Barb

Barbara, the other half of Erv’s Mug, was the gal that always had Erv’s back. She was the force behind developing Erv’s from the corner dive bar to the full-service restaurant it is today. Her background was running the office of the Milwaukee Admirals with her best friend, Bill Chimo. She developed her skills as an efficient & precise business manager, starting out when the Admirals first played at Wilson Park and working through the acquisition by the Pettits in 1976. Barb supported Erv’s dream of having his own place, but she indelibly put her own mark on every inch of the restaurant, except its name. In the restaurant’s early days, she was the main bread winner. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that there was enough stability for her to join Erv’s on a full-time basis, but she remained best friends forever with Bill.

Erv’s uncontrolled vision led to the eclectic nature of the restaurant, but it was Barb who gave her visions of color, detail, & great taste. She was the one to reconcile the day-to-day accounting, over-see the night operations, & work on specifics like how we served our martinis. If you knew Barb, you knew she had a party girl personality, was almost always right & wanted her hair as big as possible. I have so many pictures of Barb in full party mode and Erv just along for the ride. She was the center of my dad’s universe, and they loved as fiercely as they fought. Erv’s line that he was ready to leave the party was “Whaddaya say dear” to which Barb would reply, “I say let’s have another drink”. I have no doubt they are now enjoying a VO and Belvedere Martini in a forever City where the party never ends!