They called it “Polka Town” and it holds a special spot in the heart of those visited there.
The Maple City Tavern burned 45 years ago last month and the number of persons who don’t know the tavern is evident. But those who do, remember it fondly.
“It was cool. The entrance was like a hollowed out tree,” said Joan Gauthier, who first played at the Tavern with brother, Larry, and sister, Norene as members of Larry & His Lark. “I was 15 or 16. They wouldn’t let us do that now.”
The family trio was among many area musicians who were “regulars” at the bar, which had a long bar and wooden interior.
Built in 1930, the watering hole, featured an exterior log cabin appearance, made from cement.
“There was always a good crowd. I lost my black pearl ring there,” the drummer/vocalist said. “It came off and I never could find it.”
In the 1960s, the tavern was purchased by Glen M. Noonan.
“He operated it as a small bar, but a couple years later, he added a dance floor, and then a second,” said Robert Noonan, Glen’s son.
Additional space was needed to accommodate the throngs of people who made the trip for live polka music Saturdays and Sundays.
Among those performing was future Michigan Polka Hall of Fame accordionist Bobby Atkinson.
His band “Bobby and His Polka Pals” played the bar when he was just 17 years old.
“There was a hole in-the-wall where the bands would play,” Atkinson said, admitting that he probably was too young to perform in the venue. “(Noonan) bought the tavern and added two more dance floors … (Noonan) always great way of treating people.”
The tavern attracted polka bands from throughout the region — some coming from as far as Manistee to play.
In addition to the music, the tavern offered a chicken fry on Thursdays and fish on Fridays.
The bar offered drafts of Blatz and Pabst Blue Ribbon among other libations.
“It was too bad it was never replaced,” Atkinson said.
The tavern holds a special place in his heart as it was where he met his wife, Patricia (Miller) Atkinson.
“(Love) was immediate,” he said.
The Atkinsons will mark their 59 anniversary, April 30. *** In the early morning hours on Feb. 8, 1980, Fire Chief Albin Rosinski was dispatched to the tavern, located at 33 Mill St.
Long before today’s professional departments, firefighters were volunteers and when a large fire occurred, mutual aid was given.
“Eighty-eight firefighters from nine departments responded,” an Enterprise story read on Feb. 14, 1980.
Cause of the fire was invested immediately after the blaze.
Investigators found the fire began in the tavern’s cellar.
Rosinski recalled fire response was hindered by the cement block “logs” on the tavern’s exterior.
All in all, fire damage totaled $125,000 — $575,000 today, given inflation.
This was too much for the owners and the charred building, located behind the former grocery store (blue building, was never rebuilt.
The only way to describe the location is to say it was behind the current blue building in the unincorporated village and north of the Cedar-Maple City Lions Club’s community center.
