In December of 1891, Howard Whiting (Whiting Hotel) and Joseph Lautner joined forces and started construction on two new brick buildings on the east side of Union Street, just behind the Masonic building. The Whiting building was just north of the alley while the Lautner building was across the alley to the south. In 1894 the Whiting Saloon was located at 117 S. Union Street and the Whiting family was living upstairs. According to the 1894 city directory, Traverse City had 24 grocery stores, 10 tailors, 9 shoe stores, 8 jewelry stores, 8 bakeries, 7 clothing stores, 7 hardward stores and 6 drug stores. There were also 18 saloons and 6 restaurants. In the late 1900's, Joseph Lautner purchased the saloon from Howard Whiting and changed the name to Lautner's Home Plate Restaurant, which he ran until 1962 when his sister Louise King took over until 1969. In 1969, Bill and Nancy Kurnik purchased the restaurant and changed the name to the Cabaret and turned it back into more of a saloon with the addition of pool tables and later hours which they owned until 1972. In 1972, Wayne and Beverly Amidon purchased the bar and kept the name but added nighttime entertainment, which forever changed the theme of the bar.
In 1981, the Amidon's sold the Cabaret to Kevin Noble who changed the name to Union Street Station which he owned until 1983 when the Perry group purchased the bar. and has to this date remained the bar's name. In 1987, Union Street Station shut it's doors with a "farwell, it's been fun party," and remained closed until 1988 when Todd and Debbie Perry reopened the bar and started bringing in national blues acts and put U.S.S. back on the live music map. In 1999, they sold the bar to David VanOcker who still owns it to this day. U.S.S. is dedicated to the art of live music, good food and great people!
Union Street Station is always looking to bring in rocking musicians of all genres - so add us to your friends list and send us a message if your looking to play for eager audiences!
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