LENEGHAN BOYS BUILD TREE HOUSE

by
J C Sullivan, Ohio, USA

What a grand summer night 'twas. Two Cleveland Indians baseball tickets in hand, me beautiful blond bride of thirty years at me side, crusin' and takin' a detour to check out Cleveland's newest pub before the game. To say the establishment is unique wouldn't do it justice. The Tree House is a creation - of Scott Gurko and brothers Tom and Pete Leneghan, and fueled by a passion to fulfill a dream. They've interspersed plenty of hard work to turn a ninety-year old former bank into a contemporary 'Libation Arboretum.' "Our father gave us our vision and work ethic," said Tom Leneghan, referring to the late Bartley Leneghan, a native of Ballycroy. Their mother is Bridget Campbell Leneghan of Cleveland. "It was unfortunate that he passed away before he could see this project come about. He would've been down here giving us a lot of help. We owe what we have to his upbringing and his good help." The boys father first American pub was the Pride of Erin, which he co-owned with brother-in-law John Campbell. His uncle Chris Campbell, along with cousin Tom McGowan, own the Blarney Stone Tavern, both of which are popular Irish pubs on Lorain Avenue.

"Pete always came over to Ireland," said Pete Leneghan. That's 'Irish Pete' from Westport being quoted, not to be confused with his cousin 'American Pete.' "I befriended him and we ended up being best buddies. We talked about this project in a Dublin pub about five years ago. That day he said to me, 'Someday Pete, I'm going to build a bar. Then one day they rang me up and said, 'Come on over to America. It's happening - we're building it. I came over to give 'em a hand" And it was "Irish Pete" who came up with the name The Tree House.

The Cleveland Leneghan boys have come a long way from their first pub, Westie's Tavern on Cleveland's West 25th Street. We stopped in there once for a cold one and to wish the boys well in what was their new endeavor at the time. We didn't see them that day but a customer from Puerto Rico happened in while we were there. Inquiring of our heritage, we informed him we were Irish. "Oh," he said, "you're the people who ride horses and buggies." Amish and Irish - that's about as close as it got in his world view.

Actually the Puerto Rican fellow wasn't far off the mark if he'd been talking to 'American Pete', who does own a horse and buggy business in New York City, a trade that's dominated by the Irish there. "He's owned the Shamrock Stable for at least seven years," said Bridget Campbell Leneghan. "They work the area of Central Park. The day half of the business is being run by John McGowan (no relation) and another guy works the night half. Pete worked it himself for six years," she said.

'American Pete' is thinking of going back to New York shortly to work the business for the balance of this year. "Christmas and New Year," said brother Tom. "Jimmy Campbell, John's brother, was the owner of the stable. That's how he got involved in the business." Pete worked hard and was able to save some money and buy the day half of the business. "A year or two later he was able to buy the night half. So now he owns the whole medallion." 'American Pete', forever the entrepreneur, recently purchased a new carriage and sent it to New York. "He already brought the old carriage to Cleveland. We're going to refurbish it and put it downtown," Tommy concluded.

So, you've been thinking, why have they named the Cleveland establishment The Tree House? There's a couple of answers to the question. The area in which it's been built - Tremont, is on Cleveland's near West Side. It sits at the corner of College and Professor Avenues, across from St. John Cantius Church. "We decided that the place was a little too nice and we didn't want to intimidate anyone with a stuffy name so my cousin Pete came up with the idea making it sound like a fun place but having nice decor", said Tom's brother 'American Pete ' Leneghan. "It's a comfortable place," brother Tom interjected, "and we have a fun name to go along with that." Tommy recommends Mayo folks who visit Cleveland see the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum or attend a Cleveland Indians baseball game. "Stop in at The Tree House for a cold one ," he said. "Should they stop before or after the game?" I asked. "Before and after."

The Tree House menu and chef keep within the international tradition the boys have established in getting the project off the ground. Their Palestinian chef is Ayman (no lie) and his menu lists Black Sea Caviar, Mediterraneo and Moroccan Couscous. Lest any visitors bemoan a lack of American fare he also offers the good ole Juicy Greasy Burger. Yee Haw! 'All delicacies are served on a piece of lumber,' the menu reads. 'Prices are up to you! After your meal, you decide!' Well boys, for the sake of yer pocketbook, I hope none of my relatives show up!

'Irish Pete' designed the round tables and the stools that folks sit on. He also laid the patio chessboard. "It'll be one of the first outdoor chessboards in Cleveland. The pieces will be about two feet in height. There'll be two tall chairs on either side of the board. Whoever's playing next will move your pieces."

"He designed a lot of it sitting 'round the bar talkin'," added cousin Tom. 'Irish Pete' responded by saying "Things are hard to do in Ireland but Tom and Pete made it so easy for me over here I just want to thank them."

'Irish Pete's' father, John, is a contractor in Dublin. "He taught me everything I know. My mother, is Mamie (Corrigan) Leneghan from Doona, Ballycroy." Pete's unmarried brother John is a carpenter living in Dublin. His sister Maureen Doyle lives in Dublin as well. Brothers Gerry and Noel, both tradesmen, are married and living in Westport.

"I've learned some more good things about life since I came over," said 'Irish Pete.' "We have a good life in Ireland but we don't realize how good it is until you come over to America; the richness of having land, having freedom; having the ocean right beside you. And I only realized that when I came over here. Everybody's dreams are to go back to Ireland and retire and they just work over here . But they have family - that's what keeps them over here. It just makes me think an awful lot about how much I miss home.

Pete's father was the only one of his family to stay in Ireland. "All his brothers came over. They're doing pretty good. I'm the only one out of my family to come over here and try to make a living. Everybody over here made it good and I think they're more Irish than we are over there. They're keepin' the culture alive over here - it's unbelievable. There's more culture over here than there is in Ireland. That's what I see. The parades, the flags flying outside the houses; I know that's easy to say coming from Ireland but we don't have to do it because we're Irish. We don't realize how much people think about us over in America. Coming over here - it's so easy 'cause everybody wants to help you. And that's nice 'cause if you go over to Ireland we're there for you, too.

"Tremont is the perfect locale for people who are looking for a good time with a variety of places to stop into, places that are at once happening and sophisticated, yet comfortable and congenial," said manager Mike Hurley, as quoted in Downtown Tab magazine. "Tremont is the place they're discovering and The Tree House is one of the jewels in the crown."