1 00:00:00,260 --> 00:00:06,210 okay I think we're ready to go okay so 2 00:00:03,799 --> 00:00:24,510 on behalf of the crossroads to freedom 3 00:00:06,210 --> 00:00:26,609 digital and myself thank you for for the 4 00:00:24,510 --> 00:00:30,090 record could you state your name there's 5 00:00:26,609 --> 00:00:33,300 re Robbins son and what is your current 6 00:00:30,090 --> 00:00:38,100 occupation or Koza come on a restaurant 7 00:00:33,300 --> 00:00:38,100 [Laughter] 8 00:00:39,530 --> 00:00:45,090 where were you born and raised I was 9 00:00:41,910 --> 00:00:56,780 born in Lexington Mississippi brain they 10 00:00:45,090 --> 00:00:56,780 are partially about maybe two miles 11 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:17,400 it's called Scudder field 40 the early 12 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:19,890 forties yes I have great memories and 13 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:21,960 believe it or not as old as I am I have 14 00:01:19,890 --> 00:01:24,150 great memories of my experience in 15 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:26,490 Mississippi and one of one of those one 16 00:01:24,150 --> 00:01:31,110 said I was I was too small to go to work 17 00:01:26,490 --> 00:01:34,140 so I only had fun I just I love to go 18 00:01:31,110 --> 00:01:36,570 back and I enjoy being dining but it was 19 00:01:34,140 --> 00:01:39,630 just so much fun but when I came to 20 00:01:36,570 --> 00:01:45,030 Memphis one of the things I can remember 21 00:01:39,630 --> 00:01:49,229 that again it was fun bike riding and 22 00:01:45,030 --> 00:01:53,009 playing in the front yard and of course 23 00:01:49,229 --> 00:01:56,060 walking two three blocks two three 24 00:01:53,009 --> 00:01:56,060 blocks away from the school 25 00:02:00,299 --> 00:02:07,810 play States play with dolls and all the 26 00:02:05,500 --> 00:02:10,810 games that kids play that was lots of 27 00:02:07,810 --> 00:02:12,849 fun because it was it was definitely a 28 00:02:10,810 --> 00:02:16,510 community type thing it's so different 29 00:02:12,849 --> 00:02:17,800 now but but then it was and and I guess 30 00:02:16,510 --> 00:02:19,720 one of the things that stands out I 31 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:22,930 thought my mother knew everybody on 32 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:25,840 earth because every time I went 33 00:02:22,930 --> 00:02:27,310 somewhere maybe away from home if 34 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:29,530 something happened that she wouldn't 35 00:02:27,310 --> 00:02:32,110 like by the time I got back home she 36 00:02:29,530 --> 00:02:44,880 knew it I don't understand it today 37 00:02:32,110 --> 00:02:47,470 because we had no telephones and 38 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:49,480 everybody was your parents every adult 39 00:02:47,470 --> 00:02:54,150 was your parent you've never challenged 40 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:54,150 and adult not for any reason 41 00:02:54,660 --> 00:03:03,819 actually labels situation marriages they 42 00:03:01,060 --> 00:03:05,920 were allowed to spank you they would 43 00:03:03,819 --> 00:03:09,340 also protect you because I remember one 44 00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:12,070 day I a wasp got down in my sock as I 45 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:13,690 was coming from school and I just 46 00:03:12,070 --> 00:03:15,700 started running and crying and I stopped 47 00:03:13,690 --> 00:03:17,380 at a neighbor's house and and I can 48 00:03:15,700 --> 00:03:19,840 remember today how gently and how 49 00:03:17,380 --> 00:03:21,280 lovingly she took care of me and this 50 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:25,660 was the same name but they were get on 51 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:28,989 me you know but I and she she put snuff 52 00:03:25,660 --> 00:03:31,570 you got the animal out and she put snuff 53 00:03:28,989 --> 00:03:33,609 on that thing on the world she really 54 00:03:31,570 --> 00:03:35,890 did and I just took care of me so 55 00:03:33,609 --> 00:03:37,900 sweetly and lovingly and I must have 56 00:03:35,890 --> 00:03:52,269 been maybe seven or eight years old yeah 57 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:54,250 but I just remember that my mother it 58 00:03:52,269 --> 00:03:56,799 was in the 40s everybody moved to 59 00:03:54,250 --> 00:04:00,639 Memphis at some point in time and it was 60 00:03:56,799 --> 00:04:02,500 called the time of the migration hope 61 00:04:00,639 --> 00:04:04,750 people first came to Memphis and then 62 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:07,630 they migrated to Chicago and other 63 00:04:04,750 --> 00:04:10,420 cities in the country but everybody who 64 00:04:07,630 --> 00:04:12,870 I knew their their desire was to get to 65 00:04:10,420 --> 00:04:15,390 Memphis one of our family member 66 00:04:12,870 --> 00:04:20,510 would move here and everybody who came 67 00:04:15,390 --> 00:04:20,510 afterward would probably stay with a 68 00:04:20,660 --> 00:04:24,870 member that was already here until they 69 00:04:23,190 --> 00:04:27,419 got a job and got able to get themselves 70 00:04:24,870 --> 00:04:29,400 placed respect do you remember what it 71 00:04:27,419 --> 00:04:39,080 was like I mean you said you were pretty 72 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:42,389 young yes now I left all of my buddies 73 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:43,590 and I I can I was lonely well first of 74 00:04:42,389 --> 00:04:46,770 all I'm an only child 75 00:04:43,590 --> 00:04:48,450 and I was lonely for a while because all 76 00:04:46,770 --> 00:04:50,790 of the houses were packed upon each 77 00:04:48,450 --> 00:04:53,220 other everybody lives so close together 78 00:04:50,790 --> 00:04:54,840 there was so much country that bothered 79 00:04:53,220 --> 00:04:56,460 me it really did 80 00:04:54,840 --> 00:05:00,660 because there you know I was used to the 81 00:04:56,460 --> 00:05:17,540 fields and the woods and gravel roads in 82 00:05:00,660 --> 00:05:21,419 the country before in my life but I 83 00:05:17,540 --> 00:05:24,930 enjoyed life you know there was a store 84 00:05:21,419 --> 00:05:27,289 a few blocks away in the country we we 85 00:05:24,930 --> 00:05:29,640 went to the store once a year maybe 86 00:05:27,289 --> 00:05:34,680 everything else came from the fields on 87 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:52,289 the barn you know so other than the 88 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:57,710 concrete that was I was okay yes I do my 89 00:05:52,289 --> 00:06:05,010 mother would take around 10 - and put 90 00:05:57,710 --> 00:06:11,100 charcoal in the bottom of it great the 91 00:06:05,010 --> 00:06:13,200 thing with the barbecue on it me and 92 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:16,100 never barbecued when I was a little girl 93 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,100 never 94 00:06:20,230 --> 00:06:27,930 it was not appropriate and so mom would 95 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:31,900 take that she would do that barbecue 96 00:06:27,930 --> 00:06:34,900 fourth of July especially and I think 97 00:06:31,900 --> 00:06:36,820 maybe on another day or so Labor Day but 98 00:06:34,900 --> 00:06:38,980 definitely on the fourth of July 99 00:06:36,820 --> 00:06:41,010 you got barbecue and got homemade ice 100 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:41,010 cream 101 00:06:48,460 --> 00:06:51,820 that's how that's that's my first memory 102 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,860 of barbecue 103 00:06:51,820 --> 00:06:55,540 I never remember anybody doing any 104 00:06:53,860 --> 00:06:57,550 barbecuing in Mississippi I'm not saying 105 00:06:55,540 --> 00:07:00,340 they didn't do it I just just don't 106 00:06:57,550 --> 00:07:03,430 remember but but my mother did it at our 107 00:07:00,340 --> 00:07:07,290 house and the women at the other and the 108 00:07:03,430 --> 00:07:07,290 neighbors did basically the same thing 109 00:07:08,610 --> 00:07:18,610 the great in the beach I mean the meat 110 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:20,260 on top of the grate and go from there in 111 00:07:18,610 --> 00:07:23,880 making the sauce it was never a big deal 112 00:07:20,260 --> 00:07:23,880 you just did what you wanted to do 113 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:48,850 that's what I mean in Memphis in terms 114 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,590 of restaurants were there a lot of 115 00:07:48,850 --> 00:07:59,230 barbecue restaurants back when you were 116 00:07:50,590 --> 00:08:01,930 growing up remember not a lot a 117 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:06,220 restaurant a barbecue place called Jim's 118 00:08:01,930 --> 00:08:10,090 BBQ over on Thomas Danny Thomas not that 119 00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:11,650 far from where we live and this was not 120 00:08:10,090 --> 00:08:15,430 when I was a little girl this was in 121 00:08:11,650 --> 00:08:18,790 later years when restaurants like the 122 00:08:15,430 --> 00:08:23,410 Harlem house and the little small places 123 00:08:18,790 --> 00:08:26,940 like that started opening up in barbecue 124 00:08:23,410 --> 00:08:33,349 restaurants began to that's 125 00:08:26,940 --> 