Question: Why did you move from the “Olde North” (2404 N. High St.) to the longer portion of the Short North?
Answer: Humpty Dumpty didn’t jump, he was pushed. George Sicaris, my first and favorite Greek landlord was told by the city to fix up the buildings housing us and Monkey’s Retreat, or tear them down. (They were falling down together.) He opted for the latter option and erect a strip mall.
To George’s credit, he gave me $5,000 and a year’s head start to move on. We were offered the use of a great building (1100 N. High St.) that was originally a library with a beautiful edifice. I used to admire it back in my cab-drivin’ days, while sitting across the street at the then Big Bear grocery (now Family Dollar)
Question: Why did you change the name when you moved? (Probably my most-asked question.)
Answer: Stache’s was officially Stache and Little Brother’s from the time that it opened. The original Stache was Jim, who had a moustache. His co-owner, Kenny, was short, thus nicknamed “little brother.” After Little Brother’s opened, I ran into his wife at the grocery store, who said she was so glad he was finally getting some credit.
My reasons for using it were several. One, I had been a little brother growing up and had used “Little Brother Presents” when promoting shows at other places, like the Newport or Alrosa Villa. Plus, also, too (to borrow a Scrawl album title), my older, shorter brother, Terry Dougan, who died suddenly in 1991, was a fan of the club. His last words to me were “see you at NRBQ” (at Stache’s). I know I felt his spirit there whenever they played Little Brother’s, and whenever someone covered a John Prine song.