Black Business

Black Business. Creating successful lives in the midst of segregation. , Following Reconstruction, black entrepreneurs established thriving downtown businesses. Bankers, merchants, lawyers and doctors provided almost any product or service needed by residents of the village, black or white. These businesses also helped to create an independent robust black middle class, creating successful lives in the midst of segregation, and Hampton grew as a result of this.

Among the enterprises along Queen Street, as many as half were owned by blacks. There was a similar mix of black and white ownership along King Street to the northern end of town. Among those lining Queen Street were Thomas Harmon's imposing grocery and dry goods emporium, Kate William's dry cleaning, Richard Palmer's dry goods, Walter Hickman's butcher shop and David Pratt's furniture store. Along King Street, one could find other grocers, barbers, and butchers. There were the wood and coal companies of William Nelson and P.J. Taliaferro, the law office of George Field, and the doctor's office of Thomas Addison. Around the corner from King was the weekly Country Journal, edited and published by Sara Banks. There were two black pharmacists, William Parker and Robert S. Boyd Sr. A popular mainstay of the black district was the Lyric Theatre, later replaced by the Basie Theater. They featured black films, singing groups, and bands.

Other businesses could be found in the district: W.T. Anderson Dry Goods Store, Adam Lively Grocery Store, "Shack" Walker's Taxi Cab, Famous Crabcakes, Fred Chisman Confectionary, Henry Holmes Cleaning Store, Shelton Davis Confectionary Store, James Bell Cleaners and Taylor Shop, R and H Filling Station, Yeoman Dining Hall and Barber Shop, Lyles Service Station, Hicks and Wallace Tailoring, Jacob Williams , High Class Tailoring, Merritt Hope, "the Bicycle Man," Owens Blacksmith and Modern Shoe Rebuilder, Spratley Radio and TV Service, Glen's Barber Shop, Fauntleroy's Barber Shop, Willie Morgan Service Garage, and the Savoy Hotel. There were many popular restaurants, including The Manhattan, The Flamingo, The Rush, and The Silver Candle Dinette.