Henry’s Sports and Bait Shop (3130 S. Canal St.), A famous family owned Chicago Fishing and Bait Shop located in Bridgeport will close at the end of the Year. Owners Steve and Tom Palmisano are retiring and will close the family run business started by their father 70 years ago. When the incredible shop closes by the end of the year, there will be only one bait shop in all of Chicago.
How It All Started
After serving in WWII, Henry J. Palmisano opened a watch repair and jewelry store on May 21, 1952. He loved fishing so much that he put on display some fishing items for sale. The rest is history.
The GO-TO Place For Fishing
The bait shop became the go-to place for anything fishing related in Chicago. The Chicago Sun Times often cites their store when reporting on fishing activities on Lake Michigan and they have officiated four standing state records to prove it! One of these catches was a small mouth bass at 7 lbs 3 oz, another a brown trout with an impressive weight of 36 lbs., a tiger muskie weighing 31 lbs. 3oz –and a skipjack.
Video of Chicago’s Best Kids Fishing Derby
Always Helping the Community
Henry’s Sports and Bait Shop is alway helping the community any way they can. Including being a major contributor to the Steve Demitro Kids Fishing Derby run out of McKinley Park. The Steve Demitro Fishing Derby is recognized as Chicago’s Best Kids Fishing Derby. Tom Palmisano will continue to help the highly acclaimed Kids Fishing Derby. (The fishing derby was not run for 2 years because of the pandemic but will be back this fall.). The Palmisano Foundation a 501(c)3 will continue to be active in the community.
Nature Area Named After Palmisano Family
The Palmisano family has done so much for the community and their efforts were recognized with a Nature area being named after them at 2700 S. Halsted in Chicago.
A New School Will Be Built At The Henry’s Location
Pui Tak Christian School has bought a property (3130 S. Canal St) and will be building an impressive school there. The design is being handled by one of Chicago’s premier architecture firms.
All The Best
Tom and Steve Palmisano thank you so much for your years of service to the community. We are truly grateful for all that you have done and we wish you all the best in your retirement.
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