Pio's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge

In 1954, Pio and his brother-in-law Frank opened a restaurant, then known as the Continental Café, in half of the first floor. It was such a success that Pio eventually quite his job at the Strand Theatre on Second Street, and shortly thereafter bought out Frank. In July 1958, a fire in the tavern that occupied the other half of the first floor allowed Pio to purchase the entire building. Now occupying the entire first floor, Pio renamed his restaurant to Pio’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, as it is known today. He also added a banquet room to the lower level. There are early interior and exterior photos of the building, as well as copies of the original menus throughout the main floor restaurant.