Does anyone know the history of Community Bakery building, or that area of Main Street
Jeanie O. replied:
How far back. I went to work at Community Bakery in 1968. Ralph Henson owned it. He asked how old I was when I asked for a job. I asked how old I had to be to work there. I think he said 16. I said good that's how old I am. There was a furniture store next door. The Westmorelands owned it. And then a paint store. On the end I think. On the other side was a pool hall, Sings and I go over there and fried rice for Mr Henson. Back then the bakery was at 14 th and Main. I can't remember when it moved to 13 th.
Jerry D. replied:
West Ninth Street, just west of Broadway, was long the hub of the African-American business community in Little Rock. Taborian Hall/Knights of Pythias Lodge hall on Broadway, the Gem Theatre on Ninth west of there, and West Ninth Cab Co. west of that. Tragic episode, but a vastly different time.
Jerry D. replied:
I'd begin by googling www.mosaictemplarscenter.com and www.mosaictemplarspreservation.org/history_ninth/littlerocknexus.com
Rita A. replied:
John Frank you may have lived in my dad apartment building. The drug store was previously named Economy Drug. I remember in 1963-65 a man killing his wife in front of our house on the street. He then shot and killed himself. Happened about 7:30 a.m. My brother was backing out the alley and he was stopped by police and told to lay on ground with his hands in front until he explained he was just going to high school and released. Mr. Henson offered to sell the bakery to my Dad one time but my Dad was not interested. Mr. Henson was a very nice guy.
Jodda M. replied:
Kc, there was this, but I don't know the exact streets or buildings. http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2289