First opening in 1930 as a billiard hall at 2180 Fort Park, Clemente’s became a beloved Lincoln Park institution for 80 years, from billiard hall to bar following Prohibition, to the ‘Italian Village’ restaurant. The “new” location on Fort Street at Lincoln opened as a full service restaurant in 1947 and the six lane bowling alley was added two years later. Clemente’s closed in June of 2010.
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After settling in the new and rapidly growing downriver city of Lincoln Park in 1930, Giuseppe “Joe, Sr.” and Natalina Clemente, who had earlier emigrated to the U.S. from the Italian Apennines mountain village of Rocco Pia, opened their first business. It was during the Depression, a time when locals were looking for inexpensive entertainment, that Joe and Natalina opened a billiard hall at 2180 Fort Park at Garfield.
By 1932, thirsty Americans sought to end the experiment of ‘Prohibition’, now considered a social and economic disaster by both “wets” and “drys”, and efforts began toward repeal of the 18th Amendment. Michigan voters in particular were so eager to end the long dry spell that in an election held on April 10, 1933, Michigan became the first state in the country to vote to ratify to ratify the new 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition. Beer could soon be legally sold in Michigan.
The Clemente’s were granted the first beer license in Lincoln Park and Clemente’s Bar opened later that year. (The repeal of Prohibition was finalized with official ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933 - a date that many folks still celebrate.)
Joe and Natalina were parents of three children, Ettore (Ed), Rosa (Rose) and Joseph Jr., all of whom would grow up to work in and eventually operate the family business. Prior to World War II, the name “Italian Village” was added in the 1930s. As war broke out and Italy joined the enemy axis against the U.S. and its allies, city officials asked the family to change the name.
After World War II, Clemente’s moved to its Fort Street location, soon adding a full-service restaurant and later a six-lane bowling alley. Eighty years is testament to the legacy of an immigrant family who came here to achieve the American Dream and succeeded. Well done!
The Clemente family is loaning us a number of materials, photos and memorabilia for a display that will remain up through the end of April 2014.
The exhibit officially opens Saturday, February 15 with a reception held for the Clemente family here at the museum from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M.
An oral history videotaped presentation on the family’s long Lincoln Park association is also being prepared in conjunction with the special exhibit.
This program honoring the Clementes was the first in a new series of “Legends of Lincoln Park” to be hosted by the historical museum in 2014. These programs are free and open to the public.