Gargano’s Pizzeria
Gargano’s was a pizzeria at 437 State St. from the 1960s to January 1984. Biagio Gargano, the owner was the brother of Peppino and Gino, who also owned Italian restaurants in Madison.
Biagio Gargano came to Madison in 1960. By 1962 he had a pizzeria called Guiseppe's near the corner of Randall and University avenues, which he soon moved to State Street and renamed Gargano's. He died in December 2012, aged 76[1].
In 1973 it stood on State Street at the corner of North Broom Street, in a building whose signs read "Carry Out Pizza Service" and "Spaghetti & Pizza", next to Martin's Midwest Western Wear[2].
The 1980 Yellow Pages list Gargano's at 437 State St., with two numbers and a third for "Pizza in the Pan". Its menu ad offered thin, regular and thick crusts in 10-, 12- and 14-inch sizes and pan pizza in 9, 10 and 12 inches, sixteen extra ingredients, the Togo and Vesuvio sandwiches, a "Pizzaloka" of garlic bread with pizza sauce and mozzarella, and pasta dinners. It was open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.[3]
Biagio Gargano had sold the restaurant by November 1980, when he opened The Monastery on East Washington Avenue[4]. From 1977 it was run by Dollhausen Enterprises, Inc., which held its license in 1983[5][6]. In October 1983 the company opened a second restaurant, Gargano's East, at 2415 E. Washington Ave.; that month Gargano's on State Street was still hiring pizza drivers[7].
Both restaurants closed in January 1984. On March 9 the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing debts of $529,388 and assets of $32,151. Its largest unsecured creditor was the landlord, Broom & State Corp., owed $244,664 in remaining lease payments and $150,000 on a 1977 purchase agreement[5][8]. The Noble Roman’s franchise opened in the building in January 1985[9]. "The Grotto and Garganos are, sadly, just State Street memories now," the Capital Times wrote that June[10]. See 437 State Street.
Former Locations
- 437 State St., at Broom and Gilman streets (1960s to January 1984)[5].
- 2415 E. Washington Ave., as Gargano's East (October 1983 to January 1984)[5].
External links
- "Gargano's Pizzaria", photograph by Bruce Garner, 1973. Wisconsin Historical Society, W01263O.
Notes
- ↑ Moe, D. (2013, July 5). "Doug Moe: Gino's at 50." madison.com.
- ↑ Garner, B. (1973). "Gargano's Pizzaria." Photograph, Wisconsin Historical Society, Unique ID W01263O (WHI 137704). Bruce Garner photographs of State Street area, Madison, Wisconsin, circa 1973.
- ↑ (1980). Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 447: listings Barnaby's Family Inn (4802 E. Washington Ave. 241-2131; 6613 Mineral Point Rd. 833-1671), Brat und Brau (1421 Regent; …. Madison telephone directory. p. 447.
- ↑ Campbell, G. (1981, March 1). "A Gargano scores again." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 84. Newspapers.com image 401048042.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Parkins, A. (1984, March 16). "Gargano's files for bankruptcy." The Capital Times. p. 12. Newspapers.com image 521415520.
- ↑ (1983, May 5). 1983 license applications: 'Dollhausen Enterprises, Inc., Ruth Dollhausen, Agent, DBA Gargano's, 437 State Street'; 'Gargano Brothers, Inc., Stella Gargano, Agent, DBA Gino's, 540 State Street'; R & R Pan Style Pizza (Rocky…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 20. Newspapers.com image 405904686.
- ↑ (1983, October 19). Help-wanted: 'Pizza driver wanted. Must have own car, we pay salary & commission. Apply at: Gargano's, 437 State St.'. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 35. Newspapers.com image 404934219.
- ↑ (1984, March 17). "Bankruptcy petition filed by Gargano's." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 402629288.
- ↑ Kallio, S. (1985, March 17). "Noble Roman's not distinguished." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 96. Newspapers.com image 402064727.
- ↑ Egerton, B. (1985, June 22). "Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza." The Capital Times. p. 14. Newspapers.com image 519961462.
