OUR HISTORY
In 1969 Richard Ross, born and raised in the Bronx, opened a bar and restaurant at 92nd and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, NYC. He appropriately named it "HOME" a simple and sweet name that would capture it's relaxed atmosphere perfectly. With food and drinks flowing in a comfortable setting and likeminded people from throughout the boroughs assembling in the space, HOME became a preferred city hang out for the growing hippie crowd of the 1970's.
It also became a favorite for some of the time's most influential minds. Regulars included a long roster of musicians and artists from all over the country and the world, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones as well as New York resident John Lennon. Lennon quickly became good friends with Richard and formed a tight and spiritual relationship that would carry on for over a decade preceding their respective deaths in 1980 and 1984.
The Classic HOME tee was born in 1972 when Richard decided to have shirts with the iconic HOME logo made for his favorite patrons. Later, Lennon helped him design several other variations including "The Solidarity Fist", "The Flower", as well as the "A Moment of Your Life" designs. Richard lovingly gifted these tee's to close friends and family only, and they can still be spotted peppered throughout the media to this day.
Thanks to his nephews David, Nick and Peter Ross, who fought to keep the rights to the iconic logo, Richard's legacy survives through the classic American brand they have built it into today. HOME 1969 is the embodiment of classic American culture. With a timeless aesthetic that spans decades, the brand's influence is subtle yet substantial.
Owners Richard and Cynthia Ross with Shazam and staff, outside original Home Restaurant NYC - circa 1972
In 1969, Bronx born Richard Ross sold his share of the traditional English tavern, The Brown Jug, to open his visionary restaurant appropriately named Home. Inspired by Rock ‘n’Roll, Home was located on the Upper East Side at 91st and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, NYC. Armed with an eclectic Jukebox and a “Natural Menu”, Home was opened to standing room only, quickly becoming a favorite among some of the most “Hip” and influential minds of our lifetime. Home would continue as a top destination in NYC throughout the 1970’s.
Regulars included a long roster of musicians including David Bowie, Elton John, Alice Cooper, Ten Years After, Richie Havens as well as New York resident John Lennon. In 1972 May Pang, who was instrumental in bringing musicians to the restaurant, introduced Lennon to Richard and to Home. The two formed a tight and spiritual relationship that would carry on for over a decade preceding their respective deaths in 1980 and 1984.
The iconic Home logo was conceived and first sketched by Richards wife Cynthia, on the direction that Richard wanted “something unique”. The “Classic” Home T-Shirt was introduced to the world when Lennon wore his shirt on the inside cover of his 1972 album release, “Sometime In New York City.” Lennon would help design other variations including his Black Panther Party supporting "Solidarity Fist", and the "A Moment of Your Life" design. Richard was originally gifted a handful of the very first “A Moment In Your Life” T-shirts by Lennon, who had them privately printed for Richard who was battling cancer at the time.
Thanks to legendary photographer Bob Gruen, Lennon is captured in various Home shirts in some of the most recognized images of Lennon’s New York Years.
Today Home remains Ross family owned and carries on under the Home 1969 moniker. Richards nephew Peter Ross serves as Creative Director, who continues an emphasis of Rock ‘n’ Roll as the roots and aesthetic in which Home was founded under. Home 1969 remains loyal to its past, focused on keeping the future timeless.