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| A Letter From Candida
Thank you for helping me celebrate my 30th Anniversary, and thank you for 30 years of memories! I want to thank each and every customer through those years. I was proud, humbled and emotional, having city council, the mayor, and state representative Jennifer Mann recognize this small corner bar at 12th & Chew.
When Georgeanne, Laura and I opened Candida's in 1980, the neighborhood wanted us out. They were hell bent on not having a gay bar here. Things changed for me one day when Louis Belletieri introduced himself to me. He told me to hang in there and fight, because in the 50's the very same neighborhood wanted his family business out because they were Italian.
It's important to point out how much each of you, our customers and friends, made this happen. Because of your continued patronage and good behavior, gay people are not only welcome in our neighborhood, but in every neighborhood.
I want to thank my employees past and present for the great job they did and continue to do.
What a difference 30 years makes. Not only are we accepted, but the month of May 2010 was proclaimed Candida's Appreciation Month by the city of Allentown!
In Claudia Merkle's heartwarming speech she said, "if these walls could talk....."--I believe they would be telling stories filled with laughter, celebration, and some tears as we raised our glasses to those we lost.
So, three decades passed and we're still going strong! For those of you who have not yet been to Candida's, we heartily welcome you to join our family!
I hope you enjoy our pictures from that special day. We have so many pictures (over 800)! So, we will feature 25-30 pictures every few weeks. If you don't see yourself now, you will!
Thank you again!
Candida
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