Brigandi’s Bar & Grill
Around 1886, my great-grandfather immigrated from Italy and set up home on Maspeth Avenue in Brooklyn. His son, my grandfather, Michael Brigandi, set his eyes on Hicksville. In 1926, just after my mom's birth, Adeline (Class of 1944), he moved his family to 33 Woodbury Road in Hicksville. The home was nestled across from the railroad tracks and the Sinclair Gas Station. At that time, the tracks weren’t elevated, and they passed right by the
Brigandis Bar front of his home. My mom's stories included playing in the local Heitz Place courthouse jail, less than 100 feet from her backyard. Alcohol in America was banned from 1919 to 1933. Many recall that during the 1920s prohibition, “home brew” was popular. In 1933, my grandfather, Michael, opened up Brigandi’s Bar & Grill. The front of his home became the barroom. Beer was 10 cents per glass, and every third one was free.
Brigandi’s was known as “Pop Johnson’s” and became a popular gathering spot. While I could not find out why the nickname was used, it was found in several documents and through conversations with those who had drank there. The classic “shot-and-a-beer” was the top seller in those years, with a crowd that spanned the spectrum of local society.
Michael was also an avid pigeon fancier and raced pigeons. When he bought the home in Hicksville, a pigeon coop was immediately attached to the back of the home. Michael, along with other local friends, Harry Borley and Anthony Adessio owned and operated a successful pigeon racing business from his loft. They were known as the “Inimitable Three,” selling pigeons from $10—$15 each. The thoroughbreds of the sky were released simultaneously and then instinctively returned to their Woodbury Road loft with exceptional homing abilities. Michael would release his birds to fly at least once a day.
Circa 1939 Jeanette Brigandi (Class of 41) in front of Brigandi's DelicatessenWhile my grandfather was entertaining locals. My grandmother was operating a deli and candy store on the same property,
Brigandi's Circa 1960 - The house was once "Pop Johnson's, and the building to the left was Brigandi's Candy Store. The back of the home was also used to raise racing pigeons. but in a separate building.
By 1938, my grandfather became ill and passed away at 38. Only two years later, my grandmother, at the age of 40, passed away from cancer. The neighborhood bar was gone. The home was bought by my Grandfather’s brother, Anthony, until he died in 1963, and the home was torn down in the 1990s to make room for the current strip mall.
While it was temporary, the bar business returned to our family. My Paternal Grandfather, my dad, and his brother all tendered bar at Breslin’s Bar & Grill in Woodmere, while my cousin owned and operated Spiffy’s in Uniondale in the 1970s. My brother Gary (Class of 77) co-owned Crossroads Bar & Restaurant with his partner, Teddy Marotta (Class of 81). It was located at 646 South Broadway. It was once the Center Bar, Stack O’Barley Pub, and Remington’s. It was Gary’s passion, and following in his grandparents’ footsteps was not just a surprise but a trip worth taking. The business was sold in 2019. Legends followed, and now it is The Rabbit’s Foot.
 Crossroads Restaurant and Bar |
 Seen here on opening day are Joan (Longo) and Gary Schweitzer (both Class of 77) at Crossroads in Hicksville. Ted Marotti (Class of 81) was his partner. |
 Legends Restaurant and Bar |
