“The lot at 118 North Michigan Avenue has been purchased by Ralph Izzo, who will erect a two-story brick building on the site. Building operation will start as soon as the weather permits.”
-The Saginaw Evening News, March 21, 1908.
Although roughly 116 years of age, the building housing the Liquid Lounge is not the oldest building on its the block; it was also not the first building constructed on its site. The lot had a structure on by 1877. However, the handsome building, constructed of Saginaw Paving Brick, has a rich history.
Constructed for Ralph Izzo, the building was completed in the summer of 1908. The ground floor housed Izzo’s fruit market and the second floor was a residence. When Izzo passed away in 1925, his obituary outlined his career:
“Veteran Proprietor of Fruit Store Dies
Ralph Izzo, 60 years old, proprietor of fruit stores here for the past 37 years, died yesterday at his home, 416 South Washington avenue. He was born in Italy in and in 1888 came to America, direct to Saginaw, where soon afterward, in association with brother Danie lzzo, he opened a fruit store in the 200 block of South Washington avenue. He continued there until 1901, when he moved to Michigan and Gratiot avenues. In 1915 [sic] he built and occupied a new store at 118 North Michigan avenue, which he continued to operate until about a year ago, when he retired.
He was a member of Mt. Carmel church. He leaves his widow and seven children. . .” (The Saginaw News Courier, July 5, 1925.)
Among the relatives listed in the obituary was his half-brother, Joseph Navarro, who operated the store at 118 North Michigan for a number of years. Joseph Navarro’s 1947 obituary records he was born in Italy in 1875. He arrived in Saginaw in 1908, after having lived in South America and Providence, Rhode Island and had operated a store “at 118 North Michigan.”
After Izzo’s death, the fruit stand was exchanged for other venues, including a Sally Ann Bakery in the 1930s. In 1947 the building was remodeled and became the Waldorf Grill –the dining spot advertised a fish fry every Friday and Genuine Italian Spaghetti – “Different from Any you have Ever Eaten.” In 1961, the Saginaw News announced the opening of new restaurant in the space:
“In the former quarters of the Waldorf Grill, 118 North Michigan, Anthony’s Fine Food restaurant will open for business tomorrow as a handsome new service improvement to the West Side business district.
The restaurant’s exterior front is an arresting combination of hand-split shingles and redwood. Interior walls are paneled. The ceiling of acoustical tile, has been lowed to provide an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
Redwood is used liberally in booths and other decorative effects.
The kitchen, featuring new equipment, has been moved to the rear to be away from the dining area which will seat 60 persons.
Anthony’s will specialize in kosher foods, family-style Italian Spaghetti, a delicatessen take-out counter. A new service attraction is a catered tray facility enabling customers to order individual trays of kosher foods, cheese and relishes for delivery at parties.
The restaurant is operated by Anthony R. Furlo, 824 North Porter. (The Saginaw News, March 24, 1961.)
In the 70s and 80s, the building provided a home for a succession of businesses. These included: The Blue Room – Exclusively for Pets, Ye Olde Book Shoppe, Painted Pony Comics and Cutty Sark.
In 1995, 118 North Michigan was again transformed.
“Armed with a revitalizing spirt, Veronica Lazorchak has stirred up an interesting mixture of history and hospitality in Old Saginaw City.”
“‘Someplace Else’ is something else for mid-Michigan residents looking for a unique dining experience spiked with an artistic flare.
“‘People are tired of the same old thing,’ she says. ‘I love this area. More people should try to preserve buildings and keep the historical value in here. It’s part of our roots.” (The Saginaw News, February 17, 1995.)
While Lazorchak eventually went back to her other artistic endeavors and sold the building in 2007, her impact left its mark on what would today become the Liquid Lounge.
While converting the bottom floor to Someplace Else, Lazorchak sought out a bar to help fill the space. What she came across was the wooden Brunswick brand bar still in place today—one with a rather illustrious history.
The bar, which had a slight extension fitted to it so it would properly fill the space at 118 N. Michigan Avenue, had once stood in the Graceland Ballroom of Lupton, Michigan. The Graceland famously served as a remote northern Michigan getaway for both the Purple Gang of Detroit and Al Capone who did business together bootlegging Canadian whiskey across the border during Prohibition.
Though eventually burning down in the early 1980s, the Graceland’s history is maintained in Liquid Lounge’s Brunswick bar, where patrons today can have a seat and a drink where Al Capone may well have imbibed a cocktail or two back in the day. Cheers!
Inside the Liquid Lounge today. Including the infamous bar.
The Recipe: Liquid Lounge’s Old Town Funk
If you look closely, you may notice a patched bullet hole in the back of the Brunswick bar at the Liquid Lounge from a more violent outburst at the Graceland than you can expect to find at today's Old Town establishment. While you're looking for it, make sure to order a drink and a selection of sliders from the menu. Special thanks to the lovely barkeep, Megan, for mixing our cocktail today.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Buffalo Trace bourbon
.25 oz. Sweet vermouth
.25 oz. Aperol
Dash angostura bitters
3 dashes rhubarb bitters
Ice
Cherries for garnish
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