Panicos "Pete" Kaloghirou
R.I.P.
Doc here with some news that genuinely makes me sad...
My friend Pete Kaloghirou, the former owner of CTs Adult Theater in Gary, IN, passed away on January 30th, 2018 (thanks to V for giving me the head's up on this news today 2/22/18). The past year was hard on Pete, and I'm sure it didn't help in regard to his health.
I first met Pete in 2004, a short time after I moved to The Valley from my old stomping grounds in NY. Upon doing research on adult theaters and ABSs in the Chicagoland area, I found CTs, and decided to drive by and check it out.
I pulled into the gravel parking lot of CTs, just in time to see two guys building what I would soon discover to be one of the 4 video booths that would be installed in the store. I joked with them I should have brought my tools, since I was in the midst moving into the Chez Lizardo at that time. We shared a good laugh, and that was the first time I shook Pete's hand.
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| (The Former) CTs Adult Theater Gary, IN |
During the first few years of stopping by CTs to take in a feature or two, an ever-present fixture at CTs was Pete's dad, who stood (actually sat) sentry by the door, and in very broken English, would tell the person walking in the door fee before saddling up to the counter to pay your admission. Everyone loved Papi. And Papi was very old, and eventually Papi was no longer at the front door.
Papi's passing took a lot out of Pete, and in many ways Pete was never quite the same after that event.
Starting in 2012, and running through early 2017, I was fortunate to host Pete's biggest night of the year at CTs: the annual "Party with Creampie Cathy" event. For 6 consecutive years, on a single night, CTs was the mecca of adult theaters in the US. Having a well-known and awesome porn star in the house was good for (monkey) business, and every year Cathy rocked the old place.
Every year, when wrapping up the Cathy event, I would hug Pete on the way out as a way of saying thanks for providing us a safe space for the event. Last year's hug felt a little different, as there were changes on the way, and this was most likely the last event we'd do there.
And it was. Within 2 months, CTs would be closed for good, a victim of the changing times and a couple of questionable decisions. That last event was also the last time I saw Pete, and the last hug we shared.
Thank you Pete. You provided a place for many to fly their freak flag in a no-frills environment. A place for years was argueably the most hardcore adult theater in the US.
Your place saw many a crazy scene, many of which I'll never forget. Much like yourself, sir. Thank you for everything.
Rest in peace, Pete.
-Doc
PS. I would love to publish a "Best of CTs" series here at The Journal, but I will need your help.
If you have a special or hottest memory of CTs, please submit a report directly to me at emiliolizardo1@gmail.com . I have a bunch, like my first encounter with my good friends Stunt Slut Simone & Mr. S, Red Dawn creating content for her site, the crazy run of Matt & Amy, Friday nights with Cathy the BJ Queen, Robin, Downtown Jewels, Lainey from Texas, the Lovely Tina, and many, many more.
Let's hear your reports, as we tip our hat to Pete. Thanks.
