Gene then leased
the building out to Billy Shea. Shea turned it into the showcase East
and for two years served libations and movies.
In late
November, 1971, a man by the name of Jack Giguere targeted the front of
the Showcase East with his Mercedes-Benz. With a chuckle, Gene called
Jack in his hospital room and joked "that is a hell of a way to knock
the price down!" Gene quickly opted to sell the building to Jack
vs repair his damage, and in late December, 1971, the Pickle Barrel opened
and the rest is rock 'n' roll history....