00:08:36,979 started to dating there were several but 126 00:08:33,349 --> 00:08:40,979 actually I am amazed 127 00:08:36,979 --> 00:08:42,240 I never imagined so many people liked it 128 00:08:40,979 --> 00:08:46,350 so well 129 00:08:42,240 --> 00:09:08,310 I never imagined but then after I became 130 00:08:46,350 --> 00:09:09,810 an adult you know you said when you were 131 00:09:08,310 --> 00:09:11,580 when you're a smaller child there really 132 00:09:09,810 --> 00:09:15,120 were no the restaurants but when you 133 00:09:11,580 --> 00:09:18,240 started maybe in your teens yes yeah in 134 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:21,570 my teens they began to grow you know 135 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:24,390 more and more came into this because I 136 00:09:21,570 --> 00:09:27,000 can remember my husband and well my 137 00:09:24,390 --> 00:09:30,390 boyfriend at that time going on to 138 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:32,040 dinner and eating in co-payments and we 139 00:09:30,390 --> 00:09:34,830 thought that that barbecue was so good 140 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:38,900 and down through the years we decided to 141 00:09:34,830 --> 00:09:38,900 attempt to make ours even better 142 00:09:50,750 --> 00:10:00,720 barbecue just was not that big of a deal 143 00:09:56,310 --> 00:10:02,940 so was it more I mean was it more of a 144 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:06,000 family thing it just wasn't a big deal 145 00:10:02,940 --> 00:10:09,530 at all it it was whenever you whenever 146 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:13,350 you got barbecue you usually got it at a 147 00:10:09,530 --> 00:10:16,920 family of things and then when there was 148 00:10:13,350 --> 00:10:20,280 a restaurant open that sold barbecue 149 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:24,750 where blacks could go which was there 150 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:26,550 were very few then we what do you think 151 00:10:24,750 --> 00:10:27,220 brought about that change that you 152 00:10:26,550 --> 00:10:28,810 mentioned 153 00:10:27,220 --> 00:10:31,689 once you're in your teens there was more 154 00:10:28,810 --> 00:10:34,810 restaurants around folk started making 155 00:10:31,689 --> 00:10:37,899 good barbecue and they realized that it 156 00:10:34,810 --> 00:10:42,610 was sellable that people would come 157 00:10:37,899 --> 00:10:44,139 people were enjoying it and my husband 158 00:10:42,610 --> 00:10:46,540 and I was just talking one day and say 159 00:10:44,139 --> 00:10:50,860 we were beside of it one day we would 160 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:52,600 open a restaurant we didn't like the 161 00:10:50,860 --> 00:10:56,079 barbecue where we were living so we 162 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:58,899 thought but we ought to do was just play 163 00:10:56,079 --> 00:11:02,829 around with it and make something better 164 00:10:58,899 --> 00:11:10,329 than anything we had ever tasted and and 165 00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:12,430 we did and then well I'd like to talk 166 00:11:10,329 --> 00:11:14,589 about the coat cosy corner and opening 167 00:11:12,430 --> 00:11:15,759 because the corner soon but before we 168 00:11:14,589 --> 00:11:19,779 get to that maybe let's talk a little 169 00:11:15,759 --> 00:11:21,220 bit more about about your life okay well 170 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:23,800 where did you go to elementary school 171 00:11:21,220 --> 00:11:27,189 Manassas I went to Vanessa's one through 172 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:29,470 12 you believe that can you believe that 173 00:11:27,189 --> 00:11:32,980 and my daddy boasted that I was never 174 00:11:29,470 --> 00:11:36,300 late not one day I don't remember I 175 00:11:32,980 --> 00:11:42,910 can't that's what my daddy boasted oh 176 00:11:36,300 --> 00:11:44,410 he's never been late well I mean what 177 00:11:42,910 --> 00:11:48,040 was that like going to one school for 178 00:11:44,410 --> 00:11:51,490 your home I guess 179 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:52,660 staying at one school from from first 180 00:11:51,490 --> 00:11:54,189 grade through 12th grade 181 00:11:52,660 --> 00:11:58,120 did you see it change much when you're 182 00:11:54,189 --> 00:12:00,790 there not an awful lot of change but it 183 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:02,439 amazes me now because when my children 184 00:12:00,790 --> 00:12:06,399 started first grade they were entering 185 00:12:02,439 --> 00:12:07,809 their third school and I don't know how 186 00:12:06,399 --> 00:12:11,769 many they went to before it was over 187 00:12:07,809 --> 00:12:14,139 mm-hmm but I just it was just it was 188 00:12:11,769 --> 00:12:17,189 just the norm if you lived in a certain 189 00:12:14,139 --> 00:12:19,540 place you're gonna go to that school and 190 00:12:17,189 --> 00:12:22,329 you were probably going to stay there 191 00:12:19,540 --> 00:12:24,040 until you graduated with their people 192 00:12:22,329 --> 00:12:25,480 did not move about a lot like they 193 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,370 didn't have they did not move from one 194 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,660 residence through the other like they do 195 00:12:27,370 --> 00:12:31,660 now they got a place to stay and they 196 00:12:28,660 --> 00:12:34,870 stayed there for quite a while my mother 197 00:12:31,660 --> 00:12:37,050 and dad moved out of the house we lived 198 00:12:34,870 --> 00:12:37,050 in 199 00:12:39,060 --> 00:12:46,780 so they live there 20-some odd years and 200 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:54,490 then they move to another that was their 201 00:12:46,780 --> 00:13:04,860 first house they bought well do you have 202 00:12:54,490 --> 00:13:04,860 any I can tell you why I was never late 203 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:12,180 they would they would lock all the doors 204 00:13:08,020 --> 00:13:14,560 except one and when you open that door 205 00:13:12,180 --> 00:13:17,920 there would be a chair there and the 206 00:13:14,560 --> 00:13:21,280 principal beside it with the belt he 207 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:23,560 would thank you you have to lay over the 208 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:27,580 chair and get a spanking and there was 209 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:33,790 never any discussion no discussion no 210 00:13:27,580 --> 00:13:46,540 negotiating you got that and I heard 211 00:13:33,790 --> 00:13:49,300 about that there were many and and now 212 00:13:46,540 --> 00:13:50,850 look at what is happening now it's so 213 00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:58,150 totally different from the way it was 214 00:13:50,850 --> 00:14:01,570 then teachers were like parents teacher 215 00:13:58,150 --> 00:14:04,450 was never wrong no matter what the 216 00:14:01,570 --> 00:14:06,640 teacher said it did if your parents had 217 00:14:04,450 --> 00:14:10,020 to come if my parents especially had to 218 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:13,660 come to the school I was in hot water 219 00:14:10,020 --> 00:14:23,950 and this was because I remember some 220 00:14:13,660 --> 00:14:26,260 other children both watch folk teachers 221 00:14:23,950 --> 00:14:27,430 knew the students one of the things 222 00:14:26,260 --> 00:14:31,840 that's one thing that I thought was 223 00:14:27,430 --> 00:14:35,220 great if somebody walked off of the 224 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:38,010 campus or somebody came on it was known 225 00:14:35,220 --> 00:14:40,300 both knew and they were not security 226 00:14:38,010 --> 00:14:45,070 people on the campus they were not 227 00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:47,800 policemen on campus the men and women of 228 00:14:45,070 --> 00:14:50,830 that still police state 229 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:53,170 no stranger came on the campus it just 230 00:14:50,830 --> 00:14:56,200 didn't happen there was no reason for 231 00:14:53,170 --> 00:15:00,550 that and when you left you better be 232 00:14:56,200 --> 00:15:02,170 going home or have a permit a letter 233 00:15:00,550 --> 00:15:05,589 from your parents and a permit to leave 234 00:15:02,170 --> 00:15:07,510 school there was a time when hey some 235 00:15:05,589 --> 00:15:13,000 business to take care of and my mother 236 00:15:07,510 --> 00:15:15,250 sent a note that there was always 237 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:18,040 activities to be a part of from first 238 00:15:15,250 --> 00:15:21,399 grade on there were activities that were 239 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:25,149 handled like just some of these shows 240 00:15:21,399 --> 00:15:27,310 that I see on musicals that I see that's 241 00:15:25,149 --> 00:15:28,930 what that reminds me of when I was in 242 00:15:27,310 --> 00:15:32,700 school because in every grade there was 243 00:15:28,930 --> 00:15:35,829 a great big production in the spring and 244 00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:38,410 dance saying whatever you could do you 245 00:15:35,829 --> 00:15:43,540 did it and if you couldn't do either of 246 00:15:38,410 --> 00:15:46,899 those they would find