Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
GENE'S MAIN STREET TAP
GENE'S MAIN STREET TAP. Gene’s Main Street Tap, owned and operated by Eugene “Gene” Bechen, was the successor to BETTY & NICK'S TAP, which was located at 342 W. 8th, next to the KDTH RADIO STATION.
Around 1987 Bechen, who was employed as a bartender at Betty & Nick’s, purchased the establishment from Betty, the widow of Nick Krajnovich, who had died in 1982. Bechen retained Betty & Nick’s Tap as the name of the tavern, but not too long thereafter the lease for the building was not renewed.
Gene moved the business to 1007 Main St., where it was rechristened Gene’s Main Street Tap, and many of Betty & Nick’s patrons made their way to the new location.
Gene retired in 1995, and the tavern had its last call on June 30. Bechen died in 2003.
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Sources:
Telegraph Herald, April 14, 1982, obituary for Nick Krajnovich.
Telegraph Herald, September 14, 2003, obituary for Eugene J. Bechen.
City Directories:
1987 Bechen Eug J, p. 30 (210/1267)
1988 Betty & Nick's Tap, p. 43 (261/1615)
1989 Gene's Mainstreet Tap (sic) p. 184 (200/1290)
1989 Bechen Eug J (Gene's Main St Tap), p. 31 (251/1290)
The 1989 through 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 1007 Main.
Personal recollections of Tom Larson
