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WHEREAS, Le Mardi Gras, possessor of a rich and storied Pittsburgh history, is located at 731 Copeland Street in Shadyside, and is the oldest family owned authentic cocktail lounge in Pittsburgh, having been founded by Joe Costanzo and Paul Harris and now is owned and operated by Joe's son, Rich Costanzo and his wife Renee; and
WHEREAS, for over 45 years the Mardi Gras was located at 742 Bellefonte Street, a building where in the early years of the 20th century, the beautiful Miss Evelyn Nesbitt once lived and reportedly later entertained her ex-husband, Harry K. Thaw, after he was released from prison for the historic murder of famed architect Stanford White; and
WHEREAS, the Mardi Gras on Bellefonte Street, built in 1954, was purchased in 1960 from Mr. Oscar Gendelberg, who had commissioned architect Tom Simons Sr. for the design and Art Institute teacher Tom Kouris to paint the murals that depicted celebrants of Mardi Gras; and
WHEREAS, the original Mardi Gras was razed to make room for new construction in Shadyside, but Le Mardi Gras on Copeland Street faithfully pays homage to the original Bellefonte Street location, with the murals lovingly restored and the furniture arrangement replicating the older building; and
WHEREAS, as important as the geography and the history of the Mardi Gras is the rich and diverse clientele it has served through the years, including the continuing cast of regulars, neighbors and visitors, as well as such esteemed personalities as baseball greats Sandy Koufax and Steve Carlton, rock star Alice Cooper and actor Harvey Keitel who starred in the film "Two Evil Eyes" which was shot at the Mardi Gras; and
WHEREAS, the story of the Mardi Gras is the story of Joe Costanzo dubbed "The World's Greatest Bartender", who came here as a 9 year old Italian immigrant and built a successful business and left a wonderful, colorful legacy to his son, Rich Costanzo, who also is a successful real estate developer and is developing his own legacy.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends and salutes Le Mardi Gras, Pittsburgh's premier and oldest authentic cocktail lounge, on its 50th Anniversary, and for 50 good years of serving people in a friendly, diverse and stylish atmosphere; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh declares Friday, July 16, 2004 "Le Mardi Gras Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.