The Snug Harbor Makes a Happy Grand Rapids Memory!
Here is another wonderful memory of Grand Rapids. It's the Snug Harbor!
We all called it simply The Snug, and was a great watering hole to stop by for a drink and some good food.
It opened in late 1969, and at that time was one of the nicer bars/restaurants in town. The staff was always happy to see you and after a few times, everyone knew your name.
Everyone knows the Snug Harbor in Grand Haven today, established over 30 years ago, but this original Snug in Grand Rapids was the place to go in its day.
John J Bo Boguslawski, on the Facebook page West Michigan History Then & Now, said the Snug was owned by the Przybysz family who moved the business from Wealthy Street in the late 1960s. An interesting piece of that history is that young Mark Przybysz was a bartender at The Snug while in school.
He later became a priest and pastor in the GR area at St. Anthony of Padua. Father Mark just retired last year after a health battle with COVID.
By the way, you are probably struggling to pronounce "Przybysz". It's easy, it's pronounced "Shh' - Bish". I knew that.
The Snug Harbor was at 1147 Fuller Avenue NE just south of Leonard on the northeast side of town, Tom Carter wrote. It was a great spot for softball teams to hang out after a game. Also, with the drinking age at 18 back then, kids from Catholic Central, and Creston and Central High Schools filled the place, too.
Sadly, after being in business for over 30 years, they closed in 2000, and the building was torn down shortly after.
What's there now?
A CVS Drug Store, what else.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz