You are reading

Elmhurst street co-named in honor of former Grandstand bar owner John Browne

An Elmhurst street corner has been co-named after John Browne, the former owner of the Grandstand Pub and Restaurant, a beloved Irish American bar that closed last year. Attendees at the event (Photo provided by Donie Carrol)

June 13, 2023 By Michael Dorgan

An Elmhurst street corner has been co-named after the former owner of the Grandstand Pub and Restaurant, a beloved Irish American bar that closed last year.

The intersection of Simonson Street and Grand Avenue is now known as John Browne Way, named after the publican John Browne who died early last year.

Councilman Shekar Krishnan joined Browne’s family and friends, as well as local residents and former customers of the bar, for the co-naming ceremony. Many of the attendees were of Irish descent.

John Browne (Provided by Shekar Krishnan)

Browne, an Irish immigrant from County Cork, was the face of the pub, having established it in 1988. Locals credited Browne for turning the bar into a gathering place for immigrants in search of a helping hand. It was a neighborhood staple for nearly 35 years.

Under Browne’s stewardship, the bar became known for its welcoming atmosphere and often hosted Irish music sessions and karaoke. Well-known Irish musicians Mick Moloney and Donie Caroll often performed at the bar.

Carrol, who played a number of Irish traditional songs during the June 10 ceremony, remembered Browne fondly, and said the co-naming was deserving of the Cork man. He said Browne was very generous and gave back to the local community.

“It was a great idea to co-name that street because John was an icon and one of the most compassionate, decent people you could ever wish to meet,” Carrol told the Queens Post. “I played music for him for 25 years and he was very supportive of everything artistic, and the local community as well.”

The bar was often used for community events and family events, such as birthday parties, or after religious celebrations such as Holy Communions. It was also known for its Christmas breakfasts and Browne would buy toys for the children who attended, according to Krishnan.

Browne, Carrol said, was a tremendous advocate for Irish immigrants who arrived in New York in search of a better life. The Grandstand was often the first stop for many immigrants looking for employment, as well as housing — and John would always do his best to help them.

Browne was an advocate for the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (IIRM), which sought to legalize the status of undocumented immigrants from Ireland in the late 1980s.

The movement was initiated by the County Cork Benevolent, Patriotic, and Protective Association, an organization that aims to maintain roots between Cork and people who have immigrated to America from Cork.

Browne was a member of the organization for nearly 50 years and a past president, Carrol said.

“He supported new immigrants to New York and was also a terrific leader of the Cork Association,” Carrol said.

Browne also served in the U.S. Armed Forces, from 1960 to 1962, as part of the 3rd Aviation Company of the 3rd Infantry Division. He was also active in the labor movent as a shop steward.

Krishnan said that Browne was an extraordinary person whose actions, deeds, and words will live on. He said Browne was also an exemplary business owner, and that his legacy will leave a lasting impact.

“Each and every one of you … has had a personal connection with such a wonderful human being, whose story and history will live on permanently in our community, marked by a street today.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Mayor Adams shares 90-day progress of Operation Restore Roosevelt

Jan. 22, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Operation Restore Roosevelt, a 90-day multi-agency initiative launched in October 2024 by Mayor Eric Adams and Council Member Francisco Moya to address quality-of-life issues along Roosevelt Avenue, has resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests and over 11,500 summonses. The operation focused on addressing community concerns such as prostitution, illegal brothels, unlicensed vending, retail theft, and other public safety challenges.

SUV driver killed after losing control and crashing into a detached garage in Jamaica: NYPD

A 63-year-old man was killed Tuesday morning after he crashed his SUV after losing control of the vehicle on a residential block in Jamaica.

The driver was behind the wheel of a 2015 Toyota Rav4 traveling eastbound on 90th Street shortly after 5 a.m. when he jumped the east curb at the intersection of 143rd Street and drove straight into the driveway of a home at 89-25 143rd St., police said. The NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that the SUV continued through the driveway before colliding into the detached garage and a parked and unoccupied 2011 Toyota Prius inside the structure. The impact caused the garage to collapse on both vehicles, trapping the Rav4 driver.