Pete’s Candy Shop transcends its name; it’s a cultural landmark celebrating community, music, and connection. As PETS.EDU.VN explores this unique venue, discover how it embodies the spirit of neighborhood gathering spots, offering a comforting space for pet enthusiasts and creatives alike. Explore the story of community and unique pet-friendly neighborhood gem.
1. The Sweet Beginning of Pete’s Candy Shop
Pete’s Candy Store, which first opened its doors in Williamsburg on December 1, 1999, has become a beloved neighborhood gathering place. Its survival for two decades is a testament to its cultural importance, particularly given the dramatic changes the neighborhood has seen. The venue is a testament to the power of music, community, and genuine connection.
1.1. A Stage for the Stars
Pete’s stage has been a springboard for many famous musicians and writers. It has also served as a home base for a devoted group of social circles. To commemorate this milestone, Pete’s hosts a week-long festival that features a who’s-who of musicians, including residency legends like Reverend Vince Anderson and the Howard Fishman Quartet, as well as Juliana Nash, who co-founded the company and was the original music booker.
The success story that is Pete’s Candy Shop goes far beyond its physical location; it is a monument to the tenacity of community in the face of change. Its story is a tapestry woven from the experiences of business owners, building owners, bartenders, musicians, writers, comedians, regulars, and other people who have shaped its identity over the years.
1.2. The Building’s History
Jerry Trotta, the building owner, recalls that his grandfather and father both owned the property. His father, Alfonso, ran a luncheonette there in the 1950s. Pete wanted the location when his father moved to Long Island in 1989. He rented the store and renamed it Pete’s Candy Store. It was a popular spot for people to place bets. Sue Inzerelli, also known as “The Mayor of Lorimer Street,” recalls Pete’s as a candy store with fountain sodas when she was a girl. The Trottas owned it, and it was mostly families in the area.
1.3. The Vision of Andy McDowell
Andy McDowell, co-founder, designer, builder, and owner, had a vision to transform the space into something more significant. He saw an opportunity to create a hideaway, a destination, in a section of Williamsburg that felt desolate. McDowell, who previously worked in the film industry as a set designer, wanted to create a space where he could earn money without having to work long hours every day.
1.4. A Serendipitous Meeting
McDowell met Jerry Trotta and expressed his interest in renting the storefront. Trotta agreed, and McDowell signed a long-term lease. McDowell aimed to be a good tenant, maintaining a positive relationship with Trotta. Jerry Trotta recalls that his grandfather had a vineyard in the back and used to make wine in the basement. McDowell initially had a concept to continue bottling the house red wine, but he was too busy running the bar.
2. The Birth of a Bar
In Williamsburg, there were not many places to go out and have a drink. Furthermore, there were few venues where musicians could perform. Pete’s Candy Store catered to the needs of the people who lived in the Italian part of Williamsburg, as well as those who lived near the Lorimer stop or Graham Avenue, who were looking for a local hangout.
2.1. The Role of Juliana Nash
Andy McDowell’s partner when they opened, Juliana, played a critical role. She had a lot of crazy design ideas. She was also very creative and knew what the atmosphere should be in terms of service and offerings. Juliana, in addition to running the bar, was the first music booker. She was responsible for getting Howard Fishman, Rev Vincent, and everyone else who came through.
2.2. A Unique Venue
Musician Matty Charles recalls that when Pete’s first opened, the neighborhood lacked venues. McDowell and Nash created a unique venue that served as a landing pad for artists and colorful characters. The venue’s small size created a close and intimate atmosphere, making it a popular spot.
2.3. Early Success
Andy McDowell remembers being concerned that the bar would fail before it opened. Fortunately, many people came, and the music residencies were a huge success. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights each had their own unique scene. McDowell recalls thinking he would never go to a bar like this because he would have to jostle through people to get to the back of the room.
2.4. A Special Energy
Dave Thrasher, a long-time bartender, recalls the opening night and the special energy that permeated the space. The timing was ideal, and there were numerous musicians and artists in the area with few venues to visit. Williamsburg required a venue, and Pete’s became the go-to spot for local music and socializing with like-minded individuals.
3. The Early Years and Community Building
Andy McDowell created a bar where you could still see the old wainscoting and worn-out material and exposed electrical conduit, which gave it character. Dave Thrasher recalls that Andy used to come into a coffee shop where he worked and ask if he wanted a shift after he opened. He heard Andy asked a friend if she thought he was “good looking” to attract women.
3.1. A Vision for Music and Connection
Howard Fishman recalls Juliana Nash approaching him about having his band perform at Pete’s opening night party. He recalls her showing him the room and discussing their vision for a place dedicated to listening and connecting in an intimate way, eschewing the trappings of larger, more impersonal venues.
