ca. 1976. Owner Reno Rosi served up spaghetti with the famous rich red sauce in this 1976 photograph of the kitchen at Bimbo's Avenue Cafe, 1514-1516 Pacific Ave. The restaurant was opened in 1921 by Rosi's uncle Vittorio "Bimbo" Perniconi when he arrived in Tacoma from his native Lucca, on Italy's northwest coast. During Prohibition it was rumored that he served up a little gambling and bootleg gin along with the spaghetti. In 2001, the long time family owned business was bought out by the City of Tacoma, to make way for the convention center. The city bought the rights to the name "Bimbo's" and the recipes to four of the sauces. Bimbo's closed its doors in late September of 2001 after 80 years of business. This photograph was taken in 1976 by John Vlahovich / Vlahovich Design Associates for the opening of the Bicentennial Building. (TNT 8/22/2001, pg. 1) TPL-9516, BU-13378

Bimbo's Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Rosi, Reno;

The interior of Avenue Cafe shows the cooking area in the left foreground with the lunch counter further along the left side. Tables and benches are placed along the right. The long room is divided with pillars that have been faced with mirrors. The newly remodeled cafe held a grand opening January 31, 1952. The cafe was opened in 1921 by Vittorio "Bimbo" Perniconi and John Teglia. It was named Avenue Cafe in 1935 and renamed Bimbo's Avenue Cafe in 1953. The restaurant closed in 2001 when the City of Tacoma bought the property to make way for the new convention center. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-6414

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of the Avenue Cafe is shown at night with neon signs in the front windows, above the upper windows and on the sign perpendicular to the front of the cafe. Another neon sign spelling "Cocktails" over the entrance is not lit. The cafe advertises food to go. Vittorio Perniconi owned Avenue Cafe at 1516 Pacific Avenue and Reno Rose served as manager. The cafe was renamed "Bimbo's Avenue Cafe" in 1953. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-3841

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;