Poor Pete's

275 North Virginia Street

Apr 9, 1962 to Oct 30, 1964

Mark Englebretson Grade 2

---

Peter Perenati, a novelty and vending salesman from Sacramento, applied fora gaming license in March 1963. He wanted to invest $50,000 for a 100 percent interest in a casino to be known as Poor Pete's. Perinati, forty three, had leased a concrete block building between the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks and Commercial Row on the west side of Virginia Street. He planned to open his casino in Mid June with one 21 game and 20 slots, and would employ about 25 people. On March 19 the Gaming Control Board recommended denial, without predjudice, because of the casino's location-six feet from the railroad tracks. However, the ruling was overturned at the Board meeting the next day, and the casino opened in August 1963. Peter Perinati died in February 1964. Ronald Darney was granted a temporary gaming license as administrator of Perinati estate. Poor Pete's was closed in October 1964 and reopened in 1965 as the Whistle Stop. In later years the Gem Casino operated at that location for several years. The site of Poor Pete's is now occupied by Fitzgerald's personnel office. According to Dwayne Kling