Cafe Columbus

Over the years it is well known in my family that numerous relatives either owned or worked in bars or saloons and grills as they were called years ago. Today while scanning some books I discovered an 1893 advertisement for the Cafe Columbus. I noticed that an uncle of mine, Stephen Behrhof, was the proprietor.

His locale was at 276 South Pearl Street. I was not aware that he operated a saloon. His Bavarian-born father, Michael Behrhof, operated a grill at 48 Delaware Street. The original building is torn down and the newer building is now a church. In the 1950s my grandfather, Joseph Albert Koreman, was part owner of a grill called KCs at the same location. I am positive that my grandfather did not know that his great grandfather also ran a saloon in the same location.

By 1900 Stephen Behrhof was a well known tailor and was in business with his nephew, Henry Koreman Jr. at 276 South Pearl Street. Their business was Koreman & Behrhof. From researching Albany City Directories, it appears that after a little less than ten years, Stephen Behrhof switched gears left the saloon business and became a tailor.

On page 44 of the 1893 Albany City Directory lists my great great granduncle as such:
Behrhof Stephen, saloon, 276 S. Pearl, h. do.
In the same directory on page 398 in the business directory section under Liquors, Wines, etc. Retail
his listing reads:
Behrhof Stephen, 276 South Pearl

Stephen Behrhof, circa 1907

Stephen Behrhof was born in Albany at 8 Delaware Street in 1856. He married Wilhelmia Neudorf circa 1885. Stephen was a member of numerous Gesangvereine or singing societies over the years. He died in 1917. His gravestone reads "He Sings in Heaven".

Gravestone before uprighting in 2013