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Owner Of Chicago's Oldest Tavern Dies, Leaving Bridgeport and Sox Fans in Mourning

Jack Schaller, the owner of Schaller's Pump, was 92

Jack Schaller
Jack Schaller
Elliott Bambrough/Facebook
Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Over the weekend, Schaller's Pump — the 135-year-old Bridgeport favorite and a special place for many White Sox fans— lost family. Jack Schaller, owner of what's considered Chicago's oldest continuously-running tavern, died on Saturday at age 92, reported the Sun-Times.

Though the bar/restaurant opened in 1881 under a different name, Schaller's father, George, bought the establishment and his son started working there in 1960. A World War II veteran, Schaller stopped drinking two decades ago, according to the Sun-Times.

The family continues to operate the bar, a popular destination for Sox fans before and after games. Funeral services take place on Wednesday with a mass on Thursday.

Schaller's Pump

3714 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 376-6332