The original coffeehouse was opened in 1965 at 612 1/2 Page Blvd.
in Springfield Massachusetts. It was located in a renovated, below
street level, former neighborhood bowling alley.
The rose colored cinderblock walls lined with original art, the
black ceiling, the gleaming hard wood floors, cabaret seating,
large stage & superb sound system, the massive antique cash
register at the entrance, the immaculate kitchen lined with
coffee urns and espresso machines, the gourmet desserts, and
the signature beverage of the club, 'Red Stuff' are now legend.
It was a first establishment of its kind in Springfield, and caused
some controversy, ( as all pioneering good ideas do ), and had to
overcome a series of code enforcement hassles with the city.
We prevailed, the club became a legendary stop on the northeast
folk performers booking circuit, and the city council went back
to doing what most politicians do best, rather than protecting
the citizenry from folk singers.
The 'we' above refers to the clubs owners, and associates, all of
whom contributed to the many details that are now part of the
Sarp's history . . . Jay 'Bear' Avon, David Boyd, Art Carroll,
Connie & Doug Bradway, Phyllis Grossman, Harriet Golden,
Suzanne Sickler, Rick 'Mouse' Berger, Bob Lee, Dave Mowry,
Mike Fairbanks, Ellie Avon, Eddie Hogan, 'Gus' Gustofson,
and many others.
The Name, 'The Pesky Sarpent' derives from an early American
folk song from 1840's that is reputed to have been originally
penned about two unfortunate lovers who dwelled on Springfield
Mountain. The song has evolved through many verse and title
changes in 200 years. Title variants are: Springfield Mountain,
'The Pesky Sarpent', and, 'Rattlesnake Mountain'.