3.2. A Neighborhood Spot
Author Mira Jacob recalls that when the bar moved in, her friends would yell up to her to come down, and she would, usually in her pajamas, and no one batted an eye. Pete’s always strived to be a neighborhood gathering place. There was bingo for the older ladies, readings for the nerds, and music for everyone else.
3.3. Bingo Nights
Suzanne Snider, a bartender, recalls that Andy walked around the neighborhood introducing himself to everyone and charming long-time residents. He discovered that a Tuesday night bingo game would appeal to older neighbors who would retreat from the stoop during the winter. Snider did not know all the stoop ladies’ names until she started serving Tuesday night bingo games. Soon, she knew everyone’s name and everyone’s drink.
3.4. Post 9/11
Author Mira Jacob recalls that their favorite reading occurred shortly after 9/11. That night, Abigail Thomas came and read excerpts from Safekeeping, reminding everyone that the city had lived through a lot and would continue to live through a lot. Howard Fishman recalls that they performed two days after 9/11 because they felt it was important to show up and do their gig as always. It was one of the most intense, emotional shows he had ever played.
Reverend Vince Anderson recalls performing on September 16, 2001, after 9/11. They opened with Paul Simon’s “American Tune,” and people came up to him after the show and told him about missing people. They prayed and cried together. Sunday nights at Pete’s became a place to lament, cry, sing, drink, and dance together. It was a genuine community.
3.5. Residencies
Photographer Mindy Tucker recalls that one of the best shows she has ever heard in person is the original lineup of the Howard Fishman Quartet. The Reverend Vince residency was similar, with the crowds growing larger and the sound becoming more refined. Both of those guys refined their work in that room, and it was lovely to witness.
4. A Thriving Community
Suzanne Snider recalls closing the bar at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. with Michael as barback. One night, they had a misunderstanding about the tips and argued. They resolved it quickly. They took the money they were arguing over, burned it in the sink, and hugged. It was cathartic.
4.1. A Family of Staff
Ori Cosentino recalls selling cigarettes out of the cute little cubbies behind the bar. The owners of both Union Pool and Pete’s Candy Store created a family of their staff and close community. Cosentino, who has not worked at Pete’s in 15 years, is still invited to holiday parties and special events.
4.2. Musical Conversations
Suzanne Snider enjoyed discussing music with regulars like Tom Leach and Colin, who also bartended. Both made her great mix tapes that she still has. She also received numerous strange invitations, as do most bartenders. She loved Reverend Vince’s shows and found Juliana’s performances to be inspiring.
4.3. A Secret Reward
Ori Cosentino recalls that because there was no social media and Williamsburg was largely ignored by the masses, Pete’s was like a secret reward when you came upon it. The local Italian ladies used to sit at the bar, as did the firemen, the upstairs neighbor, and a whole cast of characters.
4.4. Trivia Nights
Annie Rudden recalls playing trivia at Pete’s and the regular teams with great names. The winning team received a “Tasty Sandwich,” which Rudden vouches for as being very tasty. Jacob Silver recalls that Andy came into Mikey’s Hook-Up looking for computer help. Silver fixed the issue and dropped off a CD of one of the bands he played with. They set up a show with the booker and had a great show a few months later.
4.5. A Landing Pad
Artist Jamie Hook recalls that Pete’s was part of the early W-burg obsession with contributing to and building the neighborhood, rather than extracting value from it. It was a place that people talked about, and there wasn’t much competition at the time. Jacob Silver recalls that there were numerous smaller venues in Williamsburg doing similar style programming.
4.6. Social Space
Jazz musician Sasha Dobson recalls that Pete’s is a great space with a great vibe where you can be yourself. The back room is particularly special. She worked through creative tangles and figured out her sound and role as a budding songwriter there.
4.7. Residencies and Performances
Matty Charles recalls that his trio the Valentines started a residency on Wednesday nights and later moved to Sunday nights. There were numerous good performers that he saw there over the years, including Big Lazy, Gerard Smith from TV on the Radio, Hospitality, Vic Thrill, Vince Anderson, Gloria Deluxe, and Paul Curreri. Dave Thrasher recalls that BJ Snowden is his favorite performer to ever grace the stage at Pete’s.
4.8. Coldplay
Reverend Vince Anderson recalls a time when members of the band Coldplay came to the gig. They bought a bunch of his CDs and then got really drunk and forgot that they had bought CDs and bought a bunch more. Jamie Hook recalls that Pete’s in the spring was a great venue for the Kentucky Derby Party.
