Cheers to Mustachio’s!

Once upon a time in Carbon Hill, the corner of 3rd and Lacey showcased Carbon Hill’s hotel with 22 sleeping rooms, a big dining hall, a barbershop and the offices of Big Four coal company and the EJE railroad. This was a bustling center of village activity until 1913 when the hotel burned down.
That corner remained empty until 1937 when a new building called Porky’s La Spagnola was built. Featuring good food, live music and entertainment, customers of all ages welcomed Italian meals, seasonal feeds, traditional bocce, horseshoe and euchre tournaments, and dancing most every night.
A long list of names and faces have come and gone doing business in this familiar building, and licenses were taken out with various business names across the decades. But for the past 10 years we are able to appreciate “Mustachio’s" operating at 3rd and Lacey.
To celebrate this 10- year milestone, owners Steve and Diane Eartly have been selected as Grand Marshals for the annual Carbon Hill Homecoming parade which will be Sunday, June 28 at 1 pm. On Wednesday, June 24 at 6 pm, at the park flagpole they will be presented an award from Mayor Adam Johnson and the village board. A display near the bingo stand will share a bit more of the Mustachio’s story and photos.
Interviewing Steve and Diane revealed a key to their success. It is the two of them working together which makes their business run well.
Steve had just retired in March 10 years ago, likely expecting a real “retirement”, but three months later in June he signed the papers for this new venture. He admits it turned out to be a good decision although far from a retirement.
Asking Steve if there were any surprises, he says with a smile, “yes, how hard it is to run this place.” Steve seems to be always lifting, moving, or fixing something inside or outside.
Diane’s lifetime of experience in the restaurant world (Bates’ Restaurant was her grandma’s place) made this work not such a surprise for her. She is practical, detail oriented, assertive, funny, and was not ready to retire when the offer came 10 years ago. They both say the timing was right and their comments describe a “we, not me” winning combo.
Typical issues with equipment, kitchen space, deliveries, computers (a constant complicating nuisance), or people can become daily nuisances. But their sense of responsibility as well as the sense of gratification which comes from being one’s own boss is evident.
‘We did this, but how in the heck did we do this?’
They mention work crews, loyal customers, their regulars, and a hour enjoying events like Trivia Night which bring balance.
Daughter Katie is usually the Mustachio face behind the bar. She and sister Stacy are the younger members of the Mustachio team. So life at The Stash includes a huge cast of sometimes predictable and often legendary characters who keep the stories flowing and make it real.
Diane admits they go home tired each night but every morning they get up and are ready to do it again.
“We’re not going anywhere,” she said, and they quickly and simultaneously offer a big thank you for being welcomed so warmly into the Carbon Hill community.
As for those of us who frequent their business, the atmosphere is comfortable. Whether old friends or casual acquaintances, from town or from anywhere else, people enjoy being at Mustachio’s. Cheers to fellowship, hard work, and fun times!
For more details on the history of Mustachio’s corner, stop in the Carbon Hill school museum which will be open Saturday, June 27, at 1 p.m. and stay open through the afternoon. We will also open Sunday, June 28 at 11 a.m. before the parade and stay open after the parade. Also on display is the fossil legacy of Tom Testa, who passed away June 25, 2025.
As always your own photos and artifacts of Homecomings past are welcome additions for our displays. For more info, text or call 815-347-0810.