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Summer 2015
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A New K Town Pub
Watch Your Head
For those who like to dance, Shorty’s is
likely the spot. And if you guessed the
establishment was named after its original
owner, you’d be right, says manager Bart
Fenstermacher, who’s held the position
since 1990. He started at the original
location in the basement floor of 208 W.
Main St., now Pop’s Malt Shoppe. Some
From what General Manager Jeromy Curry
knows, the K’Town Pub, owned by his
family since 2004, has been a tavern of
some kind in Kutztown for about 70 years,
holding the current name since 1995. Prior
to that time, it may have been referred
to as Book & Brew, Doc Roberts and The
Improper.
The Pub is currently in a transition of
sorts, offering a variety of craft beers. In
addition, the menu has seen an overhaul
to include southern-style BBQ. All food is
smoked over local hardwoods.
“For the past few years we have been
hosting the KU Jazz Ensemble every
Tuesday night for a free concert, which has
brought in faculty and administration from
the university,” explains Curry.
PHOTOS BY
John seCoges
HISTORICAL
PHOTOS
CoUrtesy
of KUtZtoWn
area historiCal
soCiety
Left: American House,
Airport Diner Family
Restaurant today
Top: Keystone House,
currently the
Kutztown Tavern
and Shorty’s Bar,
Bottom: K’Town Pub
might say Shorty’s was an appropriate
name, as even those a bit vertically chal-
lenged likely remember being near and dear
to the ceiling inside.
“The atmosphere made you feel as though
you were hanging out with all your friends
in mom and dad’s basement,” explains
1991 communication design graduate Erica
Montes, an Easton resident. “To put it in
perspective, at 5’ 2”, even I could reach the
ceiling with little assistance.”
Currently owned by Matthew Grider and
located at 272 W. Main St. (rear), some
things at Shorty’s have certainly remained
the same, says Fenstermacher. “It was, and
is, the place to be.”
Perhaps 2012 marketing grad Kelli Hertzog
of Bethlehem sums up the Shorty’s of now
best when she recalls, “I was at the center
of the dance floor every time I stepped my
foot on it.”