Ross Township’ s Kretzler’ s Tavern delights customers in its third generation of family ownership.
Ross Township’ s Kretzler’ s Tavern delights customers in its third generation of family ownership.
Brandon Kretzler( center) with sister Brittney Kretzler( left) and cousin Lindsay Kretzler( right).
SERVING It Up Through GENERATIONS
BY NICOLE TAFE
Through three generations, Ross Township’ s Kretzler’ s Tavern is running strong.“ My grandfather, Howard Kretzler, opened Kretzler’ s Tavern in 1951 as a neighborhood bar. Then my father, Roy Kretzler, and uncle, Dennis Kretzler, took over in 1978. Now my cousin, Jason Kretzler, and I are continuing the family business into its third generation,” says Brandon Kretzler.
A native of the North Hills, Brandon attended grade school at St. Sebastian and went on to the North Hills junior and senior high schools. His daughter, Kallie, 15, is a student at North Hills High School and his son, Cameron, 7, attends McIntyre Elementary. He is currently engaged to Danielle Traeger, who is a teacher for the Pittsburgh Public Schools.
As a child, Brandon and his cousins were always at the tavern. From spending time helping out around the business to playing in the parking lot and the creek behind the building, he recalls many great childhood memories surrounding the tavern.
“ I worked at Kretzler’ s as a busboy and dishwasher when I was in high school and my dad and uncle owned it,” he says, noting the many changes the business has gone through since it was first established in 1951.
Under the ownership of Brandon’ s father and uncle in the 1980s, the original bar was renovated and expanded into a restaurant and bar. In the late 1990s, the brothers added a banquet room that seats up to 100 people. The tavern hosts a variety of events and parties, including baby and bridal showers, holiday parties, birthdays, wakes and more, as a result of this addition.“ Kretzler’ s is the perfect place to gather with family and friends,” says Brandon.
He and his cousin have also remodeled since taking over in 2014. They installed new floors and handmade furniture as well as six TVs at the bar— one of which is a 110-inch big screen for sporting events.
Classic 24-ft. shuffleboard in Kretzler’ s bar area, built in the 1940s by American Shuffleboard Company.
Photos by Nicole Tafe
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