We have spent a lot of time recently with the bigger hubs of illegal gambling history, Texas, Illinois, California, etc. I thought a little change of pace was in order. This is one of the smaller research projects we did. We proved a Club name in one try and felt it was enough.

Many cigar stores across the US were retailers for chips. They ordered from the manufactures for customers. It is very hard to prove illegal gambling without the customer's name. When I first saw this ID, my 1st thought was, another dead end. I love surprises!

Cookies Cigar Store
Kenosha, WI
2100 chips – 1956

Frank Tenuta was arrested dealing a poker game at Cookies Cigar store at 2207 56th street in 1947. A gun fight broke out between two players, one was shot 3 times. IMO, here is the best part of the story. The gun fight was over a $3 loan unpaid for several days. Tenuta paid an $89 fine for dealing the game.

1947

The next year Carlos Scota the owner of the store was arrested along with 5 others playing a game of rummy. The players were fined $2 each plus $4.50 court cost. Scota fined $50 and $4.50 cost. Beginning to sound like a rinky dink joint.

1948

Five years later we finally see some action. 24 arrested playing craps, 3 poker tables, sports and horse racing slips.

1953

1953

1953

The articles said several times, the cops were calling this place a "Phoney" Cigar store. I'm guessing they found no cigars for sale,

It looks like the place disappears around 1954 (probably after the raids, arrests and sentencing). It could have been operating in 1956 when the CCS hub chips were delivered, as an unlisted place, but there is someone else in charge at the old Cookie’s Cigar store address in 1956.

Special Thank you to Ed Hertel for the articles.