SPOTLIGHT: OWEGO ORIGINAL'S

Owego has never had a lack of things to do. Just a twenty minute drive from Downtown Binghamton, the “coolest small town in America” is known for its street festivals, quirky boutiques, antique shops, and overall homestead-meets-hippie vibe. So it may come as no surprise that the town’s most popular pizza joint is just a little bit, well, more.

Original Italian Pizza & Restaurant, located in the heart of Owego, has never lacked for business. A staple of the tightknit downtown dining scene for over two and a half decades, they made a name for themselves serving up New York style pies and gourmet Italian staples from their Lake Street location. But this is not a story about pizza. This is a story about music.

A few years back, owners Mike and Rob Yammine bought the vacant storefront next door to their 23 Lake Street location with plans of busting through the wall and opening a banquet hall. Yet, while the pizza industry was booming, the banquet market wasn’t. Left with their new space at 25 Lake Street, they decided to open a bar. Original’s Originals Bar and Lounge, attached to the pizzeria from the inside, officially opened in 2014, and from the beginning, music has been a priority.

This is in no small part due to the efforts of bar manager Bradley Crews. Crews is a Utah native with an extensive background in both theatre and bar management who found himself in the Southern Tier at the perfect time. Says Crews, “I saw an ad in the paper, and it turned out my cousin had worked at the pizzeria for seven years. I got the gig and hit the ground running.”

Before the bar even had a “look” or a liquor license, Crews got busy booking music. Originals debuted as a venue right around the 2014 Holiday Season, with an event called “Beersgiving,” featuring the music of local favorites Voodoo Highway. “We didn’t know what it was supposed to be,” continues Crews, “but the name was great! The band got up and said ‘well, we don’t know what a Beersgiving is, but we’re glad to be here!”

Over the course of the following year, the lounge transformed. Aesthetically, they went for a warm Mediterranean look, commissioning a Tuscan mural along one wall by local artist Rob Boss. The liquor license was granted, a cocktail list was curated, and a steady stream of musical and comedy events followed.

“The plan has always been to book an event, not just a show. So, six musicians in a night, or pairing up solo acts to perform as duets, or booking a night of all ukulele music- something to set it all apart.” They’ve thrown a handful of successful comedy events as well, under the moniker ‘Owego Uncensored.’

Original’s hosts music virtually every Friday, and some Saturdays as well. The appeal, apart from the music itself, is the timing of the shows. By staging events during dinner hours (most acts begin around 7:30pm) and turning off the bar televisions, they create a listening room atmosphere. Whereas the majority of local venues cater music to the loud, late-night bar crowd, Original’s offers an alternative: dinner and a show.

As of print time, January shows have yet to be announced, but in December, the lounge will be welcoming the following: Adam Ate the Apple on December 11th, a collaboration between members of Pasty White & Doublewide, Ultravibe, and Laughing Buddha Episodes on December 12th, and a special holiday show with Jackie and Joe from Milkweed on December 18th.

Next time you find yourself in Tioga County with a hankering for pizza, drinks, and tunes, be sure to check out Original’s!

Original Italian Pizza and Restaurant is located at 23 Lake St. in downtown Owego. Original’s Lounge is located right next door at 25 Lake St. For more info on food, shows, and more, check both places out on facebook.