in it and that to 247 00:15:43,540 --> 00:15:49,450 me was just so exciting and homework so 248 00:15:46,899 --> 00:15:51,670 there was homework there was plenty of 249 00:15:49,450 --> 00:15:54,130 homework but I thank God for that 250 00:15:51,670 --> 00:15:55,000 because everything that happened helped 251 00:15:54,130 --> 00:16:02,410 me along the way 252 00:15:55,000 --> 00:16:06,209 yeah and so after high school yes I I 253 00:16:02,410 --> 00:16:11,070 left high school in Alabama 254 00:16:06,209 --> 00:16:18,850 what was that change like leaving home 255 00:16:11,070 --> 00:16:21,190 and being so far away was moments here 256 00:16:18,850 --> 00:16:24,399 in the frightening I had traveled a lot 257 00:16:21,190 --> 00:16:27,130 coming up but this was going to be for 258 00:16:24,399 --> 00:16:29,589 quite a while I remember one day I went 259 00:16:27,130 --> 00:16:32,829 to the Dean and I said and my mother 260 00:16:29,589 --> 00:16:41,230 needs me I need to go home would it be 261 00:16:32,829 --> 00:16:42,850 all right talk to your mother help her 262 00:16:41,230 --> 00:16:45,329 to get over it she knew who needed to 263 00:16:42,850 --> 00:16:45,329 get over 264 00:16:57,620 --> 00:17:04,170 it was different it was my mother's 265 00:17:01,649 --> 00:17:06,299 first question when I got down ski it 266 00:17:04,170 --> 00:17:09,150 was do you like it 267 00:17:06,299 --> 00:17:10,709 and I thought I'd better say yes how 268 00:17:09,150 --> 00:17:15,510 could I know really know at that point 269 00:17:10,709 --> 00:17:26,689 yeah I saw yes I really didn't so and so 270 00:17:15,510 --> 00:17:29,580 what time period were you at no no no 58 271 00:17:26,689 --> 00:17:32,250 and I guess that there was a lot of 272 00:17:29,580 --> 00:17:35,780 things happening in regarding civil 273 00:17:32,250 --> 00:17:35,780 rights and at that time 274 00:17:56,340 --> 00:18:05,770 when I got to Tuskegee the town the city 275 00:18:01,470 --> 00:18:09,520 was being boycotted by the blacks in in 276 00:18:05,770 --> 00:18:13,150 just kidding but campus had everything 277 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:18,850 on it including a post office that we 278 00:18:13,150 --> 00:18:21,850 need dress shops restaurants so in the 279 00:18:18,850 --> 00:18:25,510 downtown was about a two-year two-mile 280 00:18:21,850 --> 00:18:28,090 walk in a way so we I never went until 281 00:18:25,510 --> 00:18:30,610 just before I left the boycott was 282 00:18:28,090 --> 00:18:33,040 lifted just before I left and I think I 283 00:18:30,610 --> 00:18:35,980 got to go down there once maybe twice to 284 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:37,720 see what downtown looks like but that's 285 00:18:35,980 --> 00:18:53,440 one thing that I can remember is that 286 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:55,810 time no there was there wasn't much 287 00:18:53,440 --> 00:19:03,460 there was none that I could at one time 288 00:18:55,810 --> 00:19:07,960 I can remember that some folk came on 289 00:19:03,460 --> 00:19:17,380 the campus and burned a cross but that's 290 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:18,010 the only incident that occurred I didn't 291 00:19:17,380 --> 00:19:21,730 graduate 292 00:19:18,010 --> 00:19:23,680 I lived in it got married and I'm always 293 00:19:21,730 --> 00:19:27,130 ashamed to say this I left in my junior 294 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:31,840 year and I'm not gonna promise you I 295 00:19:27,130 --> 00:19:34,290 plan to go back and get my degree but I 296 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:40,600 did major in commercial Dietetics and 297 00:19:34,290 --> 00:19:42,610 what I'm working in now commercial 298 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:58,870 Dietetics that's restaurants hotels and 299 00:19:42,610 --> 00:20:01,270 that sort of thing my husband two blocks 300 00:19:58,870 --> 00:20:04,950 down the way over here I live two miles 301 00:20:01,270 --> 00:20:07,500 over that way and we met in high school 302 00:20:04,950 --> 00:20:11,340 well he 303 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:14,879 came from Carnes to bananas in the ninth 304 00:20:11,340 --> 00:20:20,159 grade and he became friends with my 305 00:20:14,879 --> 00:20:22,889 next-door neighbor they were so they 306 00:20:20,159 --> 00:20:25,139 were the same same great when he was one 307 00:20:22,889 --> 00:20:28,889 great higher than that and if he started 308 00:20:25,139 --> 00:20:30,389 coming over and we met then I knew he 309 00:20:28,889 --> 00:20:33,990 was you know playing football his 310 00:20:30,389 --> 00:20:36,899 football player so we met really because 311 00:20:33,990 --> 00:20:40,049 he came over and then because I saw him 312 00:20:36,899 --> 00:20:45,960 everyday coming over to his friends 313 00:20:40,049 --> 00:20:46,740 house who lived next door to me all the 314 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:52,070 time 315 00:20:46,740 --> 00:20:52,070 I was 13 when I first saw him actually 316 00:20:54,169 --> 00:21:04,100 we we got married in 1958 I left school 317 00:21:00,570 --> 00:21:04,100 in 58 and that's when we got married 318 00:21:04,669 --> 00:21:12,179 no I didn't when we got married he was 319 00:21:08,970 --> 00:21:15,269 living in Colorado we both came to 320 00:21:12,179 --> 00:21:19,950 Memphis because I when I came to ski we 321 00:21:15,269 --> 00:21:27,509 came to Memphis and got married what was 322 00:21:19,950 --> 00:21:29,639 that like leaving the south it was a 323 00:21:27,509 --> 00:21:31,139 little different it was a little 324 00:21:29,639 --> 00:21:33,139 different and one of the things that I 325 00:21:31,139 --> 00:21:38,370 remember is when the boycotts began 326 00:21:33,139 --> 00:21:41,070 heavenly in the 60s there wasn't a lot 327 00:21:38,370 --> 00:21:58,049 of boycotting in Colorado 328 00:21:41,070 --> 00:21:58,620 no so it was quite different it was very 329 00:21:58,049 --> 00:22:07,529 different 330 00:21:58,620 --> 00:22:11,879 I took care of babies that we had two 331 00:22:07,529 --> 00:22:15,750 children and I took care of them now I 332 00:22:11,879 --> 00:22:17,820 worked before pregnancy between the 333 00:22:15,750 --> 00:22:19,170 phrase but you know but mostly I stayed 334 00:22:17,820 --> 00:22:21,750 home and took care of them 335 00:22:19,170 --> 00:22:28,350 and at one point we opened the 336 00:22:21,750 --> 00:22:30,540 restaurant out there yes Ray's barbecue 337 00:22:28,350 --> 00:22:33,060 muscle was great and it was called Ray's 338 00:22:30,540 --> 00:22:36,030 barbecue how did how did the Denver 339 00:22:33,060 --> 00:22:39,840 people react it very much like that they 340 00:22:36,030 --> 00:22:42,330 reacted here they loved it and and we 341 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:45,030 did well but we had when we went to 342 00:22:42,330 --> 00:22:47,280 Colorado as a matter of fact before we 343 00:22:45,030 --> 00:22:49,680 were engaged for four years and we 344 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:53,460 decided that we would live in another 345 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:55,200 city and then come back to home and we 346 00:22:53,460 --> 00:22:57,600 knew when we went to Colorado that we 347 00:22:55,200 --> 00:23:01,080 would be coming back home we really did 348 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:02,490 not intend to stay nine years but we got 349 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,110 tied up with the business got tied it 350 00:23:02,490 --> 00:23:06,390 with first one thing then another and 351 00:23:04,110 --> 00:23:17,970 then one day we said hey it's about time 352 00:23:06,390 --> 00:23:21,210 to go home Raymond Otis Robinson boy was 353 00:23:17,970 --> 00:23:28,140 Ray Robert Raymond Robinson Jr our 354 00:23:21,210 --> 00:23:30,270 daughter is Liotta navale her mother was 355 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:33,080 Leola her mother from the husband's 356 00:23:30,270 --> 00:23:33,080 mother is me van 357 00:23:39,930 --> 00:23:57,220 okay I'll speak up okay so so you 358 00:23:54,340 --> 00:23:59,620 returned to Memphis well you had the 359 00:23:57,220 --> 00:24:02,260 restaurant in Denver uh-huh 360 00:23:59,620 --> 00:24:04,930 and what were you involved in the rest 361 00:24:02,260 --> 00:24:06,580 in the rest of not much one of the 362 00:24:04,930 --> 00:24:09,490 things that my husband and I agreed on 363 00:24:06,580 --> 00:24:11,080 prop and we agreed on a lot of things 364 00:24:09,490 --> 00:24:13,240 before we got married and I think that's 365 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:16,690 so very important was that I would not 366 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:19,180 work until after youngest we plan to 367 00:24:16,690 --> 00:24:22,630 have six children until the youngest 368 00:24:19,180 --> 00:24:24,580 child was old enough was latchkey age 369 00:24:22,630 --> 00:24:27,690 old enough to come in from school and 370 00:24:24,580 --> 00:24:31,690 wait till we got there and be safe and 371 00:24:27,690 --> 00:24:34,390 so therefore I think the plan was that I 372 00:24:31,690 --> 00:24:37,690 was not working so that occurred now 373 00:24:34,390 --> 00:24:39,490 after I had two children I said God gave 374 00:24:37,690 --> 00:24:41,200 us a boy and he gave us a girl we don't 375 00:24:39,490 --> 00:24:48,280 need to try anything