The story of the occupants of the fascinating building at the southeast corner of Appleton and Newton Streets continues with one of Holyoke's celebrated restaurateurs, Eugene "Gene" Tamburi.
Gene Tamburi was a native of Stamford, Connecticut, and a Dartmouth College graduate. He worked at the Roger Smith Hotel and was a food consultant for the Dumfey Corporation in Boston.
He arrived in Holyoke and purchased a Victorian-style house at the corner of Northampton and Beech Streets in 1947, where he refurbished it as the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Before the completion of Interstate 91, this restaurant and inn became a renowned gathering spot for locals and travelers from far and wide.
In 1969, several well-known Holyoke residents applied for a license to form a private gathering spot called the Unicorn Club. The club would be formed under the corporate moniker of the Pedlar Club Corporation and operate in the space occupied by the Rainbow Club, located at the corner of Appleton and Newton Streets. The Rainbow Club was soon to move to the corner of Dwight and Pine Streets.
Members of the Unicorn Club included Eugene and Catherine Tamburi, Bess Stathis, J. Kevin Griffin, Fred Hampson, John Dowd, William Dwight Jr., Richard Nickerson, and William and John Cavanaugh.
The club members decided to change its name to the Pig's Ear with an interior look of an old English pub.
Two years later, in 1971, Mr. Tamburi purchased the building and planned to convert the private club to a restaurant and Irish pub serving light fare. The Pig's Ear name would remain, as traditionally, Irish pubs were named after animals.
It sported a thirty-foot, hand-carved bar, fashioned by Casper Ranger, for the former Red Eagle that operated on Main Street during Prohibition. The interior was heavily antiqued and had stained glass windows. A state-of-the-art music system was installed for entertainment.
An open house took place on October 27th and 28th, 1971, with many noteworthy Holyoke residents attending.
Twice, in 1972, the 100-plus-pound ornamental cast iron pig was removed from the premises. Rewards were offered for its return. The first time it was recovered in a trash bin at Mt. Tom Reservation. It is unknown whether it was successfully returned to its home the second time.
In 1973, Mr. Tamburi opened up the second floor as an informal bar for the younger patrons. There would be amusements such as pinball machines for entertainment. A more formal setting would be retained for the first floor.
In 1974, the Pig's Ear altered its concept to a steak and oyster house, playing on the more formal theme the owner desired for his diners. This concept may have lasted for about a year, as the restaurant closed for much of 1975.
There was a reopening in April 1976. John E. Brady was a partner of the new corporation, Holyoke Emporium Inc., which leased the premises from Mr. Tamburi. The plan was to offer light entertainment and food in a comfortable setting for those aged 25 and above. By August 1977, the Pig's Ear had shut down for the final time after a lessee-disagreement had resulted in the beverage license being removed from the premises.
The story and another chapter of Appleton and Newton soon continue with the opening of the Golden Lemon restaurant.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning Union; publication dates and pages are shown.
Assessors' Office, City of Holyoke, Massachusetts
Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts
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