Omaha Exploration

The site that explores history, iconic establishments, attractions, activities, new developments and more!

,

Sammy Piccolo’s Bar

It was only after enlisting in the Army and serving during World War II that Salvatore (Sammy) Piccolo opened his long running bar in Millard. Prior to that he was awarded a Purple Heart due to a shrapnel wound he received when the soldier next to him was blown up from an artillery shell in…

Patrick Wyman
2–4 minutes
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was only after enlisting in the Army and serving during World War II that Salvatore (Sammy) Piccolo opened his long running bar in Millard. Prior to that he was awarded a Purple Heart due to a shrapnel wound he received when the soldier next to him was blown up from an artillery shell in 1945. After returning home to recover, he went back and continued to fight. By the time the war ended, he received a second Purple Heart.

Looking down what is now Millard Ave. The date is unknown but the Drug store is the location where Sammy Piccolo would later open his bar. Photo courtesy of John Bauder in Forgotton Milard Facebook group.

Those experiences resulted in a somewhat difficult transition back to civilian life. Despite that, he pressed on and married Alice Jane Timberman with whom he started a family while working as a shipping clerk as well as his father’s bakery.

Outside Piccolo’s Bar at its current location on 13328 Millard Ave. Photo courtesy of Scooter’s Bar Journal.

Eventually Sammy followed the lead of his brother and in-laws in starting a restaurant. Anthony Piccolo operated Piccolo Pete’s alongside wife Grace Caniglia whose brothers had restaurants all over town including Caniglia’s Pizzaria, Mister C’s and Venice Inn among others.

Inside Piccolo’s Bar. Photo courtesy of Scooter’s Bar Journal.

In 1962 Sammy opened his restaurant in a new strip mall at 132nd and L Street in Millard. Sammy Piccolo’s Restaurant and Lounge served steaks in addition to seafood, chicken and pizza. After a five year run in the restaurant business, he decided to instead transition to the bar business. The new venture not requiring as much space resulted in him relocating to Millard’s main street at 13328 Millard Ave in 1967 at the site of the former Herrington’s Drug Store.

Shuffleboard table at Piccolo’s Bar. Photo courtesy of Scooter’s Bar Journal.

It seems that Sammy found his place serving his many regulars at Piccolo’s Bar. He established a routine in which he would wake up early, sip coffee, chat with customers and play shuffleboard in his bar which was known as being one of the best places to play in town. His son, Tim, worked at the bar alongside his father before taking it over. After Sammy passed away in 2016, Tim said that he was a great man who lived a long, good life. He was proud of his Sicilian heritage and loved his customers and tending bar.

Shuffleboard table and customers at the bar inside Piccolo’s.

Content written by Omaha Exploration. Feel free to leave a comment or a suggestion. Until then, keep exploring!

Bonus pics

This bust is located near the entrance in front of the shuffleboard inside Piccolo’s Bar.
Looking down what is now Millard Ave. The date is unknown but the Drug store is the location where Sammy Piccolo would later open his bar. Photo courtesy of John Bauder in Forgotton Milard Facebook group.
The location of Piccolo’s Bar in Millard.

Subscribe

Type your email address below to be notified when a new story is posted.

Follow me on

Sponsor

Please contact me if you’re interested in sponsoring Omaha Exploration page: https://omahaexploration.com/contact-me/

Omaha Exploration, 2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Omaha Exploration with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Discover more from Omaha Exploration

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment