Sam and Rosario Maceo
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Salvatore ("Sam") Maceo and Rosario ("Papa Rose") Maceo Sr. were born in Palermo, Sicily and arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1910. They were barbers who turned to bootlegging during Prohibition and operated the now-vanished Hollywood Dinner Club and the Balinese Room. Both establishments offered food and first-class entertainment.
[edit] Balinese Room History
The Balinese Room was originally opened in 1929 as "The Grotto," one of the many entertainment venues that had begun popping up along the Galveston Seawall. It quickly became an elite spot during the 1940s and 1950s, featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker and wealthy oil barons from nearby Houston.
In 1932, the Grotto was remodeled into a Chinese restaurant called the "Sui Jen" (pronounced Swee Rin), and a 200 foot pier, stretching out over the Gulf, was added to the building with a T-head at its end. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the name was changed to the Balinese Room, and the decor modified accordingly. The pier was also expanded to its current 600-foot length.
[edit] Maceo-Fertitta Business Initiatives
Salvatore "Big Sam" Maceo and his older brother Rosario "Papa Rose" were born in Sicily, but moved to New Orleans with their family in 1901. Eventually they owned a barber shop together in Galveston, and became successful entrepreneurs. Their generosity to local charities endeared them to the community, who viewed them as boosters and benefactors of Galveston.
Rosario Maceo, son of Frank Maceo (one of four brothers), still runs a spice import/export business, Maceo Spice & Import Company, in Galveston.
Olivia Maceo, the sister of Sam and Rose, married Joseph Fertitta, the great grandfather of Tilman Fertitta, president of the Landry's restaurant chain.
Tilman Fertitta began his entrepreneurial career in Houston in the 1970s. He is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO and the largest shareholder of Landry's Restaurants, Inc. Landry's operates more than 300 properties in 36 states and in six countries. Nationwide, Landry's employs more than 38,000 people.
Tilman Fertitta was named one of "12 outstanding Houstonians" in 1986 and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Houston Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1997 and the Legacy Award in 1998. In 2004, Fertitta was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame and was the second youngest inductee. Forbes magazine named Landry's as one of the best companies in America for three consecutive years.
Fertitta is working to bring gambling to Galveston, following the lead of successful similar ventures in states adjoining Texas.
