Some places just blend into the landscaping – like the night sky or the sunrise. Rarely do I look up and notice the architecture or the fine points of a building that I’ve seen for decades. Recently the Webster Village Historic Preservation Commission named the neighborhood watering hole, Burke’s Bar and Grill also known as the Burke Building, and the “Hosenfeld Block” as their Site of the month. A number of old charming places have been honored by the committee but few have been more fun to visit than, what the late Jack Burke called, “the elegant lounge in the heart of downtown Webster.” Danny Burke and his daughter Kelly Burke House had a yummy drink waiting for us displaying a touch of down-home Burke hospitality. A serious game of cards was going on in a back corner, and a long row of patrons, regulars, were doing a little imbibing perched on the barstools that had been there for decades. At our end of the bar, in the back corner, an unlikely group of ladies had assembled to hear the life story of the building. For some like Maryjean Yengo and Joan Sassone, it was their first time in the saloon. For Jude Beh Lancey, Lynn Barton and I, although not frequent patrons we had been there from time to time.
The building, according to records from the town historian, Lynn Barton, indicates that it is of the simple utilitarian design – an early 20th century commercial building. On the top of the building is a cast stone plaque with the wording “Hosenfeld Block 1919” showing the year that the building was built. The Hosenfeld Block is an example of a number of early 20th century commercial blocks, which was constructed with relatively plain detailing. It features a minimum of details; simple patterned brick cornice, cast stone name plaque and large plate glass store front windows. It is notable that this building has retained its original storefront window and door configuration. The building represents a rare surviving example of a relatively intact early 20th century commercial building in the village.
It is figured that Frank Hosenfeld either built it or had it built and ran it as a grocery store. After that, it was a car dealership: Henner’s Pontiac. Then it became a bar run by Frank Forman and Tubby (Carroll) Wright. It was also a pool hall. In 1929, Jack Burke rented space from Frank Hosenfeld and started his barbershop. Upstairs, his wife, Marguerite, (known affectionately as Ma Burke), raised their eight sons. Ten years later Jack Burke purchased the building from F. Hosenfeld. Marguerite and her son Bob bought the bar from Tony Grabowski. Kelly is the current manager however her experienced dad, Danny is always there with advice and a helping hand. Recently she approached Richard Dash, of the former Dash’s Donuts fame to help with some remodeling. Richard, a carpenter has made some impressive changes in the décor of the front of the bar … a little refurbishing here, a little patching there, and repairing the old woodwork has made a world of difference. It is hard to believe that the front window once held the coal bin.
Jude Beh Lancy remembers an old air-conditioned that used to drip on you…Dick fixed that too. “I was excited to do what I did here,” he said. Dick wants to take the building “back in time.” Restore the old tin ceilings. “When the time comes, I want to bring this back …” he said. Kelly’s all for it and hopes to give the pub “a woman’s touch” – she is into safeguarding the past … so of course our preservation ladies were delighted to say the least. She is also looking forward to the time when she can put down “a beautiful new floor.” Kelly is a lady with ideas and taste.
Many stories can be told about the building and a lot have been told about the woman who lived upstairs, Ma Burke. For a few years I was honored to celebrate her birthday with her and to enjoy a Monday night dinner at her popular table with other friends. Ma loved telling stories of years ago, when women wore hats, when they strolled down Main Street and men tipped theirs as she walked by. She remembered watching from her window as Main Street was paved for the first time. Ma died at in October, 2004 at 106. Danny is the only son who survived her.
Her upstairs apartment wasn’t what one would expect being above a bar. She had oriental rugs and beautiful Italian leather furniture and she prided herself on her good taste.
She would be happy to see Kelly, her granddaughter taking over. She would also be happy to see that we were given coasters – a little touch of class, to set our goblets on at the corner bar