It sure looks like the Organ Grinder, doesn’t it? But it’s not!
While visiting Shawn Kenney as part of our Midwest Tour, Shawn provided a notebook filled with photos and documents of “Pipe Organ and Pizza”-themed establishments. There were over 100 restaurants with pipe organs created throughout the 1960’s-1980’s, most of them independently owned and developed, and with different styles of architecture.
But, among the photos is the one shown above – depicting neither the Portland or Denver Organ Grinders, but a restaurant in Florida, called “J. Burns Pizza & Pipes”. According to the database, there was a location in Tampa and another in Winter Haven. It’s not clear which location is featured in the photo, but it sure seems like someone took copious notes (and photos) at the Organ Grinder when coming up with the design scheme for these Florida establishments.
We checked with two of the Organ Grinder co-founders, and they were unaware of the existence of this place – it was either very successful at flying under the radar – or perhaps very unsuccessful at gaining clientele and thus being talked about. The chain still exists, however there is no mention of pipe organs on their web site (save for an old exterior photograph where “pipes” is mentioned on a sign).
Do any of you have photos or memories to share about seeing a pipe organ at this very-familiar-looking restaurant? If so, please get in touch, we’d love to learn more.
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