Always owned and operated by family, Calarco’s Restaurant is now in its third and fourth generation.
Today Gini Calarco Gollnitz, the granddaughter of the restaurant’s founder, is the owner and head cook, with her son Brian, who also works in the kitchen, serving up homemade specialties.
Virginio Calarco began Calarco’s Restaurant in October, 1933, after having first trying his hand at running a small grocery store during the Great Depression. “He had a big heart and ended up giving away food to many people that couldn’t pay him back. So he burned the charge account book, closed up the store and turned it into a bar and restaurant,” explained Gini.
Prohibition had just ended by this time.
Virginio and his wife, Jenny Squillace Calarco, whom he married in 1915, lived upstairs over the bar with their six children.
Costs were quite different. A 12-ounce glass of beer back then was a nickel, a shot of liquor was 15 cents, a hamburger was 15 cents, a full spaghetti and meatball meal was 35 cents, and a T-bone steak dinner was 75 cents.
It was the American dream for Virginio and Jenny when they came over from Italy in 1909. He worked for the railroad as a track maintenance laborer for almost 50 years as well as running the restaurant with the help of his children.
Vinnie (Gini’s dad) started bartending at the age of 13 when the bar opened. Vinnie and wife Charlotte were the second generation to own and operate the business.
While the parents were running the business, Gini started helping out.
“I was probably about 14 when I started working here,” Gini said. “I started washing dishes and waitressing in the dining room.”
When she was around 18 she learned the skills it takes to be a cook.
After Gini took over the business, her three children followed her in her footsteps, waitressing, washing dishes and cooking while they were growing up. Brian stayed around, while the other two went into different fields.
Gini’s daughter is focusing her skills on being a baker, opening Buttercream Bakery in downtown .
Gini enjoys baking herself. “I do enjoy making the pies and desserts. That’s probably my favorite part,” she said.
She has also gotten to know many people in the community. “My dad always said when you come here, you’re family,” she said.
Calarco’s is Westfield’s oldest, continuously operating eating establishment.
Many pictures from the past hang on the walls of the dining room. Many upgrades are being done by Gini to the building and the menu. All of her children have also had many years of working at the restaurant, as well as cousins that are still part of the workforce. Oct. 20-22 Calarco’s is going to be celebrating its 90th anniversary. Friday and Saturday nights will be live music. There will also be trivia questions and door prizes for winners.
Calarco’s is located at 15 Market St., Westfield. The phone number is 716-326-3415.
Source: Post Journal
