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91 Main Street
New Paltz, NY
(845) 255-6161

Share Your Stories: By now you know that tradition is a big part of P&G's. Our friends tell us that all of the time. We know that many of you who have frequented the restaurant over the years also have your own stories to tell. Memorable celebrations, reunions, unusual occurrences, etc. Please share them with us. Tell us your story.

A History of Hospitality
at a Cornerstone of New Paltz

On June 1, 1900, the Casino in New Paltz officially opened. That evening "a large number of people" enjoyed the ice cream, music, and the lovely mountain views, according to the New Paltz Independent newspaper. The crowds were so large that "special" late trolley cars were run to accommodate the guests and take the orchestra back to Poughkeepsie. "Saturday Nights In New Paltz Became A Legend!"

By 1921 the Casino had changed hands and names, becoming the Blue Crane Inn. Ads of the era read "The Big Night At the Blue Crane Inn/Dancing Every Wednesday and Saturday Evenings/In the Chinese Hall-Good Jazzy Music." The cornerstone of nightlife in New Paltz continued to thrive.

For the next two decades a number of diverse businesses occupied the then divided building. These included Carroll's clothing store (1937), Akins Drug Store (1933), Schaffert Real Estate Office (1945), The Maria Shop (1950), and Dick's Bar and Grill, among others.

In 1947 Dick's Bar And Grill was purchased by two Lake Mohonk employees, Pat Cafferty and George Jayne. They immediately changed the grill's name to Pat and George's. Among its soon loyal customers, it was simply, "P&G's."

One of the best things to happen to P&G's occurred in 1951. An ex-Dodgers baseball player named Storm Nickerson became the bartender. Stormy, as he was affectionately known, became something of a legend. His kind heart, quiet good humor, and generous spirit made P&G's the one place that welcomed all from the harsher outside world into a refuge for college students, business people and local characters.

In June 1991, after 40 years, Stormy retired from P&G's. He died in June of 1994. From his casual humor that lingers, to his Chili recipe we still serve, and the fond memories often repeated by his many friends, Stormy is still here.

In 1969, Edwin Beck bought P&G's and transformed it from a neighborhood bar into a local institution. The force of Beck's personality had much to do with the continued success of P&G's-the place was fun. One oft quoted story about Beck concerns a young P&G's enthusiast who admitted he wanted to be just like Beck when he grew up. It is reported that Beck in all humility replied, "Well, son, you can't do both."

The name, Pat & George's, was officially changed to P&G's in the 1980s by Ed Beck and his son, Mike. In 1985, Mike bought out his father's interest. In January 1994, he undertook extensive renovations making the building exterior appear more as it did in 1900, when it was The Casino.

P&G's today.
Illustrations by Cami Fischer.

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