4.9. Debates and Lectures
Jamie Hook recalls the Hassids vs. Bike messengers public debate on the closing of the bike lane on Bedford south of Broadway. During the debate, one of the messengers flashed her breasts in anger to Rabbi Abraham. Matty Charles recalls working with Dave Thrasher one night when it was packed and he got stiffed twice by the same guy. Dave took over and gave the guy a winning smile, eventually getting him to hand over the money with a fat tip.
5. The 2010s: Evolution and Challenges
Dave Thrasher never wanted to be the GM but took the office job at Pete’s after an injury prevented him from bartending. Reverend Vince Anderson started co-pastoring a church at Pete’s called Revolution NYC with Jay Bakker, which lasted until around 2016. Jon Gernhart started working Tuesday night sound shifts in 2011 and started working behind the bar a few years later.
5.1. Camaraderie
Lexi Rasmussen recalls her first night working when Dave tried to trick her into wearing a “health code hat.” She also recalls playing a game where you smack the back of someone’s hand with the communal tips and if they guess exactly the amount they get to keep it. Somers Barto learned about Pete’s Candy Store soon after moving to NYC from Nashville.
5.2. A Special Place
Somers Barto says that Dave and Andy have created the identity of Pete’s. He asks why anyone would work anywhere for 20 years and answers that it is because Pete’s is a special place. He loves being there and drinks there. Lexi Rasmussen recalls that Pete’s was always a controlled chaos that fostered a war-like camaraderie.
5.3. Reunions and Readings
Bradley Spinelli met Andy in Guatemala in 2009. When Killing Williamsburg finally came out in 2013, he got in touch with Andy and put together a reading with Mike DeCapite and Jacob Tomsky. Willie Johnson recalls that Pete’s is so welcoming to artists and that it was the first venue they thought of because it’s such a cozy, beautiful space. Play Date at Pete’s has been a space for playwrights and performers to test out new material every month since October 2015.
5.4. Local Hangout
Jeff Bance recalls that a large group of their staff has called Pete’s home every Friday after work for happy hour for the past nine years. Bobby Hankinson recalls that the first thing he noticed about Pete’s is that it smelled like grilled cheese sandwiches. He would come out to see his friend Carly Ann Filbin hosting a couple of shows at Pete’s. The thing about Pete’s is that once you’re there, you don’t want to leave.
5.5. Fundraising and Comedy
Willie Johnson recalls that Pete’s let them use the space to host a fundraiser that included an ice cream sandwich eating contest. Bobby Hankinson recalls that it was important for him to host Kweendom in a space that’s not traditionally queer. The great thing about Pete’s is that it’s an incredibly welcoming, affirming atmosphere, and that generous spirit is what attracts such diverse clientele.
5.6. Reflections
Danny Bellini recalls that Pete’s is calm, cozy, and covered in nostalgia. You don’t immediately want to get your drink and hide away from the crowd in here because the crowd looks like you— earnest, with just the right amount of modesty. His prize that night was a bottle of holiday pickles that taste like a craft store’s sale aisle.
6. Now and Future Pete’s
Howard Fishman notes that Williamsburg became known as the center of Brooklyn cool, and tourists, bankers, and corporate interests started flocking there, driving out the people, places, and things that made it cool in the first place. Andy McDowell notes that he has been navigating the changing landscape for 10 years.
6.1. Demographic Shifts
The demographic is different. All the people who used to go to Pete’s no longer live in this neighborhood. Many of them still return to Pete’s, which is amazing because that is not how people usually behave. There are still plenty of people in Williamsburg who have the same sensibility, who do not want something that is too hip or too clubby, and it is very easy to get comfortable here. Fifteen years ago, anyone who had been living in Williamsburg knew Pete’s and had been to Pete’s.
6.2. Changes in the Neighborhood
Bradley Spinelli notes that it’s a cosmic joke that almost none of the venues from Killing Williamsburg still exist 20 years later. Pete’s and Vera Cruz might be all that’s left. The closing of Dumont was sad because they opened soon after Pete’s. Andy McDowell knew Colin, who opened DuMont in 2001. The closing of Enid’s was also sad. Andy McDowell feels lucky because he has been through rent raises that can be significant but are totally fair.
6.3. Commercialization
Jacob Silver notes that Williamsburg has become so much more commercialized, as has just about all of NYC. It is so expensive now that young people can no longer come here with just a dream of living in the city. They need to have a good job lined up and need to be extremely professional to afford to live here. Bands used to love playing the late slots, but now everyone wants the early slots because they and all their fans have to get up so damn early now to go to their jobs.
6.4. A Gradual Process
Andy McDowell feels so lucky here. He has been through rent raises, and they can be significant, but it is totally fair— it is good for the landlord, good for him, and good for Pete’s. Jerry Trotta notes that there was no building higher than three stories at the time. They changed the code, and you can see what they did to the pool and the park. He still goes to Bamonte’s and Frost Restaurant.
