FAMILY CELEBRATION
Purple Pub marks 45 years in Maplewood
MAPLEWOOD, N.Y.>> A longtime local pub is celebrating its 45th anniversary as a Capital Region favorite.
The Purple Pub Restaurant was opened April 15, 1972, by brothers Bob and Greg Rentz in Maplewood, a small hamlet in the town of Colonie. The business first opened its doors at 2 Cohoes Road as a one-room bar, serving only cold beer and a few sandwiches.
With help from their parents, Libby and Charlie, the brothers turned the small establishment into what is now a three-room restaurant, complete with a full bar and extensive menu. The family- owned and operated Purple Pub has become a staple in the community, employing more than 2,000 people over the years and serving up popular dishes like its signature Purple Pub Pizza Pie. The award-winning recipe, which includes Libby’s homemade pizza sauce, has been used to create more than two million pizzas over the past 45 years.
The next- best selling menu item, by a close margin, is the pub’s chicken wings, served “under the broiler,” a tasty and crispy spin on the classic bar staple .
ue to a high volume of take- out and delivery orders, the owners opened Purple Pub To Go in an adjacent building in 1998.
As they celebrate their 45th year in business, the Rentz family wants to thank loyal patrons who have become more than just customers. Bob and Greg Rentz have watched as customers from 45 years ago are now coming back to the restaurant with their children and grandchildren.
“It’s truly humbling to see so many loyal families still coming to the pub today.,” Greg said in a news release. “It’s been our pleasure to see them grow and continue to serve them. It’s what has inspired us to keep our doors open for the past 45 years.”
Both Greg and Bob are still active in the business, though it is now managed by Greg’s son, Drew. Drew’s goal is to continue his family’s legacy for many years to come.
“Just keep it going,” he said. That means offering the same well-loved meals that the restaurant has served for decades. “Still to this day, all those recipes have remained the same,” Drew said.
Drew said he would also like to bring some new things to the table, “just adding a few of the modern day twists.”
In an area where several of its competitors have closed, the Rentz family hopes to continue serving the community for as long as possible.
“We’re just going to keep on trucking for as long as we can,” Drew said.
Customers who stop in Saturday will receive a token of appreciation from the family.
The Purple Pub is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.purplepub.com or the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages or call 273- 9646.