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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