#What truly portrayed Madison Park in the early 40s was Riley’s Café. It was a gathering place for wartime workers at Todd’s Shipyard in Kirkland before they caught the ferry. Many gathered outside due to the overcrowding inside and slurped the coffee from their saucers. Madison Street never had a solid block of cars unless cars lined up for the ferry. The lines stretched from the dock to beyond 41st. Cars had a special permit allowing more fuel for any added passengers. Some had 4 to 6 people, so the kids selling the morning PI and the Star Newspapers did well.
#When the war ended, Riley’s closed, and the ferry eventually stopped running. The Madison Park bakery became the new gathering spot. In 1975, Leon Torrey bought Eggs Cetera from Wendell (remember Wendell’s Wonderful Omelet?), offering great breakfasts and a community table. Leon’s daughter, Wendy Morales (now the Fremont area’s owner of the Blue Star), took it over and eventually sold it to Guillem Bonzon (sp), who called it L’Apero. Marco Casas Beaux and Erin Gailey bought the Cactus from him in 1989, and they were the first owners of the Cactus. Theirs was picked as one of the top ten restaurants in all three newspapers that year and the concept lives on today.
#During that time, school students walked through the alley between 42nd and 43rd. They walked by many dwellings that were garages converted into living quarters. Folks opened their spare rooms to those working at Todd’s Shipyards. After the war, many moved to be closer to Boeing and other newfound jobs. Some schoolmates left, but a few stayed.
#Taverns and cocktail outlets closed at midnight on Saturdays and remained closed all day on Sundays. Unions also stopped the sale of meat, fish, and fowl on Sundays. To have a barbeque, we would drive to Juanita, which took an hour and a half round trip going 55 mph (520 was not an option then), where a butcher sold meat out the back door. The only hitch was that he was a socialist who asserted his views while he trimmed the fat. He was a great person, and some things he brought up made sense.
#There were choices if we were short on refreshments due to the closures: Bowling Ball Harry was a gentleman in a yellow cab who carried a bowling ball bag filled with pints of Four Roses bourbon — Sunday Special $10. Another beverage seller was a store south of the park, where cases of beer were sold out of the back door for $10.
#Madison Park jetsetters headed to the after-hours clubs in the 50s, especially after partying beyond the fun meter at the Red Onion and the Attic taverns. The first stop was in Chinatown at the Wah Mei Club, where there was a three-drink-at-a-time order; otherwise, the server would never be seen again. Showing your face to Hank, the manager, you were buzzed in to find the rest of Madison Park inside. In addition, the 605, owned by Bob Kivo, allowed booze if it was poured under the table, known as the brown bag law. China Gate and the Black and Tan were popular destinations with no particular booze laws.
#Another hot spot for music and dancing was the Downbeat, where the performers played on a turning carousel. Two Garfield graduates, Dave Lewis and Quincy Jones, entertained for hours. Around midnight, many of us joined Dave, Quincy, and Bob Summerrise at the Black and Tan. Dave recorded a song called Little Green Thing, and Quincy Jones earned scholarships to Seattle University and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Of course, Quincy is known worldwide for his musical skills. Summerrise spun local rhythm and blues on a local radio station.
#These clubs kept us entertained until the wee hours of the morning, but by the late ‘60s, our local bars began to stay open seven days a week. Sadly, the more intriguing clubs went by the wayside. Even Bowling Ball Harry went out of business. Tradewell, Safeway, and A & Ps began to stay open on Sundays, so there were no more trips to Juanita. I wonder what happened to that friendly, articulate butcher. Maybe we voted for him.
#Once the big breakthrough law was passed, Madison Park restaurants allowed hard alcohol. Voila,’ along came Peters in the Park! Jody, cook extraordinaire, ushered in treats for the entire family, and we enjoyed our first-ever cocktail at a restaurant there. Many were apprehensive about how it would affect the character of the neighborhood. Never to fear; opening night was so huge it called for a second opening night. Peter’s made it fashionable for neighbors to meet neighbors and enjoy a meal or a handful of martinis.
#Peter’s changed hands and became Manca’s, followed by Starbucks. Before that, a coffee cart in front of Bert’s Red Apple was trendy, making standing in the cold bearable. Enter Tully’s! It was the best because it had acoustics, like carpeting and soft music, for good conversation. The tables seemed to designate themselves as Democrats, Republicans, women, and family groups. It was a great place to ease into the day--who needs added noise?
#Best of all was the arrival of Bings Bodacious Burgers, owned by Stan and Laurie. You could almost call it another “Cheers” because the vibe was communal, inviting, and friendly, creating an authentic family atmosphere. The bar was filled with long-time neighborhood regulars and will be greatly missed.
#As the sun sets further south, Madison Park residents can hoist a cocktail to another day in paradise, a neighborhood we can all enjoy.