The Matchcover Storyteller

This matchcover has a lot going for it: it’s an Italian Restaurant.  It’s New York City.  It’s a Celebrity.  It’s a 40-strike.  

Not in that order…

“Grampa” was actor Al Lewis; he played Grampa on “The Musters” on television from 1964 to 1966.  He had previously acted with Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) as Officer Al Schnauser on the iconic 1961-1963 TV show, “Car 54, Where Are You?”

Al Lewis opened “Grampa’s Bella Gente” in April 1987 on Bleecker Street in New York City’s Greenwich Village.   He was often there in the persona of Grampa Munster, either inside greeting diners and fans or sitting outside on a stool smoking a cigar.  Loads of passersby often stopped just for that “brush with fame”.   Grampa’s was called a “notable” Italian restaurant, albeit with a kind of kitschy atmosphere that reflected the owner.  It was also popular with other celebrities including Fred Gwynne.

In March of 1988 a man was shot to death execution-style, mob-style outside Grampa’s.  He was sitting in a stretch limo at the time. Police did not want to characterize it as such, but the victim’s father and uncle were described as members of the Gambino family, one of the city’s notorious “Five Families”.  The shooting by a helmeted motorcyclist who sped away happened in the morning; the restaurant was not open.

Al Lewis closed Grampa’s Bella Gente in 1993.   He remained an outspoken advocate of free speech and dabbled a bit in politics.  Health issues started to plague him in 2003 and Al Lewis died in hospital in 2006 at age 82.

The site today is a series of townhouse units.

This is the only matchcover I know of for Al Lewis & Grampa’s; if you know of another, please share!