Day 21: Remembering Local History during Black History Month Shops, Businesses & Restaurants. Grocery stores were popular businesses to own in the Black community in Winston-Salem. One successful grocer was Thomas L. Hooper Sr. Hooper came to Winston-Salem to work in a friend’s grocery store after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University. In 1903, he bought his first grocery store on East Third Street, between Patterson and Church Street. In 1918, Hooper opened a s…econd grocery store on 7th and Patterson Avenue. He remained at this location until 1962 when this property was razed because of the city’s urban renewal project. In 1890 there were ten Black eating establishments in the Depot Street area, and by 1915 thirty-five were in operation. The original Starlight Café was established by Mrs. Christine D. “Ma Chris” Burton, known for her soul food/low country cuisine. Burton’s food was highly regarded by locals and celebrities passing through Winston-Salem. The restaurant later moved to Liberty Street, continuing Ma Chris’s legacy. Burton passed in 2005. Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library, Winston-Salem, NC, NC Photograph Collection, Winston-Salem, N. C. The Depot Street Renaissance mural by Leo Rucker represents the contributions of just a few of the many individuals, businesses and institutions that made the neighborhood that is now the Innovation Quarter a prestigious community and a thriving hub of Black enterprise. Visit the mural on 7th Street between Research Pkwy and Vine St: https://bit.ly/3rM3n1G #blackhistorymonth2022 #BHM2022 #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #bhm #blacklivesmatter #blm #blackhistory #history Triad Cultural Arts