Bill Kain

Bill Kain pic

August 7, 1943 – February 28, 1991

Flint native William James Kain was a school teacher before entering the gay bar business.  Kain worked as a manager at Stober’s Disco in Lansing and Sylvia’s Club Oasis in Flint in the mid-1970s before opening his own Flint bar the Downtowner’s Club, later renamed the Copa.  He died from AIDS-related complications at age 47.

Flint Journal, March 2, 1991

Cruise, March 6, 1991

2 thoughts on “Bill Kain”

  1. Reminiscing a bit and found this. Just wanted to say a big thank you to Bill Kain for opening the Copa. Not sure what my life would be had I not had that refuge. I met my husband of 35 years at the “New” Copa and for that I will be ever grateful.

    Thanks Again

    Eldon

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  2. I met Bill in the year of 1977, or 1978. I was working at the Rustly Nail, and went to the building, the backdoor, and inquired about a job. The buzz was that the business was a disco at night and a lunch during the day. I will never forget when Bill answered the back door that exited to the alley. The smile on his face, and the kindness in eyes. I started as a waitress and immediately moved to the kitchen as the cook. It was straight till eight and then gay all the way. Grace Jones gave a show, very wild night, she climbed up onto the bar and began pushing glass off the rack, and the bartender Gene had to scramble quickly to prevent total chaos.

    I made many close friendships with my coworkers, and Bill promoted a safe and happy work enviroment. Although I seldom visited during the evenings, the day staff was mixed both straight and gay. The dance floor, disco, a Democrat in the Whitehouse, life was decent. I miss Bill, Gene, Ricardo, Little John, Randy, Kathie and others whose name I am unable to recall. Sincerely, Kathleen Bickford

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