else girl that's 376 00:24:41,200 --> 00:25:00,610 enough you the one who wanted six 377 00:24:48,280 --> 00:25:02,230 anyways I mean well I guess you'd 378 00:25:00,610 --> 00:25:04,390 probably did you still had family in 379 00:25:02,230 --> 00:25:06,040 Memphis okay see remember 380 00:25:04,390 --> 00:25:09,070 oh no I did not tell you this but we 381 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:11,620 were both only children brothers neither 382 00:25:09,070 --> 00:25:13,990 did I the main reason why we were coming 383 00:25:11,620 --> 00:25:16,540 back was to take care of our parents as 384 00:25:13,990 --> 00:25:23,140 they grew older we did not want cousins 385 00:25:16,540 --> 00:25:25,300 or anyone else to have to do that well 386 00:25:23,140 --> 00:25:27,580 the main thing you know I just like 387 00:25:25,300 --> 00:25:33,220 Memphis I don't care what they do here 388 00:25:27,580 --> 00:25:34,600 I'm like you know we both because we're 389 00:25:33,220 --> 00:25:36,550 on the children were allowed to travel 390 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:40,420 and go different lived in Miami for a 391 00:25:36,550 --> 00:25:43,770 while in Chicago was the place where I 392 00:25:40,420 --> 00:25:43,770 was my summer vacations 393 00:25:46,610 --> 00:25:50,370 there was another city that I went up 394 00:25:48,930 --> 00:25:52,620 there for I can't remember so we're 395 00:25:50,370 --> 00:25:56,850 gonna know it but in a way so I knew 396 00:25:52,620 --> 00:25:59,730 something other than Memphis but Memphis 397 00:25:56,850 --> 00:26:08,640 is my favorite place to be and so was my 398 00:25:59,730 --> 00:26:12,740 husband's it's home that's the main 399 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:15,260 thing it's home every home has problems 400 00:26:12,740 --> 00:26:18,150 but you got to work through them yeah 401 00:26:15,260 --> 00:26:20,130 but it's home it's a good feeling 402 00:26:18,150 --> 00:26:22,440 one of the things that I always missed 403 00:26:20,130 --> 00:26:23,640 when I was out of town going into a 404 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:26,280 grocery store and hearing somebody 405 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:28,050 saying don't I know you and finding out 406 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:32,550 that we went to school together yeah you 407 00:26:28,050 --> 00:26:35,600 know that was a thrill it always happens 408 00:26:32,550 --> 00:26:38,970 and it still happens 409 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:41,010 so that's so the main thing is home 410 00:26:38,970 --> 00:26:43,830 itself isn't it's just a good feeling 411 00:26:41,010 --> 00:26:51,000 yeah and that's what Memphis is to us 412 00:26:43,830 --> 00:26:52,860 it's home we were strangers and so I 413 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:58,070 guess getting back to your return to 414 00:26:52,860 --> 00:27:01,800 Memphis so you came back to Memphis 415 00:26:58,070 --> 00:27:03,690 what would I guess again what was that 416 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:06,150 change like coming back from Colorado to 417 00:27:03,690 --> 00:27:08,370 Memphis was it different or was it kind 418 00:27:06,150 --> 00:27:13,740 of now when you say change do you mean 419 00:27:08,370 --> 00:27:16,160 was it different well just maybe a 420 00:27:13,740 --> 00:27:18,330 better question would be do you have any 421 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:25,560 there was a lot of things happening in 422 00:27:18,330 --> 00:27:27,780 Memphis at that time well because 423 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,800 because it was happening all over the 424 00:27:27,780 --> 00:27:34,050 country yeah 425 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:37,260 so although it wasn't it is they're the 426 00:27:34,050 --> 00:27:39,350 same in Colorado it still existed there 427 00:27:37,260 --> 00:27:42,150 were still problems but they weren't 428 00:27:39,350 --> 00:27:44,100 major you know one of you might have 429 00:27:42,150 --> 00:27:48,980 heard something for one or two people 430 00:27:44,100 --> 00:27:48,980 that really you know Wow but anyway 431 00:27:53,399 --> 00:28:08,190 I'm thinking abut I can't think of what 432 00:27:56,409 --> 00:28:08,190 I need to say about exactly anything or 433 00:28:10,259 --> 00:28:15,580 one of the things that I remember was 434 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:18,730 that before I left there were no 435 00:28:15,580 --> 00:28:21,460 restaurants for us to eat in and when I 436 00:28:18,730 --> 00:28:22,840 got back they had opened Parliament as a 437 00:28:21,460 --> 00:28:25,600 matter of fact no they opened the Harlem 438 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:27,429 houses when I was in high school and the 439 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:30,669 Harlem House we were free to go in and 440 00:28:27,429 --> 00:28:32,559 eat and there were other restaurants and 441 00:28:30,669 --> 00:28:35,649 it opened and a few black folk had begun 442 00:28:32,559 --> 00:28:36,940 to open up restaurants and so when you 443 00:28:35,649 --> 00:28:43,259 went on a date you could go to dinner 444 00:28:36,940 --> 00:28:43,259 and whatever you know movie or whatever 445 00:28:46,049 --> 00:28:52,629 the Harlem House was the restaurant that 446 00:28:48,940 --> 00:28:56,649 was about the size of this area right 447 00:28:52,629 --> 00:29:02,499 here and there was a counter and seats 448 00:28:56,649 --> 00:29:08,109 and they serve hamburgers hot dogs and a 449 00:29:02,499 --> 00:29:13,960 plate we had hot dogs and french fries 450 00:29:08,109 --> 00:29:15,669 and pecan pies and cokes about this much 451 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:21,070 space for the work out work all of that 452 00:29:15,669 --> 00:29:23,710 so in but that was a hangout place they 453 00:29:21,070 --> 00:29:25,539 had a lot of space out front hang out 454 00:29:23,710 --> 00:29:27,639 with your buddies go in there and get 455 00:29:25,539 --> 00:29:31,239 your stuff and go back out us there were 456 00:29:27,639 --> 00:29:36,609 probably maybe seven or eight chairs 457 00:29:31,239 --> 00:29:39,519 sitting and I was oh it was really great 458 00:29:36,609 --> 00:29:41,019 for for me because I cooked at the house 459 00:29:39,519 --> 00:29:43,989 every day I started cooking when I was 460 00:29:41,019 --> 00:29:47,200 eight for the family and I cook but on 461 00:29:43,989 --> 00:29:50,440 Fridays and Saturdays mom would do 462 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:52,239 bring-bring fish even now and then I was 463 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:57,549 cooking but Saturday I could go to a 464 00:29:52,239 --> 00:30:00,460 hollom house and eat and that was great 465 00:29:57,549 --> 00:30:01,720 I was kind of wondering because he said 466 00:30:00,460 --> 00:30:03,100 when you came back there was a lot more 467 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:06,279 restaurants that would serve 468 00:30:03,100 --> 00:30:07,749 african-american uh-huh and then earlier 469 00:30:06,279 --> 00:30:12,700 you're talking about how there weren't a 470 00:30:07,749 --> 00:30:14,320 lot of barbecue restaurants I mean were 471 00:30:12,700 --> 00:30:16,090 there barbecue restaurants in Memphis 472 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:18,100 that would only serve Weiss at the time 473 00:30:16,090 --> 00:30:23,139 when you're growing up or was just not 474 00:30:18,100 --> 00:30:25,899 oh there were barbecue restaurants most 475 00:30:23,139 --> 00:30:27,519 restaurants only certain whites there 476 00:30:25,899 --> 00:30:33,700 were very few restaurants that we could 477 00:30:27,519 --> 00:30:37,059 go to or if we could we'd go through the 478 00:30:33,700 --> 00:30:53,739 back door I would be handed out of the 479 00:30:37,059 --> 00:30:58,779 window but to go in and sit when when 480 00:30:53,739 --> 00:31:01,419 did that I guess when did the idea well 481 00:30:58,779 --> 00:31:02,980 when we left Denver the close we knew 482 00:31:01,419 --> 00:31:04,960 that we were eventually open here but we 483 00:31:02,980 --> 00:31:07,239 just didn't know when we had to get some 484 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:12,840 things settled here so he took another 485 00:31:07,239 --> 00:31:15,809 job and by I guess we've been here three 486 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:18,489 or four years then I started dropping 487 00:31:15,809 --> 00:31:20,619 and because if the children were big 488 00:31:18,489 --> 00:31:22,419 enough to take care of themselves go 489 00:31:20,619 --> 00:31:26,950 home and unlock the door and then wait 490 00:31:22,419 --> 00:31:34,440 until one of us gasping yeah so I went 491 00:31:26,950 --> 00:31:34,440 to work sick in 1969 we came home in 66 492 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:50,499 we finally opened this restaurant in 493 00:31:47,039 --> 00:31:53,649 1977 okay he worked he he had several 494 00:31:50,499 --> 00:31:57,460 jobs before he before we found a place 495 00:31:53,649 --> 00:31:59,350 we were looking for a place and we 496 00:31:57,460 --> 00:32:01,690 really had a hard time finding the a 497 00:31:59,350 --> 00:32:03,460 restaurant that we wanted to to use and 498 00:32:01,690 --> 00:32:05,950 what really sold this one was the pit 499 