A concise, attributed timeline

The counter stays.

These milestones are condensed from Red’s own history page, rechecked Oct. 9, 2026; they are presented as the business’s account.

1. 1930s

   The official history says Franco’s Lunch opens on Pier 30 for longshoremen and sailors.

2. 1955

   Tom and Mike McGarvey buy the lunch counter and rename it Red’s Java House.

3. 1984

   A pier fire destroys surrounding buildings; the official account credits fireboat Phoenix with helping Red’s survive.

4. 1990

   Steve and Maria Reilly buy Red’s from the McGarvey brothers.

5. 2009

   Tiffany Pisoni buys Red’s Java House.