Paterson Mayor Honored Patsy's Tavern Owners
The city awarded the owners of the historic local restaurant the Key to the City for their lasting contributions.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Awards
Live Poll
Do you believe long-standing local businesses are essential to preserving your community's identity?
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh presented the Key to the City to Steve and Jill Barbarulo. The ceremony took place during an Italian flag-raising event honoring local Italian-American heritage.
Why it matters
The city recognized the owners for their commitment to preserving a multigenerational family business that has operated for nearly a century. This honor highlights the cultural and economic importance of long-standing local establishments in the Paterson community.
Patsy's Tavern and Restaurant opened in 1931 and has been in operation for 95 years. The establishment continues to utilize its original brick ovens to serve customers.
The players
Andre Sayegh
He is the Mayor of Paterson who presented the award during the ceremony.
Steve and Jill Barbarulo
They are the owners of the historic Patsy's Tavern and Restaurant.
The details
Three generations of the Barbarulo family have operated the restaurant, which has earned enough recognition to attract filming interest from both HBO and Netflix. The award was bestowed as part of a larger celebration of the heritage of the city.
Timeline
1931: Patsy's Tavern and Restaurant opened.
October 12, 2026: The city held the flag-raising and award ceremony.
Culture Shift
This recognition aligns with a growing societal trend of highlighting the role of legacy businesses in maintaining local cultural identity. Such honors emphasize the shift toward valuing long-term community stewardship in an era of rapid commercial change.
Residents can continue to support the long-standing restaurant as it maintains its original 1931 methods. The high profile of this venue may lead to increased visitor interest and potential traffic near the restaurant's location.
The takeaway
Honoring long-standing establishments reinforces the pride and historical continuity of a local community. Supporting these legacy businesses helps ensure that unique cultural landmarks remain a fixture for future generations.
Further reading
Learn more about local recognitions on the Paterson Awards page.
Live Poll
Do you believe long-standing local businesses are essential to preserving your community's identity?