00:32:03,460 --> 00:32:06,999 was already there you know and that was 500 00:32:05,950 --> 00:32:09,390 the best thing that could have happened 501 00:32:06,999 --> 00:32:12,770 to us because we wanted a certain 502 00:32:09,390 --> 00:32:16,020 yes what restaurant was here before I 503 00:32:12,770 --> 00:32:19,200 have no idea I only know that it had 504 00:32:16,020 --> 00:32:22,320 been closed mm-hmm and the guy we rented 505 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:23,850 this from told us you can have this I'll 506 00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:25,980 rent it to you but you can't make any 507 00:32:23,850 --> 00:32:28,380 money here because the guy who was 508 00:32:25,980 --> 00:32:32,190 really good was here and he couldn't do 509 00:32:28,380 --> 00:32:34,559 a thing with the restaurant with the 510 00:32:32,190 --> 00:32:37,080 business so maybe it's barbecue wasn't 511 00:32:34,559 --> 00:32:43,770 good I don't know I don't even know he 512 00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:46,110 was but I know now it's 32 years old 513 00:32:43,770 --> 00:32:48,720 because we've been here 32 years but it 514 00:32:46,110 --> 00:32:50,010 was here and it was season and that was 515 00:32:48,720 --> 00:32:51,690 the best thing that could happen to us 516 00:32:50,010 --> 00:32:53,370 so somebody ain't been trying to cook on 517 00:32:51,690 --> 00:32:54,570 it but in the meantime they were 518 00:32:53,370 --> 00:33:13,770 seasoning it for us 519 00:32:54,570 --> 00:33:16,830 yeah a new pit then have flavor oh there 520 00:33:13,770 --> 00:33:19,410 was a big progress store across the 521 00:33:16,830 --> 00:33:21,840 street very big Kroger store and there 522 00:33:19,410 --> 00:33:25,950 was few stores in front of it and down 523 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:28,400 this area there was some beauty shop 524 00:33:25,950 --> 00:33:28,400 next door 525 00:33:28,790 --> 00:33:37,500 Wolffe camera shop was on the end bills 526 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:39,419 Twilight was next door to that general 527 00:33:37,500 --> 00:33:41,390 dollar generals next door today 528 00:33:39,419 --> 00:33:47,370 those are the businesses in this block 529 00:33:41,390 --> 00:33:49,200 so business was booming and people 530 00:33:47,370 --> 00:33:50,940 across the street those who usually 531 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:53,070 older people who live up there because 532 00:33:50,940 --> 00:33:58,440 masters would do something special for 533 00:33:53,070 --> 00:33:59,820 them every Christmas good yield was 534 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:02,370 directly in front of us across the 535 00:33:59,820 --> 00:34:04,669 street I forgot about good year but they 536 00:34:02,370 --> 00:34:04,669 were they 537 00:34:06,010 --> 00:34:14,720 things are great have you seen the 538 00:34:09,650 --> 00:34:17,600 community change yes'm endlessly you 539 00:34:14,720 --> 00:34:29,240 know hurt village was over that way and 540 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:31,700 it's totally gone in come st. June the 541 00:34:29,240 --> 00:34:32,150 name of the street has changed what was 542 00:34:31,700 --> 00:34:36,140 it 543 00:34:32,150 --> 00:34:40,730 no not this is it North Parkway but now 544 00:34:36,140 --> 00:34:43,010 this one was after they at the things 545 00:34:40,730 --> 00:34:47,870 you came to they've changed shape yeah 546 00:34:43,010 --> 00:34:52,970 the name of the CEO and now you know 547 00:34:47,870 --> 00:34:55,910 it's going straight out its they closed 548 00:34:52,970 --> 00:35:01,490 that down right they closed that Street 549 00:34:55,910 --> 00:35:19,100 down and it's been changed now I think 550 00:35:01,490 --> 00:35:25,460 Willis were you gonna say I forgot about 551 00:35:19,100 --> 00:35:28,790 the rule that the children are up yeah 552 00:35:25,460 --> 00:35:30,650 yeah the children were up in able to you 553 00:35:28,790 --> 00:35:34,340 know he didn't take care of themselves 554 00:35:30,650 --> 00:35:40,000 when my when we opened this restaurant I 555 00:35:34,340 --> 00:35:46,940 was working a bell sound now 18 t I 556 00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:49,580 stayed there until I retired in 1991 he 557 00:35:46,940 --> 00:35:52,370 and the children ran the restaurant I 558 00:35:49,580 --> 00:35:54,530 actually never worked in here until he 559 00:35:52,370 --> 00:35:58,670 died because I came in to support the 560 00:35:54,530 --> 00:36:00,440 children and I liked it so well and I 561 00:35:58,670 --> 00:36:03,380 decided to stay and work with them a 562 00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:06,980 little time did you spend a lot of time 563 00:36:03,380 --> 00:36:09,170 I mean when the window before I came 564 00:36:06,980 --> 00:36:12,500 before he died yes no I didn't I would 565 00:36:09,170 --> 00:36:15,079 come for lunch just like you were most 566 00:36:12,500 --> 00:36:17,630 folks are amazed when they realize that 567 00:36:15,079 --> 00:36:20,359 I'm his wife because they did not know 568 00:36:17,630 --> 00:36:22,430 they thought his cousin was his wife his 569 00:36:20,359 --> 00:36:25,490 mother would sit over there they thought 570 00:36:22,430 --> 00:36:27,799 his mother was his wife customers come 571 00:36:25,490 --> 00:36:28,490 in in this woman I knew the whole family 572 00:36:27,799 --> 00:36:39,910 I knew his wife 573 00:36:28,490 --> 00:36:42,910 I knew his children the to bone rib 574 00:36:39,910 --> 00:36:42,910 dinner 575 00:36:44,049 --> 00:36:54,289 yeah because see they come for lunch and 576 00:36:47,630 --> 00:36:57,039 I only wanted two bones is that is that 577 00:36:54,289 --> 00:36:59,539 your favorite what's your favorite dish 578 00:36:57,039 --> 00:37:01,789 it depends on what day it is and what I 579 00:36:59,539 --> 00:37:04,640 eat yesterday you know Phaedra's 580 00:37:01,789 --> 00:37:06,619 yesterday I really love the no ribs man 581 00:37:04,640 --> 00:37:11,529 I think you know why I say really 582 00:37:06,619 --> 00:37:11,529 because every day I eat want one really 583 00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:19,670 the whole slab I have that one to look 584 00:37:17,779 --> 00:37:24,339 forward to I my tea I like the Cornish 585 00:37:19,670 --> 00:37:26,900 eat a lot yeah how would you describe 586 00:37:24,339 --> 00:37:29,089 you know I've heard lots of other people 587 00:37:26,900 --> 00:37:32,240 describe how cozy corner barbecue tastes 588 00:37:29,089 --> 00:37:36,079 how would you describe the taste I think 589 00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:39,589 I think it's awesome I really do we we 590 00:37:36,079 --> 00:37:43,690 both worked on the recipes we worked on 591 00:37:39,589 --> 00:37:46,430 putting it together for a long time and 592 00:37:43,690 --> 00:37:49,940 we really never thought that it was good 593 00:37:46,430 --> 00:37:52,390 as as even I think it is now but people 594 00:37:49,940 --> 00:37:55,789 our friends kept telling us you know 595 00:37:52,390 --> 00:37:57,289 it's different it's different and when 596 00:37:55,789 --> 00:38:03,500 we were putting the sauces and stuff 597 00:37:57,289 --> 00:38:04,910 together we would put this in and say 598 00:38:03,500 --> 00:38:06,440 what are you thinking I was saying it'll 599 00:38:04,910 --> 00:38:09,500 be fine but let's put a little fat in it 600 00:38:06,440 --> 00:38:12,200 and you tell me what you think and then 601 00:38:09,500 --> 00:38:14,119 we would you know put it together and 602 00:38:12,200 --> 00:38:15,430 then somebody would taste it they would 603 00:38:14,119 --> 00:38:18,720 say wow 604 00:38:15,430 --> 00:38:26,740 I think I really think that it's good 605 00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:28,779 really good what um what do you think I 606 00:38:26,740 --> 00:38:38,589 mean what makes it so different what 607 00:38:28,779 --> 00:38:40,960 about the pace I guess you know if you 608 00:38:38,589 --> 00:38:50,859 had if someone had never tasted the 609 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:53,890 quarter barbecue what I think about 610 00:38:50,859 --> 00:38:57,700 taste I do want to say this it's all 611 00:38:53,890 --> 00:39:01,240 about taste that's all it's about its 612 00:38:57,700 --> 00:39:01,960 taste what I want to go see some this is 613 00:39:01,240 --> 00:39:06,099 fried chicken 614 00:39:01,960 --> 00:39:11,349 now nobody else's will do you know what 615 00:39:06,099 --> 00:39:14,049 about that well nobody else's will do 616 00:39:11,349 --> 00:39:16,029 why because you want that taste right 617 00:39:14,049 --> 00:39:17,859 whatever it is they got in it you want 618 00:39:16,029 --> 00:39:19,539 that taste somebody told me they had 619 00:39:17,859 --> 00:39:21,430 this in it and I don't care what they 620 00:39:19,539 --> 00:39:22,779 got in long as they keep making it and 621 00:39:21,430 --> 00:39:25,480 then somebody came in the other day and 622 00:39:22,779 --> 00:39:27,279 said I saw where they had ranch dressing 623 00:39:25,480 --> 00:39:28,599 in it I don't care what they got it just 624 00:39:27,279 --> 00:39:32,289 let them keep making it 625 00:39:28,599 --> 00:39:34,180 I love Gus's fried chicken yeah and I 626 00:39:32,289 --> 00:39:38,470 feel like other people are the same way 627 00:39:34,180 --> 00:39:43,210 you might go to another restaurant and 628 00:39:38,470 --> 