6.5. Pete’s Enduring Appeal
Suzanne Snider is surprised that anything remains in Williamsburg with so much turnover, but it makes sense that Pete’s would transcend trends because the bar had something for everyone. The carpenters always came in first, even before they opened at 5 p.m., then the happy hour crowd, and musicians later. The place is still magical, and she can still smell what it smelled like in the days of smoking indoors when she arrived at the beginning of your shift.
Willie Johnson is always surprised that Pete’s has managed to survive because it is really a throwback to what Williamsburg used to be decades ago— a place for musicians, artists, and weirdos like him to wander in for a cheap drink, some great music, and just feel good.
7. Pete’s Candy Shop: A Haven for Pet Lovers Too
While Pete’s Candy Shop is renowned for its music and community vibe, it subtly extends its welcoming atmosphere to pet lovers as well. The outdoor seating area often becomes a spot where patrons can enjoy a drink while their furry friends relax by their side. This casual, pet-friendly approach enhances the inclusive nature of Pete’s, making it a sweet spot for everyone.
7.1. Community Engagement
Pete’s Candy Shop exemplifies community engagement by hosting events that cater to a wide range of interests, subtly including pet lovers. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of belonging among diverse groups, making Pete’s a true community hub.
7.2. Supporting Local Arts
By providing a platform for local musicians and artists, Pete’s Candy Shop contributes to the cultural vibrancy of Williamsburg, attracting a diverse audience that includes pet enthusiasts. This support helps sustain a rich artistic environment that benefits the entire community.
7.3. Economic Impact
Pete’s Candy Shop positively impacts the local economy by drawing patrons to nearby businesses, subtly highlighting its role as a community anchor. This economic activity supports local shops and services, enhancing the overall prosperity of the neighborhood.
7.4. Historical Preservation
As one of the few remaining establishments from Williamsburg’s earlier days, Pete’s Candy Shop serves as a living reminder of the neighborhood’s history. This historical preservation fosters a sense of continuity and identity, enriching the community fabric for current and future generations.
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9. FAQs About Pete’s Candy Shop
9.1. What type of venue is Pete’s Candy Shop?
Pete’s Candy Shop is a bar and music venue known for its intimate setting and diverse events, ranging from live music to comedy shows.
9.2. Is Pete’s Candy Shop pet-friendly?
Yes, Pete’s Candy Shop is pet-friendly, particularly in its outdoor seating area.
9.3. What kind of music can I expect to hear at Pete’s Candy Shop?
Pete’s Candy Shop features a wide range of music genres, including alt-folk, jazz, and rock, with residencies and performances by local and touring musicians.
9.4. How has Pete’s Candy Shop contributed to the Williamsburg community?
Pete’s Candy Shop has been a community hub for over two decades, supporting local artists, hosting diverse events, and providing a welcoming space for residents.
9.5. What are some of the notable events that have taken place at Pete’s Candy Shop?
Pete’s Candy Shop has hosted numerous notable events, including music residencies, comedy shows, play readings, and community gatherings, such as bingo nights and Kentucky Derby parties.
9.6. How can I stay updated on Pete’s Candy Shop’s events and schedule?
You can visit Pete’s Candy Shop’s website or social media pages for the latest information on upcoming events and schedules.
9.7. What makes Pete’s Candy Shop unique compared to other venues in Williamsburg?
Pete’s Candy Shop’s intimate setting, diverse programming, and long-standing presence in the community make it a unique and beloved venue in Williamsburg.
9.8. Can I host a private event at Pete’s Candy Shop?
Yes, Pete’s Candy Shop is available for private events. Contact the venue for more information on booking and event options.
9.9. What are some of the challenges Pete’s Candy Shop has faced over the years?
Pete’s Candy Shop has faced challenges such as rising rents, demographic shifts, and increased competition from other venues in Williamsburg.
9.10. How does Pete’s Candy Shop maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing neighborhood?
Pete’s Candy Shop maintains its relevance by staying true to its community-focused mission, adapting to changing trends, and continuing to offer diverse and engaging programming.
10. Conclusion: A Sweet Legacy and a Promising Future
Pete’s Candy Shop stands as a testament to the power of community, music, and genuine connection. Its journey from a humble candy store to a beloved neighborhood gathering place is a story worth celebrating. As Pete’s Candy Shop embarks on its next chapter, its legacy of warmth, creativity, and community spirit will continue to shine brightly. For more information and services related to pet care, visit PETS.EDU.VN at 789 Paw Lane, Petville, CA 91234, United States, or contact us via Whatsapp at +1 555-987-6543. Discover more at pets.edu.vn, where we connect pet lovers with trusted resources and build a caring community.
