cunningham, Bernard 240 Ridge Danko, George S. 827 South Di Chiaro, Santo 457 Ridge Dougherty, Wm. M. 726 Centre Eagles Cafι 500 Johnson Gavanaski, Joseph 728 Walnut Greshko, Joseph 306 Centre Hudack, Michael 318 Centre Kielman, Carl 555 Walnut Kasarda, Andrew 355 Centre Kuzmisky, Branislaw 402 Centre Laskaski, Stefani 314 Centre Letchak, George 420 Centre Magarosky, Joseph 336 Centre Malloy, James 601 Centre Nowak, Albert 977 Walnut Pasternak, Michael 421 Centre Procopio, Salvatore 520 Ridge Remak, Michael 709 Main Rugan, Victor B. 501 Centre Stasko, Andrew 301 Centre Stine, Lester A. 819 Walnut Turri, Cipriano 229 Ridge Urnovich, John 442 Centre Waskevich, Wm. 302 Centre Zelenak, Andrew 525 Fern BOTTLERS Arnold & Pilsner Breweries Centre & L V R R Hudack, George B. 406 Washington BREWERS Freeland Brewing Co. 516 Fern 1928-1929 SALOONS SOFT DRINKS Amendalair, John 452 Ridge Balon, Frank 536 Centre Bereznak, John 250 Centre Cheppa, John 457 Ridge Cunningham, Anna L., Mrs. 336 Centre Dallas, Stanley G. 940 Ridge DeFalco, Frank 722 South Gallagher, Wm A 240 Ridge Greshko, Jos 306 Centre Hurchock, John 602 Ridge Kasarda, Andrew 355 Centre Kuzmiski, Bronislaw 555 Walnut Laskaski, Sterania 314 Centre Martini, Alf 302 Centre Miskewich, Wm 302 Ridge NOVAK, STANLEY 807 Schwabe, Tel 33-M NOWAK, JOSEPH 977 Walnut Pancheri, Angelo 442 Centre Pasternak, Michl 421 Centre Procopio, Salvatore 520 Ridge Ravina, Jos S 413 Centre Remak, Michl 709 Main Schultz, Edw J 420 Centre SWEENEY BROS. 512 Centre, Tel 333-W Turri, Cipriano 229 Ridge Yacunski, Edw J 302 Washington Zanzella, Anna, Mrs. 525 Centre Zedalas, Geo 360 Ridge BOTTLERS Hudack Bottling Works 406 Washington, Tel 252-J Standard Bottling Works 525 Fern, Tel 212 BOTTLERS CARBONATED BEVERAGES Fox Bottling Works 25 Park 1940 BEER DISTRIBUTORS Belekanich, A. Michl. - 409 Ridge Moran, John J. & Son - 543 W. Broad, Hazleton, Pa. Rudy, Mary Mrs. - 531 Fern BOTTLERS Moran, John J. Son - 543 W. Broad, Hazleton, Pa. S & S Bottling Works - rear 412 Washington RESTAURANTS [NO "SALOONS" CATEGORY IN THIS DIRECTORY] Amentler, Jno. F. - 725 Main Amentler, Rocco T. - 457 Ridge Balon, Frank - 536 Centre Belekanich, Anna - 409 Ridge Boner, Jno. - 420 Centre Boyle, Eugene C. - 700 Main Brueningsen, Harold - Main, Upper Lehigh Cunningham, Anna - 336 Centre Cheppa, Jno. - 418 Centre Danko, Jno. M. - 827 South Defalco, Frank - 722 South Grega, Geo. A. - 525 Fern Grohowski, Michl. - 302 Washington Gunning's Restaurant - 513 Centre Guzzi, Anthony - 831 South Kaminsky, Carl - 1115 Birkbeck Karpowich, Edw. - 329 Centre Kozel, Albian T. - 527 Centre Kuklis, Cath. - 133 Birkbeck Learn, Harvey - 722 Centre Machella, Jno. J. - 302 Centre Mattis, Jno. E. - 360 Centre Mehale, Jno. J. - 449 Ridge Mischissin, Michl. - 402 Centre Mulhearn, Jos. L. - 637 Centre Myers, Dorothy M. - 436 Centre Nowak, Jno. - 1121 Birkbeck Nowak, Jos. K. - 977 Walnut Nowak, Stanley J. - 807 Schwabe Procopio, Salvatore R. - 520 Ridge Ravina, Jos. S. - 413 Centre Remak, Michl. - 709 Main Selvestrovich, Wm. - 729 Front Sledwesky, Ignatz - 715 South Speal, Gus - 630 Centre Turri, Angelo - 229 Ridge Urenovitch, Victoria - 443 Centre Ursta, Jno. - 451 Ridge Yeskewich, Magdalena D. - 442 Centre Zike, Julius J. - 1133 Walnut WINES AND LIQUORS Pennsylvania State Liquor Store - 251 Centre |