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HIGH GEAR, PAGE 8
High GEAR Interview
JOE BRUNO: He's Seen Them Come and Go
Editors Note: Joe Bruno has been a part of the Gay Scene in Cleveland for over twenty years. He was one of the original group of individuals in Cleveland who first realized the need for places that a Gay person could go to without hassles.
Joe was somewhat reluctant to undertake this interview owing to the fact that he has recently sold his interest in the 620 Club to his son-inlaw Chuck. He was concerned that we were interested in doing a story on the 620 and would take away, as it were, from what he rightfully felt should be Chuck's spotlight. When he discovered that the real story here was Joe the person, he consented. HIGH GEAR says meet Joe Bruno...
High Gear Joe, many of us have seen you sitting on that stool of yours. How long has it been?
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Joe I've been in this business 24 years. Eleven of them at Jack's on 105th and Euclid and now thirteen here on Frankfort.
High Gear What made Joe Bruno decide to open a Gay Bar?
Joe I was the owner of Jack's in conjunction with some business associates of mine since 1952. It was a straight bar in those days. About 1958 business started to decline. Up until that I had had a few gay patrons in Jack's. One of them was an individual called the "Gypsy." One night we standing around talking, and he said, “Why don't you open this place as a gay bar?" I thought it was a good idea, so I bought out my partners and opened Jack's as a gay club in August, 1958.
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High GEAR Interview
With this month's HIGH GEAR, we are beginning a new series of articles, interviews with people in our Community who have contributed substantially to the betterment of life for all of us.
In coming months, in this section of the paper, we will explore many avenues of the gay experience in Cleveland as seen through the eyes of its movers.
This month's interviews are with Rick Berg, President of the recently formed Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club and with Joe Bruno, a former owner of the 620 Club, a mover in the gay community for 25 years.
We interviewed Berg right after the September meeting of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club. He has some interesting things to say about local politics and about how he got involved
Within a very short time the word went through the grapevine and Jack's was going strong as a gay establishment.
High Gear When you were making this changeover, did you receive much support from your family and friends?
Joe My family has been supportive from the beginning. Chuck has been with me for about fourteen years. He has been very supportive and has offered his advice where he thought he should. Estelle has been just wonderful, too. But, when I made the original decision to change the bar I didn't really discuss it with anyone else. It was my decision. As for my business associates, they weren't as broadminded as I, so I bought them out.
High Gear When you made the intial turnover did you have any problems with City Hall or the police?
Joe No, I didn't have any problems here. I did have some problems at first with some of the college students in the area where Jack's was located. They used to go into the restrooms and bait some of our guests. But we soon weeded them out and from then on we didn't have any major problems. Insofar as City Hall is concerned, we have never had any problems.
High Gear You've seen a lot of people come and go over the years. Are many of your original people still coming in now?
Joe Oh yes, we have a lot of our “Charter Members" still coming. Of course they're twenty years older now! From the beginning I've tried to treat all of my patrons with respect and done my best to make them feelat home. I've tried to pass this on to Chuck and the others who work here. People are still coming and I guess that's the best indication that we've been successful in our efforts.
High Gear Since 1968, Gay people have been more open and visible than in the past. Have attitudes on the part of your customers changed since you opened?
Joe In the past twenty-four years there has been quite a change in thinking. Both in how my customers perceive themselves and how they are perceived by the rest of the community. I think they are more accepted now. In the beginning my customers were quiet and seclusive. They were very careful about who they let know they were coming here. Now I don't think this is still the ease. Although people-are-still
careful, they are more open particularly with their families and friends. This new crowd does its own thing. High Gear What do you feel has 'been the primary attraction of the 620 Club?
Joe I have never taken advantage of the fact my customers are gay. By that I mean I've never overcharged my guests or done anything to hurt feelings. I've helped several people who were in trouble and had a ready ear to talk with anybody. I've had an open mind all my life. Who am I to judge anyone?
High Gear Recently you sold your interest in the 620 to your sonin-law, Chuck. If he were just starting out in this business, what advice would you give him?
Joe I would say we are not the judges of anyone. Respect people and let them live their own lives. Be honest with them. Treat the people who come here as you would like to be treated.
High Gear What has been your best time in the past 24 years?
Joe I would have to say the Halloween Parties. You know, the one I remember best was the first one we had at Jack's in 1959. I have 8 MM movies of that one. One of these days I'll have to show them here. I think people would get a real charge out of them!
between the two since you've done both?
Joe The gay clientele I've had over the years have treated both me and my property with respect. Comparatively, the people who in my experience go to straight establishments lack this sense of respect to property. Damage is done to the bar and there is no real thought, or i should say guilt, about the damage. My guests have always said that if everyone in the world was gay, there wouldn't be any trouble, particularly if they were all like the people that come in here.
High Gear Do you have any real regrets about turning over the reins to Chuck?
Joe No. None at all. As I said before, Chuck has been involved with this for fourteen years. He knows what he's doing and I have every confidence in him to do a good job. My one regret has been that my health has not been as good as it was before. This has limited the amount of time I have to come down here. Fridays and Saturdays would be pretty drab if I couldn't be here. I look forward to it every week.
High Gear One last question. If High Gear What has been your Joe Bruno were a tree, what kind of worst time? a tree would he be?
Joe I really don't recall anything bad. All my memories are sweet. I guess I would have only one regret. That would be that I didn't open a gay bar sooner than I did. I've known about the gay community since 1938. Many of my friends over the years have been gay. They have treated me as a friend and respected me and my family. Perhaps I should have started sooner.
High Gear How do you feel about being a "straight" gay bar owner? Do you see any difference
Joe I never really thought about that before. I guess that I would say I'm an oak. I like to think of myself as strong and solid. My roots go deeply into the community and I've been around a long time. An oak sums that up pretty well, don't you think?
High Gear Yes Joe, I think it does. Many thanks for giving us this opportunity to know you a little bet-
ter.
The 620 Family Chuck W). Jos (c), and Estelle.**
Photos: By John Barrick