Sam’s Restaurant, a 94-year-old red-sauce joint in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, was bustling with activity as it was transformed into a replica of an Italian American social club during the Great Depression for the film “The Bride!”. Louis Migliaccio, the proprietor, was on hand to oversee the production, ensuring things ran smoothly and protecting the actors’ privacy as part of the job. Despite being an outlier in the increasingly upscale neighborhood, Sam’s became a popular filming location, attracting casting directors and location scouts.
Even though the film crew had cleared out, Sam’s returned to its regular operations, serving tourists and young transplants who were drawn to the old-school charm of the restaurant. Louis was the only waiter on staff, juggling multiple responsibilities and struggling to keep the business afloat. With the neighborhood changing rapidly and new clientele demanding a different level of service, he found himself feeling like an outsider in his own community.
As Louis reflected on his past and the challenges of running a traditional restaurant in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, he considered his options for the future. Despite being tethered to the restaurant by the income from filming productions, he dreamed of retiring and leaving the business behind. However, with no one to take over the restaurant and mounting debts, he grappled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
The rise of digital editing technology threatened the future of places like Sam’s, as filmmakers could now remove anachronisms in post-production, eliminating the need for perfectly preserved locations. While Sam’s remained a popular shooting spot for now, Louis was aware that the income from filming might not last forever. However, on shoot days, he found a sense of purpose and enjoyment, relishing the chance to be involved in the creative process and interact with the actors.
During the filming of “The Bride!”, Louis couldn’t resist the urge to be more involved in the production. Risking the ire of the crew, he interrupted filming to grab a drink from the fridge, asserting his authority as the true boss of Sam’s. While the kitchen held little interest for him, he found joy and excitement on shoot days, where he could inject his personality into the proceedings and have a bit of fun.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties facing Sam’s and its owner, Louis Migliaccio remained dedicated to preserving the restaurant’s legacy and navigating the changing landscape of its surroundings. As an integral part of the Brooklyn community and a beloved filming location, Sam’s represented a bridge between the past and the present, offering a glimpse into a bygone era while adapting to the demands of the modern world.
