The Option House Tradition Part II

A Bradford History

Restaurant Entrance - Downtown Bradford PA

The year 2008 was one of transformation for The Option House at 41 Main St. This magnificent structure which began as a small wooden building in 1881 for the daily trading of oil options has been a Bradford landmark for over one hundred years. The historical gem was recently purchased and restored by Sam Sylvester for the people of Bradford. Sam had the vision to look past the building’s crumbling interior to see the possibility of bringing back The Option House to its former glory in the community, and he has accomplished just that.

In April 2008, a dedicated crew under the direction of master restorer Rick DeLong began the process. From local bankers to contractors, painters, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, carpet layers, artists and craftsmen, good and talented workers joined the team. For months and months the tremendous undertaking of restoring the old and badly-neglected structure to the charm and elegance of the 1930’s proceeded. Every inch of it, including twenty apartments, bar and restaurant, banquet room, kitchen, cellar, and windows needed attention. The process of repairing, cleaning, painting, and restoring is now complete, and The Option House has opened its doors (restored to emulate the originals). Much of this work was performed by Paint My World and you can see before and after photos of the process.

Visitors are greeted immediately by a beautiful period-designed vestibule, wallpaper, faux painting, and gold stenciling which now covers the once nicotine-stained walls. Softly polished wood has emerged to give beauty to the bar and restaurant walls, and elegant crystal chandeliers provide glowing light throughout the downstairs area.

The visitors have two lovely new restaurants to enjoy. Their décor was inspired by 1937 newspaper articles given to Sam By Alan Gordon. The articles describe the appearance of the restaurants under the ownership of Jimmy Rich. In 1935, he installed the long Flemish oak two-ton Brunswick bar lighted with old English lanterns which still grace the then christened “Chateau Bar” and “Cabaret Restaurant“. It is now called “Trading Room Lounge“. The opposite wall, the centerpiece of which is a stunning fireplace, is adorned with four original wall sconces. The hexagonal tiled floor and the oak wainscoting are original, as well.

In 1937, Jimmy Rich expanded the building by adding thirteen rooms to the rear and opening a nightclub called “Peacock Alley” on the second floor. He fashioned his nightclub after the famous “Peacock Alley” restaurant at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Each section, or parlor, was painted to match the colors of the large peacock which was hand painted on the room’s focus wall. “Peacock Alley” featured three nightly floor shows six nights a week and dancing for the entertainment of its guests. Today’s “Peacock Alley”, now known as “Peacock Parlors”, has been restored in great detail to emulate the 1937 restaurant. The peacock wall painting previously there is now one which has been laser printed onto tiles. The walls of the parlors match the colors originally used and elegant peacock-colored Tiffany light fixtures add to the room’s ambiance. Guests will take the grand marble and carpet staircase through the gilded gold arch into “Peacock Parlors”. A chair lift to the second floor restaurant has been installed at the front entrance stairway. “Peacock Parlors” serves as a formal dining room for individual diners and special events functions. Its elegance is unsurpassed in the region.