00:39:45,190 get us a pork sandwich but when you want 629 00:39:43,210 --> 00:39:47,019 ribs you want the taste that we do it's 630 00:39:45,190 --> 00:39:50,440 all about the taste you want the taste 631 00:39:47,019 --> 00:39:53,019 that we provide that it's about the 632 00:39:50,440 --> 00:39:56,890 taste it's as simple as that 633 00:39:53,019 --> 00:40:00,759 when I want to McDonald's hamburger 634 00:39:56,890 --> 00:40:03,160 Burger King won't do yeah I want that 635 00:40:00,759 --> 00:40:05,380 chase that's why I go to a restaurant 636 00:40:03,160 --> 00:40:07,950 and I like to go to all of them and 637 00:40:05,380 --> 00:40:11,739 guess what I eat ribs when I go to 638 00:40:07,950 --> 00:40:21,609 Friday's TGI Fridays ribs with that that 639 00:40:11,739 --> 00:40:24,489 Jack Daniels sauce on it is good and I 640 00:40:21,609 --> 00:40:27,190 eat anywhere I go and they've got 641 00:40:24,489 --> 00:40:28,640 barbecue I'll taste it I just want to 642 00:40:27,190 --> 00:40:30,530 see what they're doing with it 643 00:40:28,640 --> 00:40:33,710 yeah I taste it bring me some of that 644 00:40:30,530 --> 00:40:36,770 I'll get it as a side dish or as a main 645 00:40:33,710 --> 00:40:42,910 dish I guess I like it and I like other 646 00:40:36,770 --> 00:40:46,010 people's cooking I know I'm the greatest 647 00:40:42,910 --> 00:40:48,740 great I already know that so it's 648 00:40:46,010 --> 00:41:01,340 alright I wouldn't care if a barbecue 649 00:40:48,740 --> 00:41:04,340 place with next door to us but but going 650 00:41:01,340 --> 00:41:05,780 back to to this restaurant you know I 651 00:41:04,340 --> 00:41:16,160 guess y'all have been in the community 652 00:41:05,780 --> 00:41:18,050 almost 32 issue okay edited what kind of 653 00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:20,930 role do you think this restaurant plays 654 00:41:18,050 --> 00:41:25,730 plays in the Memphis community or this 655 00:41:20,930 --> 00:41:28,750 community well I certainly would like to 656 00:41:25,730 --> 00:41:31,850 think it plays a positive role because 657 00:41:28,750 --> 00:41:36,590 Memphis has been great to us you know 658 00:41:31,850 --> 00:41:39,410 people coming in and buying and from all 659 00:41:36,590 --> 00:41:41,600 over from everywhere in the area from 660 00:41:39,410 --> 00:41:44,620 Arkansas folk coming from 661 00:41:41,600 --> 00:41:47,180 colley-urquhart Dover Germantown 662 00:41:44,620 --> 00:41:49,130 Mississippi and usually if they've come 663 00:41:47,180 --> 00:41:51,050 for lunch especially that far there so 664 00:41:49,130 --> 00:41:53,360 you know I came along and I I'm always 665 00:41:51,050 --> 00:41:54,680 grateful too because it's just a 666 00:41:53,360 --> 00:41:57,950 wonderful thing that they were there to 667 00:41:54,680 --> 00:41:59,630 come but it's about the taste it's the 668 00:41:57,950 --> 00:42:08,690 taste that they want I know cuz that's 669 00:41:59,630 --> 00:42:10,430 what I want when I go to this bar you've 670 00:42:08,690 --> 00:42:14,690 always seemed to have a very diverse 671 00:42:10,430 --> 00:42:15,650 crowd of different different people who 672 00:42:14,690 --> 00:42:24,740 look like they're from different 673 00:42:15,650 --> 00:42:26,980 professions and different races from day 674 00:42:24,740 --> 00:42:26,980 one 675 00:42:30,170 --> 00:42:42,210 yes I that's just maybe let's just for a 676 00:42:40,410 --> 00:42:43,319 minute I know we've been talking for a 677 00:42:42,210 --> 00:42:46,940 while so I don't want to keep you too 678 00:42:43,319 --> 00:42:49,619 much longer but let's talk about 679 00:42:46,940 --> 00:42:52,499 barbecue in Memphis as a whole what why 680 00:42:49,619 --> 00:42:55,109 do you think why is barbecue so 681 00:42:52,499 --> 00:42:58,039 important in Memphis you know as I think 682 00:42:55,109 --> 00:43:01,410 back I remember when the chicken 683 00:42:58,039 --> 00:43:02,969 industry bombarded Memphis and they 684 00:43:01,410 --> 00:43:04,859 probably all over the country here 685 00:43:02,969 --> 00:43:07,589 seeing all of those people 686 00:43:04,859 --> 00:43:10,109 I remember hearing something matter say 687 00:43:07,589 --> 00:43:11,999 one time that this chicken thing that we 688 00:43:10,109 --> 00:43:14,190 got going on in Memphis aroma gonna last 689 00:43:11,999 --> 00:43:16,349 about 10 years and then we'll be doing 690 00:43:14,190 --> 00:43:18,779 something else and I think something or 691 00:43:16,349 --> 00:43:21,509 of course that's not that's not true you 692 00:43:18,779 --> 00:43:24,509 know that it's like it's still here we 693 00:43:21,509 --> 00:43:26,999 still like the fried chicken but I think 694 00:43:24,509 --> 00:43:31,499 it was a similar thing it's something 695 00:43:26,999 --> 00:43:34,380 that came decided this is nice let's go 696 00:43:31,499 --> 00:43:39,539 with this let's let's have adding 697 00:43:34,380 --> 00:43:42,450 something to the menu you know you know 698 00:43:39,539 --> 00:43:44,249 fish once a week all my life we ate fish 699 00:43:42,450 --> 00:43:47,219 once a week and I know bad as Catholic 700 00:43:44,249 --> 00:43:49,289 in my family but we all ate fish once a 701 00:43:47,219 --> 00:43:51,749 week and I think it's just the thing 702 00:43:49,289 --> 00:43:53,749 that people decide and then a few came 703 00:43:51,749 --> 00:43:56,430 along and made the barbecue taste good 704 00:43:53,749 --> 00:44:01,829 Culpepper's was awesome it was very good 705 00:43:56,430 --> 00:44:04,190 and in and I think that down through the 706 00:44:01,829 --> 00:44:07,079 years it got better and better and 707 00:44:04,190 --> 00:44:11,339 people ate more and more and they enjoy 708 00:44:07,079 --> 00:44:13,589 it it's the and you know people love to 709 00:44:11,339 --> 00:44:15,119 eat do you know you change the nose on 710 00:44:13,589 --> 00:44:23,069 your face before you change your eating 711 00:44:15,119 --> 00:44:27,869 habits you know when I said change I 712 00:44:23,069 --> 00:44:29,249 mean just go in and just give up what 713 00:44:27,869 --> 00:44:32,039 you give up I'm not saying you won't 714 00:44:29,249 --> 00:44:36,510 take in new stuff but to give up what 715 00:44:32,039 --> 00:44:41,220 you what you really like and enjoy yeah 716 00:44:36,510 --> 00:44:43,829 you're gonna stick with it do you I mean 717 00:44:41,220 --> 00:44:45,390 in my research about this project I've 718 00:44:43,829 --> 00:44:48,810 been I've been living in Memphis for 719 00:44:45,390 --> 00:44:50,880 four years but I never quite grasped how 720 00:44:48,810 --> 00:44:53,430 many different barbecue restaurants 721 00:44:50,880 --> 00:44:55,890 there really are like I knew I'm I knew 722 00:44:53,430 --> 00:44:57,990 about the big ones a restaurant and some 723 00:44:55,890 --> 00:45:00,320 of the others you call out the big ones 724 00:44:57,990 --> 00:45:04,349 [Laughter] 725 00:45:00,320 --> 00:45:05,700 okay but I mean there's just so many do 726 00:45:04,349 --> 00:45:06,930 you think that's a that's a good thing 727 00:45:05,700 --> 00:45:09,990 that there's so many barbecue 728 00:45:06,930 --> 00:45:10,800 restaurants in the barbecue you don't 729 00:45:09,990 --> 00:45:14,220 have to go far 730 00:45:10,800 --> 00:45:27,230 yeah cuz everybody's got something good 731 00:45:14,220 --> 00:45:32,040 on the menu tops so they say well maybe 732 00:45:27,230 --> 00:45:34,320 there's a question what was it like 733 00:45:32,040 --> 00:45:40,260 going from you but you said you were you 734 00:45:34,320 --> 00:45:43,589 were working for BellSouth I worked in 735 00:45:40,260 --> 00:45:45,839 several positions I started as direct 736 00:45:43,589 --> 00:45:47,430 assistance operator went from there to 737 00:45:45,839 --> 00:45:50,490 service rep went from there to 738 00:45:47,430 --> 00:45:52,670 first-line management and that's hot 739 00:45:50,490 --> 00:45:54,569 that's where I retired in service reps 740 00:45:52,670 --> 00:45:57,599 you know the direct assistance 741 00:45:54,569 --> 00:45:59,160 information service reps the best in the 742 00:45:57,599 --> 00:46:01,770 business office handling bills and 743 00:45:59,160 --> 00:46:05,550 selling it that sort of thing and when I 744 00:46:01,770 --> 00:46:11,250 became management had people service 745 00:46:05,550 --> 00:46:16,020 reps working for me was it much of a 746 00:46:11,250 --> 00:46:19,380 shift coming from from BellSouth well I 747 00:46:16,020 --> 00:46:21,450 was retired 10 years before I came so so 748 00:46:19,380 --> 00:46:24,210 because I came when my husband died 749 00:46:21,450 --> 00:46:37,500 because the children were we're running 750 00:46:24,210 --> 00:46:38,790 about two children life now they my 751 00:46:37,500 --> 00:46:41,310 grant all of my grandchildren have 752 00:46:38,790 --> 00:46:43,700 graduated from college and they are here 753 00:46:41,310 --> 00:46:46,890 in Memphis one is a third-generation 754 00:46:43,700 --> 00:46:48,720 pitmaster over there and it's just the 755 00:46:46,890 --> 00:46:50,100 light to get up every morning 756 00:46:48,720 --> 00:46:52,980 and know that you're going to spend the 757 00:46:50,100 --> 00:46:54,690 day with your family you know and and we 758 00:46:52,980 --> 00:46:59,160 get along well and that's that's a 759 00:46:54,690 --> 00:47:00,870 blessing very much involved uh-huh at 760 00:46:59,160 --> 00:47:03,780 one time it was mostly family working 761 00:47:00,870 --> 00:47:06,600 here cousins and that sort of thing we 762 00:47:03,780 --> 