The History of The Friendly Tavern

The Friendly Tavern is proud to be a long-standing business in downtown Coloma. We love our community and the people we call our patrons and friends. Current owners Ray Mays and John Forney welcome you to read on to learn about the history of our place...

From The Friendly Tavern's Souvenir Menu - Fall/Winter 1992

The first recorded ownership of the land where The Friendly Tavern now sits was dated January 22, 1836. An entry at the United States Land Office shows the United States granting ownership to one Jesse Smith. The parcel was described as "the west 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 (with other land), Section 20, Township 3 South, Range 17 West, 331.30 acres, as it appears from the United States Tract Book."

From that first entry in 1836 to today's date, the abstract for the property and building known as "The Friendly Tavern" in Coloma, Michigan, shows well over 80 transactions of ownership and financial statement. Included is a warranty deed dated August 22, 1856, showing the grantee as Stephen R. Gilson, better known as "Squire Gilson" and founder of "Shingle-Diggin's." (See story, "Coloma - a Town of Many Names".)

Although there is speculation as to when the building was actually completed, it is a well known fact that the structure which eventually came to house The Friendly Tavern was originally built as part of the Coloma development project called "the Baker and Jones Subdivision," believed to have been completed near the turn of the century.

The abstract of title for The Friendly first mentions the subdivision in an entry dated December 4, 1892. Based on that entry and the opinion of some local town historians that 1892 is the actual building completion date, current owners Alan and Kay Ritter have "officially" established the building's centennial celebration for this year (1992), even though records don't prove or disprove the fact.

The original business on the premises was said to be a dry goods store operated by S. D. Guy. Shortly after the turn of the century, a gentleman named George Lorenz purchased the building and opened the popular establishment know as "The Elite Saloon." The business enjoyed a long and prosperous history prior to, during and beyond Prohibition.

Lorenz started a long tradition of tavern-keeping hospitality at the 206 Paw Paw Street address that would span nearly a century. A list of land owners and/or proprietors since the 1940s includes Rober and Marie Kibler, Paul and Ruth Mast, Herman and Goldie Streit, E. V. and Ruth Sergeant, John and Frances Cook, George Marutz, Paul and Mina Bullard, Edward and Gertrude Yeske and current owner/proprietors Alan and Kay Ritter, who purchased the building and business in March of 1987.

With the offerings of great food and libations and a warm, turn-of-the-century ambiance, The Friendly developed a fine reputation through the war years and beyond when tourist traffic around nearby Paw Paw Lake was at its peak. Former tavern owner Edward (Bud) Yeske particularly remembers the early 50s when big band names such as Guy Lombardo, Jimmy Dorsey and Wayne King would, after appearances at Crystal Palace, patronize The Friendly and entertain guests with solo "gigs" and stories about their travels.

When Al and Kay Ritter purchased The Friendly Tavern in March of 1987, they had a deep respect for the landmark building and the history it housed. The also possessed a thoughtful intent to improve the aging structure. Their goal was to restore the surviving interior appointments to their original condition, while adding subtle improvements from the modern world of conveniences.

The couple immersed themselves in long days and nights of what would become an intensive labor of love. The drudgeries of cleaning, restoration and remodeling paid off as the original turn-of-the-century ambiance and warmth began to emerge.

The 30-foot oak and mahogany bar, constructed by the Brunswick Corporation (of bowling equipment fame) especially for installation in the original building, was refinished to a pristine patina finish. After serious polishing, the original stained glass lanterns glistened again. The hand-laid ceramic tile floor was scrubbed down to its original intricate and colorful design.

Great care was also taken to incorporate new conveniences and comforts, without disturbing the overall 1800s atmosphere. A modern kitchen was added to the back of the building. Intimate booths were built into the perimeter of the elongated, 99' x 24' interior. High-top tables and stools were generously placed throughout the remaining floor space.

When the "new" Friendly Tavern opened on May 19, 1987, word traveled quickly. Local patrons, tourists, history-buffs and libation lovers alike became instant fans. Frequent repeat customers and a steady stream of new ones helped business thrive for the next three years. The Ritters soon realized that their restoration efforts had been a profitable and rewarding investment. But...nothing is forever!

On an early spring day in May of 1990, a fire struck the remodeled Friendly Tavern, causing major and irreparable structural damage. Miraculously, a few of the original appointments which had been so carefully restored in 1987 were spared, but also suffered major damage.

For the first few weeks after the fire, the Ritter's were unsure of the future of their prized building and business. The next few weekswere a challenge to their tenacity to continue as restaurateurs. But after careful deliberation, they decided to once again go about the business of restoring The Friendly. That decision led to a six-month project that made the 1987 efforts pale by comparison.

Structural damage was so great in some areas after the fire that the only answer was to rebuild from scratch. Using "after" pictures from the 1987 remodeling for reference, the original tin ceiling which collapsed during the fire, was replaced with a period-correct replica. Walls were reconstructed, smoke damage was repaired, damaged or lost furniture was replaced. And again, the Ritters went about the business of restoring some of the building's original appointments.

The Brunswick bar was refinished - again! The tile floor, though cracked in some places from heat and stress, remained intact and was scrubbed back to beauty - again! The stained glass lanterns, thought to be a trimmed in painted metal, were polished - again! (This time it was discovered the trim was solid brass!)

And best of all, townspeople and visitors alike became immersed in the prospect of regaining and preserving the rich history that had developed for over a century at 206 Paw Paw Street. Volunteers who could help with the project - did! Older citizens who couldn't help - cheered the other on! Tourists visited regularly to witness and follow progress.

Now, whenever someone asks the Ritters, "When was the building actually built?" they usually assign 1892 as the "year of birth," 1987 as the "year of revival" and 1990 as the "year of rebirth."

No matter how you look at it, or how the history books write it, the building now known as The Friendly Tavern has bridged over a century in time with a singular reputation for excellent food and great libations served by people of good cheer in a pleasant little Midwest town called Coloma, Michigan.

NOTE: a special thanks to Stephanie White of the law firm Armstrong & Detgen and to Edward (Bud) White for their research assistance.