There’s this bar in Kenosha on 39th Avenue. It’s a real dive bar that is classic Kenosha
and it’s one of my favorite places in town.
The physical bar takes up 90% of the establishment. They serve Old Style in a can for dirt
cheap. It makes me very happy.
I love this bar because it’s where my cousins get together
whenever we’re all in town. It doesn’t
happen too often, but for family weddings and that sort of thing, we pack the
place. It’s good fun to spend time with
my cousins. It reminds me of my youth
and I laugh more with them then I do in any other group of people.
We were introduced to the bar by my uncle. Back when I was little, Grandma & Grandpa’s
was the gathering place for my 12 aunts and uncles, my 15 cousins, and my immediate
family. Uncle used to leave Grandma
& Grandpa’s house a little early on Friday nights so he could go out to the
bar. I couldn’t imagine what kind of
place he would be going to when I was a grade-schooler. Bars were a mystery back then. And drinking was something my extended family
rarely did.
Since he has a son who is exactly my age, Uncle experienced
first-hand most of my major youth events:
CCD classes, first communion, birthday parties, working at church
festivals, 9th grade dance, high school football, graduation, and
tons more. When I came of age, he
welcomed me into the splendor of Bob’s Grandview. I didn’t have the know-it-all to appreciate
its dive-y-ness as a 21 year old college student. But now I take comfort in its coziness and
familiarity. It feels a bit like
home.
I want to thank my uncle for introducing me to the finer
things: Good company. Cheap beer.
The voicing of opinions. He won’t
be joining me on my next trip to Bob’s. But
his legacy will live on in my heart. Always.
