Token help

[sscindercoop]

Found this token today was wondering what Tommy's place was and how old the token is and any other info. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Cant find anything real old...but I did find in the council minutes where a Tommy's Bar opened in 1975
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=...0cc07.pdf+Tommy's+bar+,Oneonta,NY&hl=en&gl=us

 

[whynot]

Sent an email to Mark Simonson, the Oneonta Historian, requesting information on token... Here is the website: http://www.oneontahistorian.com/index.html

Neat little city and some very neat history here...
Congrats on your find!

 

[Mackaydon]

Found a TOMMY'S PLACE @ 462 ALBANY-SHAKER ROAD
LOUDONVILLE, NY 12211 and another in Rocky Point, NY
Neither seems to be yours.

 

[whynot]

Here's the response from the Oneonta Historian:

I recently spoke with a resident of Oneonta's Sixth Ward, where Tommy's was located. It was on West Broadway, about five doors down from the present Sixth Ward Athletic Club. My source, now 85, recalled that Tommy's opened just after the end of Prohibition. Tommy Pondolfino was the owner. It was amongst the first places in Oneonta to serve pizza pie, which became widely popular after World War II.

It was an incredibly popular night spot, as clients came here to dance, from Big Bands to rock and roll later on. It was Oneonta's first "Go-Go Girl" place in the 1960s.

That token you both asked about was probably a promotional item at the bar. I've seen ads in the Oneonta Star from the 1950s for Tommy's featuring the "Jumbo Beer" for 15-cents.

Pondolfino's son took over but got out of the business soon after. There were supposedly three owners after that, and a fire eventually closed the place sometime in the 1970s or '80s. That's a bit fuzzy right now.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Mark Simonson
Oneonta

-Amazing how a little token like this has such a colorful history associated with it... Great find!
-David

 

[Mackaydon]

Today, there still is a Tommy Pondolfino living in that area. He was the Union President of CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association) Unit 8101 and he testified before the Regular Meeting of the Common Council of Oneonta on August 5, 2008.
(Source: http://www.oneonta.ny.us/pdf/aug5cc08.pdf)
You may wish to re-contact Mr. Simonson or the City of Oneonta to locate Pondolfino and ask him about the history that surrounds this token.
Don....

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here's the response from the Oneonta Historian:

Great ID whynot. I say green check.

 

[whynot]

Mackaydon,
I found a listing for Tommy Pondolfino (70) (and most probably) his son, same name, (46) still in Oneonta. According to the CSEA local website (http://otsegounit8100.com/countyinfo.aspx), he is apparently no longer in that position, however, I have emailed the historian back with the information.

BTW, Thanks BigCypressHunter... My first ID shared with sscindercoop who sent the image as well!!!!

 

[sscindercoop]

Found this token today was wondering what Tommy's place was and how old the token is and any other info. Thanks in advance.

Thanks whynot & Mackaydon for the help