By Garry Blanson
One of the things that makes this week’s article extra intriguing is that it sheds light on two (2) Colored-Owned Businesses that opened after Colored Businessman John Robert Patterson Sr., who owned Patterson’s Million Article Store and Market that was located at North 18th and Grammont Street in Monroe, Louisiana, closed his businesses and moved to New Orleans, around 1930. Although the exact address of his two businesses seem to differ in reports, the thing that’s agreed upon is that it was during “THE GREAT DEPRESSION ERA!” The name of the two new businesses were,”THE DAVIS MARKET, and THE CENTRAL CA’FE.” Both businesses were owned by a young Colored man by the name of T.J. Davis.
Reportedly, T.J. was only 23 years young when he opened his businesses. Another interesting fact is that this was around the time-frame that Maryland Brooks, “THE COLORED CATTLE KING,” owned his meat market on Desiard Street, at Young’s Bayou, and it was also around the time that Abraham Bowie, Sr. owned and operated his restaurant, “Town House,” which was located on Desiard Street. Furthermore, it was close to when “THE HISTORIC MILLER-ROY BUILDING WAS BUILT, BACK IN 1929!” Sadly, very little is known about the owner, T.J. Davis, or the businesses that he owned. However, an online article did say that T.J. Davis was a very forward-thinking individual to even risk such a venture, during such a desperate time in America as well as in Monroe.
By the way, there’s a single picture online of The Davis Market, along with mention of the Central Ca’fe. Also, a man by the name of Henry Washington is listed as being the Manager of the Central Ca’fe. Finally, I found out that during the time that his businesses were around, the one and only, LOUIS “SATCHMO” ARMSTRONG came to Monroe, Louisiana to perform in the “FAMOUS SAVOY ROOM,” which was housed in the Miller-Roy Building that was recently renovated and reopened as an apartment complex in 2023.
Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i
could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with
your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep
updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
I do not even know the way I finished up here, but I assumed this submit used
to be great. I do not recognise who you are but certainly
you are going to a famous blogger should you
aren’t already. Cheers!
These are really great ideas in regarding blogging.
You have touched some nice points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Very good info. Lucky me I ran across your site by accident
(stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!
I am regular reader, how are you everybody?
This paragraph posted at this website is genuinely nice.
Hi, yup this article is truly pleasant and I have learned lot of things
from it about blogging. thanks.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at
work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone
during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you provide
here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic site!