...And
That's My Opinion©
By Sandy Goldman
The Rogers Park
Community Curmudgeon
REQUIEM FOR A RESTAURANT
“I was born on May
7th 1932. For those
mathematically challenged - that makes me 71 years old. Except for two years in the Army, I have
lived all those years on the north side of Chicago, less than 10 miles from
where I grew up. I have lived 45 of
those years in Rogers Park. Am I in a rut - or what?”
I said that
factiously to a group of “thirty-somethings,” on the closing day of the
Pinewood Inn.
“Wow”, one of them
said, “You must have seen a lot in Rogers Park.”
I had not expected
that comment. Pondering the delicious
possibility to pontificate (who me?), I responded, “Yes I suppose I have. I
have seen the ups and downs of the community.
I have seen property values fall and then rise like the phoenix and new
six-figure condos built east of Sheridan Road.
There has been a new development at the cemetery turn near Evanston and
also others scattered throughout Rogers Park.
I have seen two new Starbuck’s, a Leona’s and Gateway Bar and Grill when
it was called My Place For. I’ve
watched the creation of the Gateway Shopping Centre which bears no resemblance
to its original plans and still remains half leased. It is better than what it replaced, however.
“When we first
moved here, a survey in the Chicago Daily News (no longer published), indicated
that Rogers Park was the second most desirable of the Chicago neighborhoods and
had the second highest per capita income (Sauganash was first). I’ve seen all that change.”
And I continued,
“I’ve seen the deterioration of Morse Avenue and Howard Street (ed. note: see
previous columns) and the rape of Sheridan Road, north of Touhy Ave., by
nursing homes and institutions. And dozens of dozens of changes some good and
some bad - but far too many to talk about now.
“But nothing
grieves me as much as the closing of the Pinewood!!”
And then we all
fell silent for a moment.
The Pinewood was
“born” the year after I was. The
original intent was to replicate a Wisconsin north woods style supper club.
Through out the years it maintained that atmosphere - serving ribs, steaks,
chops and burgers along with beer and wine and mixed drinks (soft drinks for
the kids). It did so from a long
elaborate wooden bar and several big booths, two under the front window and the
rest along the wall. The food came from a tiny kitchen in the rear.
Through various
owners it went through various stages and catered to various clientele.
In 1985 it became
Jim Brockhagen’s Pinewood Inn. New booths
replaced the old ones along the walls. High standing cocktail tables where
placed under the windows. A beer garden
was opened. A dining room was added and
the menu expanded.
Friends began to
gather and it became like that bar on TV, now also closed. O.K, so Jim was not exactly Ted Danson and
Larry was neither Woody nor the Coach.
None of the waitress resembled Shelly Long or Kristie Alley although one
of them did remind us of Carla Tortelli . We did have a few Norms and a bunch
of Cliff Clavins. Everybody thought that they were Dr. Frazier,
the psychologist. Like the TV show, it
became a “place where everybody knew your name”.
Within its walls
world problems were solved, neighborhood disputes were aired and political
campaigns were hatched. The sound of
the popular Juke Box mixed with increasing decibels of friendly (or maybe not)
debate created a cacophony only attainable at a neighborhood watering hole
At softball
seasons the beer garden was loaded with ball players—both men and women. For
obvious reasons, the women were more important; they drew the men.
There was Cub
fans, Sox fans, Bulls fans, Blackhawk fans and Bear fans. And even those who dared to be none of
those, but were welcomed anyway. Well,
kind of!!!
You could leave
your money on the bar and someone would watch it - not take it!
With each year we
grew older and grayer while celebrating every New Years Eve at the Pinewood.
Couples married, babies were born and close friends died.
The Pinewood
became a home away from home. The familiar
refrain, “See you at the Pinewood”, ended many community meetings. It was a place for a nightcap after diner
out or a night at the theatre.
But as it often
happens in the bar/restaurant business - things turned downhill. We will not
dwell on that. Carol and I have known
Jim and Bev for more than 30 years. We
consider them the best of friends.
But more than that
and most of all, I want to thank them for the Pinewood—a place where everyone
knew my name.
It is more than a
little sad to see the Pinewood Inn move into Rogers Park’s yesterdays.
I for one, and I’m
sure that there are others, will miss it!
...And that's my opinion.
And I'm Sandy Goldman
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me your e-mail address or those of others who would be interested and I'll add
them to my rapidly growing distribution list.
To
Email Me: smgoldman@ameritech.net