At Least I Will Have the Memories of Sharkey’s

I know Sharkey’s has been for sale for the past several months, but I didn't think they would close before they found a new owner. But Sharkey's announced yesterday that they are closing at the end of the month according to WNBF.

I didn't grow up here, but my wife Chris did. Back when we were still dating, we had the hankering for some clams one night so Chris suggested we go to Sharkey's. I had heard of Sharkey's prior to that, but I had never been there. So Chris, Ian, and I went to Sharkey's to get some food.

We got a couple of dollars in quarters from the bar, and the three of us played the shuffleboard bowling game that they had in the back room while we waited for the food. After we were done eating, we got Ian a couple more dollars in quarters so he could keep playing the video games, while Chris and I sat there talking.

She told me about how her father used to take her to Sharkey's when she was young and they would sit at a small square table in the bar area. They would order a spiedie and share that while they waited for their pizza to take home. Chris told me how her father would always order her a ginger ale with a cherry in it. Those are the memories she will always have of Sharkey's.

Since our first trip to Sharkey's together, we have been going there a couple of times a year, especially during Lent. We are Catholic so we can’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. So we head to Sharkey’s to get clams, pierogies, and other non-meat menu items. Chris, Ian and I would order dozens of clams, mussels, pierogies, clam baskets, and other things off the menu and then put everything in the middle of the table and we would share it all. We would always leave with a bunch of leftovers.

So until Sharkey's gets a new owner, and according to Bob Joseph from WNBF the owners say there is an offer on the place, I guess we will have to make new memories during Lent somewhere else.

Sharkey's Bar and Grill is located on Glenwood Avenue in Binghamton and has
been in business for over 72 years.

To the owners… thanks for the memories and the great food. Enjoy your retirement.

[via: WNBF]