Post #693192 by kenbo-jitsu on Wed, Sep 11, 2013 2:02 PM

Let’s look at The Tiki’s earlier incarnation as “The Beachcomber”.

Matthew Pelletter’s parents, Joseph and Magdalena Pellitteri (or sometimes Bellitteri or Belliteri), were both immigrants from Bagheria, Sicily. They met and were married while living in Chicago and Matthew, their first child, was born there. In 1915 the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin. When prohibition ended in 1933, Joseph decided to open a tavern. The city of Madison issued him liquor license #5 for “The Fox Den” at 724 W. Washington Avenue. The Fox Den became one of the first “spaghetti houses” in Madison when Joseph began serving free spaghetti dinners on Saturdays.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, June 16, 1933

The Fox Den later became “Pellitteri’s”.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, June 13, 1947

When Joseph passed away in 1954, Matt and his eight brothers took over.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, October 12, 1956

It was May 1960 when Pellitteri’s went Polynesian.

(Madison) The Capital Times, May 20, 1960

(Madison) The Capital Times, May 26, 1960
“Trader-Mat” is obviously Matthew Pelletter.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, July 29, 1960
“Beachcomber” has now been added to the name. “Pellitteri’s Beachcomber Lounge”.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, August 11, 1960
Here is confirmation of the “Varoom” cocktail mentioned in Catherine Tripalin Murray’s “Cook’s Exchange” article I cited as a reference in my first post. “Matty” was Matt Pelletter’s nickname. Finally, check out the logo at the bottom. If it isn't inspired by the Don the Beachcomber logo, I don’t know what is.

. .
(Madison) The Capital Times, September 8, 22, & 29, 1960
Some more of the drinks. No, “Nnayttam” is not Tahitian. It’s “MattyAnn” spelled backwards. Matt’s wife's name was Ann. I haven't figured out who "Pimm" was.

(Madison) The Capital Times, October 14, 1960
"Pellitteri's" gets dropped from the name. It's either the "Beachcomber Lounge" now or simply "The Beachcomber".

(Madison) The Capital Times, October 6, 1961
In late 1961, “The Beachcomber” began serving food.

Sometime around March 1962, The Beachcomber moved to 906 Regent Street where it became The Tiki. In late April the Pellitteri family sold 724 W. Washington Avenue to the city of Madison’s “Triangle Redevelopment” project which ended up demolishing the building.

And the rest we’ve already covered. I was pleased though to find this last ad as it reveals The Tiki’s exact opening day, June 6th, 1962.

(Madison) Wisconsin State Journal, June 3, 1962

Acknowledgments:
Many thanks to Catherine Tripalin Murray ( http://www.greenbushcookbooks.com ) for her invaluable help.

[ Edited by: kenbo-jitsu 2013-09-24 10:41 ]