00:47:17,970 still have have relatives working other 763 00:47:06,600 --> 00:47:30,240 than my grandchildren and those who used 764 00:47:17,970 --> 00:47:35,100 to work in one of my cousins want to eat 765 00:47:30,240 --> 00:47:36,660 just like everybody that walks in who 766 00:47:35,100 --> 00:47:38,720 has worked here before some of our 767 00:47:36,660 --> 00:47:41,070 relatives and we're busy 768 00:47:38,720 --> 00:47:43,380 well they rich the truth of this matter 769 00:47:41,070 --> 00:47:45,090 is they'll get a town go to cleaning 770 00:47:43,380 --> 00:47:49,250 tables they really do it and she was 771 00:47:45,090 --> 00:47:49,250 just joking she loves every minute of it 772 00:47:50,930 --> 00:47:55,590 because even people who are not in our 773 00:47:53,220 --> 00:47:57,840 family many people ask me if the boys 774 00:47:55,590 --> 00:47:59,040 behind the counter family members I said 775 00:47:57,840 --> 00:48:01,020 no but they think they are 776 00:47:59,040 --> 00:48:05,130 most of them call me either mama or 777 00:48:01,020 --> 00:48:07,710 grandmama and they are very you know 778 00:48:05,130 --> 00:48:10,830 they eat out we go out we they go with 779 00:48:07,710 --> 00:48:13,110 us meet us and go with us and so it's 780 00:48:10,830 --> 00:48:16,220 really a family affair people who come 781 00:48:13,110 --> 00:48:16,220 to work here become family 782 00:48:19,440 --> 00:48:23,730 what is it like I mean typically when 783 00:48:21,780 --> 00:48:25,140 people think of barbecue they're 784 00:48:23,730 --> 00:48:27,599 probably wrong about this but I would 785 00:48:25,140 --> 00:48:30,750 say typically people think of men doing 786 00:48:27,599 --> 00:48:34,200 barbecue these days I mean is that have 787 00:48:30,750 --> 00:48:37,410 you what is it like as a woman running a 788 00:48:34,200 --> 00:48:38,880 barbecue restaurant or do you think the 789 00:48:37,410 --> 00:48:41,190 experience has been any different for 790 00:48:38,880 --> 00:48:43,829 you because of your gender or it's 791 00:48:41,190 --> 00:48:45,539 unusual mr. Kelly 792 00:48:43,829 --> 00:48:47,819 well he'll came in order nautical on 793 00:48:45,539 --> 00:48:50,579 women and barbecue and I was a part of 794 00:48:47,819 --> 00:48:53,339 it and it's different 795 00:48:50,579 --> 00:48:58,170 simply because polka not used to sing it 796 00:48:53,339 --> 00:49:00,900 but in the house at home you know as I 797 00:48:58,170 --> 00:49:02,789 said in the barbecuing that I knew about 798 00:49:00,900 --> 00:49:06,109 my mother taught me because I you know 799 00:49:02,789 --> 00:49:08,250 saw her doing and of course studying 800 00:49:06,109 --> 00:49:15,119 commercial Dietetics at Tuskegee I 801 00:49:08,250 --> 00:49:16,650 learned a lot it's different but I can 802 00:49:15,119 --> 00:49:19,289 almost remember the day when I heard 803 00:49:16,650 --> 00:49:25,589 somebody say my husband's gonna be 804 00:49:19,289 --> 00:49:27,539 grilling you know really and then 805 00:49:25,589 --> 00:49:28,500 everybody's husband was grilling on the 806 00:49:27,539 --> 00:49:32,910 weekend you know 807 00:49:28,500 --> 00:49:35,069 and so then women coming but did the 808 00:49:32,910 --> 00:49:38,160 potato salad and the slaw and whatever 809 00:49:35,069 --> 00:49:42,359 else for the meal but it's it's 810 00:49:38,160 --> 00:49:44,309 different but it's alright when when 811 00:49:42,359 --> 00:49:47,670 when I went to the pit when I first came 812 00:49:44,309 --> 00:49:50,730 and we had a cook but I was the second 813 00:49:47,670 --> 00:49:52,890 cook and people will come in and see me 814 00:49:50,730 --> 00:49:54,089 look and they'd say at the barbecue pit 815 00:49:52,890 --> 00:50:00,720 they said do you know what you're doing 816 00:49:54,089 --> 00:50:05,960 I get it right you know they just didn't 817 00:50:00,720 --> 00:50:14,010 know yeah go around in a circle 818 00:50:05,960 --> 00:50:15,630 back-to-back two women probably was 819 00:50:14,010 --> 00:50:17,369 great as a matter of fact the house that 820 00:50:15,630 --> 00:50:19,589 we bought over here not far from here 821 00:50:17,369 --> 00:50:23,400 he has a great big beautiful and this 822 00:50:19,589 --> 00:50:25,230 was 437 almost 40 years ago there was a 823 00:50:23,400 --> 00:50:28,520 great big beautiful pit in the backyard 824 00:50:25,230 --> 00:50:32,089 everybody say we bought the house alone 825 00:50:28,520 --> 00:50:32,089 just because it has 826 00:50:33,900 --> 00:50:38,380 you know while we're talking like I said 827 00:50:37,120 --> 00:50:40,660 I don't want to take up too much more 828 00:50:38,380 --> 00:50:47,080 time but what what memories do you have 829 00:50:40,660 --> 00:50:52,120 of your husband I mean that's a pretty 830 00:50:47,080 --> 00:50:56,730 broad question but I can't okay okay see 831 00:50:52,120 --> 00:51:03,120 we dated okay I met him when I was 13 832 00:50:56,730 --> 00:51:05,610 and I I don't we kind of we kind of 833 00:51:03,120 --> 00:51:08,020 harassed each other for the first year 834 00:51:05,610 --> 00:51:09,490 he would go over his friends house and 835 00:51:08,020 --> 00:51:11,830 called me up on the phone and tell me 836 00:51:09,490 --> 00:51:13,780 about this boyfriend where do you find 837 00:51:11,830 --> 00:51:15,310 these stupid boys you think you know I 838 00:51:13,780 --> 00:51:16,780 said why would you be calling the 839 00:51:15,310 --> 00:51:18,220 boyfriend students because he carries 840 00:51:16,780 --> 00:51:19,450 your books you're stronger than he is 841 00:51:18,220 --> 00:51:21,670 why don't you carry your own books and 842 00:51:19,450 --> 00:51:24,880 that sort of thing so we just carry that 843 00:51:21,670 --> 00:51:26,800 on for about a year and then we we we 844 00:51:24,880 --> 00:51:29,500 start eventually started dating and we 845 00:51:26,800 --> 00:51:35,080 dated then got engaged when I was in 846 00:51:29,500 --> 00:51:45,010 high school and he went out of high 847 00:51:35,080 --> 00:51:47,530 school to the service I've got to 848 00:51:45,010 --> 00:51:51,700 thought sometimes I want to be sure you 849 00:51:47,530 --> 00:51:58,060 get put on we decided before he left 850 00:51:51,700 --> 00:52:01,240 that we were done get engaged but not he 851 00:51:58,060 --> 00:52:03,190 said the reason why you get engaged was 852 00:52:01,240 --> 00:52:05,080 because he wanted the guys to see the 853 00:52:03,190 --> 00:52:07,960 ring on my finger and know that I was 854 00:52:05,080 --> 00:52:09,700 taken but they could Dom he said you 855 00:52:07,960 --> 00:52:11,980 know as my friend we decided to date 856 00:52:09,700 --> 00:52:15,070 other people while we were away because 857 00:52:11,980 --> 00:52:16,750 he said he was not gonna be over there 858 00:52:15,070 --> 00:52:18,330 twiddling his thumbs and he didn't want 859 00:52:16,750 --> 00:52:33,670 me to do that either 860 00:52:18,330 --> 00:52:37,060 because believe it or not there's not 861 00:52:33,670 --> 00:52:41,040 one guy I dated that he was ever jealous 862 00:52:37,060 --> 00:52:43,270 all cuz he said they were all stupid 863 00:52:41,040 --> 00:52:45,840 remember I married him but he said they 864 00:52:43,270 --> 00:52:45,840 were all stupid 865 00:52:47,050 --> 00:52:53,990 so we had a great relationship with 866 00:52:50,030 --> 00:53:08,060 girls and guys that I dated there was 867 00:52:53,990 --> 00:53:10,430 never any jealousy he was a great guy I 868 00:53:08,060 --> 00:53:11,900 never saw a guy before I met him in our 869 00:53:10,430 --> 00:53:15,970 life as well 870 00:53:11,900 --> 00:53:15,970 nor have I seen one since he died I 871 00:53:31,330 --> 00:53:38,210 expected him to be my life was just so 872 00:53:35,960 --> 00:53:40,790 great with him there were times when 873 00:53:38,210 --> 00:53:45,020 especially when I wasn't working when we 874 00:53:40,790 --> 00:53:46,880 really had to and that's why I know this 875 00:53:45,020 --> 00:53:50,090 is why I know that one person can make 876 00:53:46,880 --> 00:53:53,350 it if you will cut back and not have all 877 00:53:50,090 --> 00:53:53,350 the things that you 878 00:54:13,610 --> 00:54:20,750 we always had somebody else's children 879 00:54:15,620 --> 00:54:23,570 in the house and of course they are like 880 00:54:20,750 --> 00:54:27,740 our children even now they are grown and 881 00:54:23,570 --> 00:54:31,280 got children some of them you know he 882 00:54:27,740 --> 00:54:33,050 was when he was running the restaurant 883 00:54:31,280 --> 00:54:49,640 and I guess also in your experience 884 00:54:33,050 --> 00:54:54,320 around the restaurant was it how much no 885 00:54:49,640 --> 00:54:55,370 we didn't roll like that one of them now 886 00:54:54,320 --> 00:54:58,220 I'm not gonna say there weren't 887 00:54:55,370 --> 00:55:00,830 difficult times but we tried to arrange 888 00:54:58,220 --> 00:55:03,290 it so that we could but everything was 889 00:55:00,830 --> 00:55:07,880 manageable because if it wasn't see well 890 00:55:03,290 --> 00:55:10,910 first of all he was overweight and had 891 00:55:07,880 --> 00:55:13,820 heart conditions for years and so we had 892 00:55:10,910 --> 00:55:17,180 to remember that and that's why we are 893 00:55:13,820 --> 00:55:19,310 closed Mondays now we closed Sundays 894 00:55:17,180 --> 00:55:20,930 because we agreed to allow all of our 895 00:55:19,310 --> 00:55:22,610 employees to go to church if they so 896 00:55:20,930 --> 00:55:24,290 desired we didn't you know it's up to 897 00:55:22,610 --> 00:55:26,780 them