Good News for pubbites is that the Essex St., which closed briefly for a few days, has reopened. Whatever issues needed to be worked out with the State Liquor Authority have been addressed and the lights are on again. In fact, I shot two games of pool there last night…. and lost both games. Maybe you’ll have better luck.

Word is that the SLA closed down the venerable Essex St. Pub yesterday. Apparently, while recently deceased Peter Goretti had partners in his other two operations, the Tralf and Showplace Theatre, the Pub was a sole proprietorship. With Peter gone there is no longer a proprietor to hold a liquor license. It was bad enough losing Peter, now one of the city’s most colorful watering spots is gone, as well.

PETER GORETTI long time owner of the Essex St. Pub, Showplace, and more recently the Tralf, died unexpectedly of a heart attack this morning. Peter was one of Buffalo’s greatest supporters of live music and through his businesses contributed something to Buffalo few other people can match. We will all miss him. Services will no doubt be announced soon in the Buffalo News.