Crystal Beer Parlor

In the early 1900s, what was to become the CRYSTAL BEER PARLOR opened as the "Gerken Family Grocery Store." It was operated by a young Julius Weitz with his parents and siblings. They all lived upstairs over the store. Sold in the early Thirties to William "Blocko" and Connie Manning, The Crystal was one of the first American eating establishments to serve alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition. (Probably because the booze was already on the premises!) It's rumored that Blocko ran illegal hooch and operated a speakeasy during Prohibition. Native Savannahians still talk about The Crystal. Some got engaged here, had their first date or beer here, or came with their family for a juicy burger, homemade fries, and creamy crab stew. Many of the pictures on the walls depict scenes from Savannah's past and some of her more famous and infamous citizens! Pictures from our family album are proudly displayed in the Monroe Room, lovingly named after Monroe Whitlock, who, along with A.G. "Smitty" Smith, were servers here for almost 45 years.