EASTHAMPTON — The Pulaski Club, which opened more than a century ago in the city, officially closed to the public on Dec. 22 after being denied a liquor license renewal for unpaid property taxes.
The club, located at 79 Maple St., had operated for some 122 years as a Polish-based pub and entertainment hall, hosting events such as banquets, weddings and even wrestling matches.
An announcement was made on the Pulaski Club’s Facebook page, on Dec. 17, stating the club would be permanently shutting down with its last night of business being Sunday, Dec. 22.
“It’s with heavy hearts & sadness, that our Pulaski Pub (fka The Pulaski Club), will be permanently closing after this coming Sunday night …” the post states. “Coping with this has been difficult, given the fact that the Pulaski has a long history in the City of Easthampton.”
The Pulaski Club’s ownership could not be reached for comment.
According to city tax records, the club has unpaid property taxes dating back to 2024, amounting to approximately $36,000.
On the agenda for the Easthampton Licensing Board’s next meeting on Jan. 6, under the section “Licenses available for Easthampton with City Solicitor guidance” and “All alcohol restaurants,” it states, “Pulaski Club was not renewed for 2026.”
Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby confirmed that at the last Licensing Board meeting on Dec. 9, the Pulaski Club’s liquor license was denied for the next year. He said attached to the license renewal application, it stated the reason for denial was due to unpaid taxes.
Additionally, when applying for a license renewal for 2025, the Pulaski Club did not submit a full application by the state’s required deadline. At the Licensing Board’s Dec. 10, 2024 meeting, while the complete application was submitted for a signature at that time, it was required to be completed by Nov. 30.
Ultimately, the Licensing Board allowed representatives of the Pulaski Club to sign the documents dated Nov. 30, and they were submitted. It was discussed at that meeting that if a situation like his happened again in the future, there would be no exception.
Derby said the Pulaski Club’s building has a lot of potential for use, depending on its future.
“I don’t want to see that space empty because it would be bad for Easthampton,” he said.
In an email to the Gazette, current President of the Chamber of Greater Easthampton, Laurie Lamoureux, said, “It is hard to see these ‘institutions’ close, lots of memories and gatherings for the community were held there. However, times are changing and I hope the space can be repurposed for something that helps continue to bring the community together.”
Candy Laflam was bartending during one of her last shifts at the Pulaski Club on Dec. 22 and confirmed it was closing. Laflam had been employed there for two years and said the Pulaski Club has been one of her favorite places she has worked.
“I had a blast,” she said about her two years.
Laflam said it’s sad to see the club close and after a change in management within the last year, the club was on an “upward spiral,” with many events taking place this summer and planned for 2026.
Ken “Skip” Pepin, 77, got married in the Pulaski Club more than 40 years ago. He was enjoying one of his last nights in his favorite bar that Friday.
“It’s a great place to come and relax,” he said.
Pepin said the club was the last bar in Easthampton where the “working class” could come for a drink after work, saying it has cheaper prices than other places in the city.
“There’s no place for the working class people to go. It’s too bad, really,” he said.