whether they go at night but we 898 00:55:24,290 --> 00:55:30,440 were going and and we thought we would 899 00:55:26,780 --> 00:55:38,240 hook Sunday with Monday and that would 900 00:55:30,440 --> 00:55:39,710 be a little less stress for him what is 901 00:55:38,240 --> 00:55:44,660 it like running the restaurant what was 902 00:55:39,710 --> 00:55:48,590 it like it's probably not nearly as 903 00:55:44,660 --> 00:55:52,400 hectic for me as it might have been for 904 00:55:48,590 --> 00:55:56,330 him on the outside and the business 905 00:55:52,400 --> 00:55:58,130 flourished so quickly yeah one of the 906 00:55:56,330 --> 00:56:01,010 things that happens when we first open 907 00:55:58,130 --> 00:56:04,310 to us we got a contract with mrs. clean 908 00:56:01,010 --> 00:56:07,490 the riverboat and their business just 909 00:56:04,310 --> 00:56:09,740 grew to the point where we had to cancel 910 00:56:07,490 --> 00:56:13,880 the contract because we could not handle 911 00:56:09,740 --> 00:56:16,250 the request and by this time I'll be the 912 00:56:13,880 --> 00:56:19,040 business was increasing in in here 913 00:56:16,250 --> 00:56:20,780 because when we started within we 914 00:56:19,040 --> 00:56:21,410 weren't getting much business and nobody 915 00:56:20,780 --> 00:56:24,320 knew about us 916 00:56:21,410 --> 00:56:27,650 we've never advertised except by word of 917 00:56:24,320 --> 00:56:29,780 mouth and the people who we served food 918 00:56:27,650 --> 00:56:31,790 to on the river boats told their friends 919 00:56:29,780 --> 00:56:34,220 and so people began to come in here and 920 00:56:31,790 --> 00:56:36,730 also Memphis Cotton Council down on 921 00:56:34,220 --> 00:56:40,190 North Parkway we got so much business 922 00:56:36,730 --> 00:56:43,190 and so people began to tell people and 923 00:56:40,190 --> 00:56:46,180 it was just it was just it get it got 924 00:56:43,190 --> 00:56:52,010 busy and he would you know 925 00:56:46,180 --> 00:56:55,130 attempt to hold it down now he stayed 926 00:56:52,010 --> 00:56:56,720 open from 10:00 to 7:00 when I came in 927 00:56:55,130 --> 00:57:07,250 out the first thing I did was cut the 928 00:56:56,720 --> 00:57:09,890 hours to five because I I'm sure you've 929 00:57:07,250 --> 00:57:12,760 had a lot of you know fun or interesting 930 00:57:09,890 --> 00:57:15,109 experiences working here with customers 931 00:57:12,760 --> 00:57:17,210 is there anything that really stands out 932 00:57:15,109 --> 00:57:20,270 in your mind any memories of the 933 00:57:17,210 --> 00:57:22,900 restaurant you know in terms of maybe 934 00:57:20,270 --> 00:57:25,900 someone who came in who said like a 935 00:57:22,900 --> 00:57:25,900 surprise 936 00:57:29,630 --> 00:57:35,809 well people especially famous people 937 00:57:32,690 --> 00:57:38,690 famous people began to come in and and 938 00:57:35,809 --> 00:57:41,869 and you know when when they would come 939 00:57:38,690 --> 00:57:43,839 in they would just come in and get in 940 00:57:41,869 --> 00:57:54,020 line like everybody else and somebody 941 00:57:43,839 --> 00:57:54,640 major day you know the major - India but 942 00:57:54,020 --> 00:57:58,190 anyway 943 00:57:54,640 --> 00:58:01,990 whosoever remembers me his name keeps 944 00:57:58,190 --> 00:58:06,319 coming he was standing in the land and 945 00:58:01,990 --> 00:58:08,359 there was a Danny Glover 946 00:58:06,319 --> 00:58:10,730 I mean famous people would come in and 947 00:58:08,359 --> 00:58:12,349 somebody said to me one day there's 948 00:58:10,730 --> 00:58:14,180 there's a famous person eating dinner 949 00:58:12,349 --> 00:58:18,770 back then and it's a young lady who 950 00:58:14,180 --> 00:58:23,480 played on Will Smith's series where he 951 00:58:18,770 --> 00:58:35,030 was the nephew yes and she was his 952 00:58:23,480 --> 00:58:37,760 girlfriend she was back and they are so 953 00:58:35,030 --> 00:58:42,589 nice people coming they're so nice very 954 00:58:37,760 --> 00:58:45,170 nice I tell you but what uh people just 955 00:58:42,589 --> 00:58:47,690 you know and I have begun that's people 956 00:58:45,170 --> 00:58:49,490 how did you find out about us and one 957 00:58:47,690 --> 00:58:51,200 guy told me that been a Glover told him 958 00:58:49,490 --> 00:58:55,819 to come in he said I was in California 959 00:58:51,200 --> 00:58:58,490 and I was telling I saw Danny Glover and 960 00:58:55,819 --> 00:59:00,880 I told him how good I thought if you 961 00:58:58,490 --> 00:59:00,880 think this 962 00:59:07,960 --> 00:59:21,850 there was family here one day the family 963 00:59:28,570 --> 00:59:50,270 he comes in at home so we've got a nice 964 00:59:44,240 --> 01:00:19,730 relationship you know those kinds of 965 00:59:50,270 --> 01:00:21,800 things it's amazing okay the story okay 966 01:00:19,730 --> 01:00:23,360 and this happened the first year we 967 01:00:21,800 --> 01:00:27,350 opened Lord 968 01:00:23,360 --> 01:00:28,670 his name was his last name was flowing 969 01:00:27,350 --> 01:00:32,710 but I can't remember his first name was 970 01:00:28,670 --> 01:00:36,290 me he came in from London and he did 971 01:00:32,710 --> 01:00:38,360 taping and he told us that he would try 972 01:00:36,290 --> 01:00:44,810 to get it on PBS but he wasn't sure he 973 01:00:38,360 --> 01:00:48,260 could he never did and he put it on the 974 01:00:44,810 --> 01:00:50,360 airplane people were coming and say I 975 01:00:48,260 --> 01:00:54,440 saw you when I was on my way to Africa I 976 01:00:50,360 --> 01:00:57,590 saw you when I was in wherever but they 977 01:00:54,440 --> 01:01:00,110 would come in and and let us know that 978 01:00:57,590 --> 01:01:02,390 that's how they came that's that's why 979 01:01:00,110 --> 01:01:04,100 we get initially so much international 980 01:01:02,390 --> 01:01:07,150 business yeah because people have seen 981 01:01:04,100 --> 01:01:07,150 that especially 982 01:01:09,909 --> 01:01:12,949 you know where the kangaroos are that's 983 01:01:12,589 --> 01:01:16,849 true 984 01:01:12,949 --> 01:01:19,549 Australia I'll spray it we can see you 985 01:01:16,849 --> 01:01:21,799 can tell the Australian data right away 986 01:01:19,549 --> 01:01:25,609 and also the English people we get a lot 987 01:01:21,799 --> 01:01:32,499 of people things a lot so so that really 988 01:01:25,609 --> 01:01:32,499 worked well for us lots of international 989 01:01:54,729 --> 01:02:04,819 he would not he wouldn't even have it 990 01:02:03,439 --> 01:02:07,219 painted because I'm going to cost some 991 01:02:04,819 --> 01:02:10,039 money we are using the same telephone 992 01:02:07,219 --> 01:02:12,289 number that we use that they use because 993 01:02:10,039 --> 01:02:13,999 it cost about 1213 dollars to change it 994 01:02:12,289 --> 01:02:15,769 he would not change the numbers 995 01:02:13,999 --> 01:02:17,929 so whoever had this business before we 996 01:02:15,769 --> 01:02:27,199 did we using your name and we're using 997 01:02:17,929 --> 01:02:28,459 your number he said well I think Oh 998 01:02:27,199 --> 01:02:39,859 Sakura is a good name 999 01:02:28,459 --> 01:02:42,319 why should we change I just have one 1000 01:02:39,859 --> 01:02:43,880 more question okay and doing all my 1001 01:02:42,319 --> 01:02:45,919 research one of the things that I've 1002 01:02:43,880 --> 01:02:47,599 been coming across it's trying to figure 1003 01:02:45,919 --> 01:02:52,390 out I've seen so many different 1004 01:02:47,599 --> 01:02:54,979 spellings of barbecue and and vbq or 1005 01:02:52,390 --> 01:02:56,839 spell it out with the cue in it or spell 1006 01:02:54,979 --> 01:02:59,239 it out with a C in it and so I just 1007 01:02:56,839 --> 01:03:00,949 wanted to ask everyone I talked to how 1008 01:02:59,239 --> 01:03:02,989 would you know what do you do you think 1009 01:03:00,949 --> 01:03:05,829 there's one way to spell barbecue how 1010 01:03:02,989 --> 01:03:08,449 should I be spelling however it reads 1011 01:03:05,829 --> 01:03:10,489 however you want to spell it yeah I 1012 01:03:08,449 --> 01:03:15,130 probably spend it a different way every 1013 01:03:10,489 --> 01:03:15,130 time I write it and it's alright 1014 01:03:17,320 --> 01:03:21,650 well is there anything else that you 1015 01:03:20,270 --> 01:03:24,140 know that I haven't asked you about that 1016 01:03:21,650 --> 01:03:25,520 you'd like to talk about I mean this is 1017 01:03:24,140 --> 01:03:31,040 we're really trying to capture your 1018 01:03:25,520 --> 01:03:33,080 story so anything they I'd like to 1019 01:03:31,040 --> 01:03:35,420 expand on my family a little bit by 1020 01:03:33,080 --> 01:03:38,570 telling her that and I told you we are 1021 01:03:35,420 --> 01:03:41,090 now five generation family the oldest 1022 01:03:38,570 --> 01:03:44,720 being 90 next Tuesday and the youngest 1023 01:03:41,090 --> 01:03:46,850 being - she's - now we've got four 1024 01:03:44,720 --> 01:03:49,550 generations working which means the 1025 01:03:46,850 --> 01:03:51,320 two-year-old is working and so did the 1026 01:03:49,550 --> 01:03:52,850 other grandchildren because they were 1027 01:03:51,320 --> 01:03:55,400 all raised and gave my daughter did not 1028 01:03:52,850 --> 01:04:03,170 send them so they cared they were in her 1029 01:03:55,400 --> 01:04:06,710 office keeping the business going 1030 01:04:03,170 --> 01:04:12,040 my husband accomplished our dream our 1031 01:04:06,710 --> 01:04:16,330 desire was to create a product that 1032 01:04:12,040 --> 01:04:16,330 would be the best people ever had