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The first generation of
the Legott family arrived in Geneva from Pennsylvania
in the late 1930’s to help build the Lehigh Valley
Station for the railroad. They soon purchased a piece
of real estate and opened Legott’s Bar & Restaurant.
The restaurant helped them to support their family of
ten children.
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When
their son, Jim, returned from serving in WWII, he decided to add
on to the family restaurant. Jim, with the help of architect George
White, designed and built a huge addition on the side of the building.
The room was an amazing feat of architecture for that time, supported
only in the four corners with a blown-in acoustical ceiling, special
gas lighting in the recesses, and plenty of plush night club seating
for a crowd of over 400. When it was completed Jim changed the
name to the Club 86, and he opened the nightclub with acts that
made the club famous.
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It
became, quite possibly, the hottest spot in the country for Jazz during
the 1940’s featuring greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong,
Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, and Tony Bennett.
They performed to a full house seven nights a week. Along with big name
entertainment, Jim and his wife Eileen gave their guests food that was
simply the best they'd ever had. Club 86 became "THE" place
to enjoy entertainment and a fabulous meal, serving fine Italian cuisine. |
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From
1946 until the early 50's the Club 86 was a thriving nightclub but when
the war ended the Navy and Air Force bases in the area downsized and much
of the clientele was lost. Television was also becoming more accessible
at that time and people were being entertained in their homes rather than
going out. The nightclub era was drawing to a close.
From the mid 1950’s-60’s Jim struggled to keep the Club alive,
booking entertainment when possible. One of the last acts to play was
Wilmer Alexander & The Dukes. In the 1960’s he decided he needed
to change the focus of the Club from a nightclub to a party house if he
wanted the business to survive. They put their attention on the food that
they had become famous for. For the next several years people would come
to the back door of the Club to buy their homemade sauce and Italian specialties.
Catering became a big part of their business. Eileen used to bake cakes
which were given as an “extra” to those placing a catering
order. The cakes, a specialty with fresh strawberry and cream layers,
were soon in high demand and remain an extremely popular menu item today.
Jim and Eileen ran the Club through the 1990’s, doing most of the
work themselves and enlisting family to wait tables and bartend. Their
reputation had earned them a business that was both steady and loyal.
Jim worked at the Club almost everyday until he passed away in 1999. Today,
a third generation of the Legott family runs Club 86. Jim and Eileen’s
son, Bill, and his wife Lori have taken the reins. Lori has expanded the
cake baking portion of the business, creating not only beautiful wedding
cakes, but cakes for all occasions. |
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Although Club 86 has remodeled a bit since
its heyday, autographed pictures of the stars that performed there, hang
on the walls. Today, the Club is a private party house that is available
for banquets, weddings, and just about any get together up to 400 people. |
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