Fair Deal Cafe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fair Deal Cafe |
|
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1954 |
| Food type | Soul food |
| Street address | 2118 North 24th Street |
| City | Omaha |
| State | Nebraska |
| Postal/ZIP code | 68111 |
| Country | USA |
| Other information | Closed in 2003 |
The Fair Deal Cafe was a very important diner for the African American community in North Omaha, Nebraska. People knew it as the "Black City Hall." This special cafe was located at North 24th & Burdette in the Near North Omaha neighborhood. It served the community from 1954 until it closed in 2003.
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A Place of History
The Fair Deal Cafe opened its doors in 1954. It quickly became a key part of North Omaha's story. For nearly 50 years, it was a central meeting spot. Many important people, like politicians and community leaders, gathered there. It was a place where people connected and shared ideas.
Why It Was Called "Black City Hall"
The cafe earned the nickname "Black City Hall." This was because people from all over came to discuss important topics. Local leaders held meetings there to plan political campaigns. They talked about running for state and national offices. Even senators and governors visited the cafe.
Important leaders like Ernie Chambers and Brenda Council met there. They discussed big issues facing the city. Famous people also stopped by. These included Bill Cosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jesse Jackson.
Food and Style
The Fair Deal Cafe was famous for its delicious soul food. Popular dishes included chitlins and candied sweet potatoes. The cafe had a cool Art Deco style. This included its lunch counter, stools, and ceiling fans. It also had a unique tin ceiling.
The cafe was close to the St. Martin de Porres Center. This center was home to the De Porres Club. This group worked against racial segregation in Omaha. Racial segregation meant keeping people of different races separate. The De Porres Club was active from the 1940s to the 1970s.
In the early 1990s, Charlie Hall owned the cafe. At that time, it was known as Omaha's only soul food restaurant. The cafe closed in 2003 after new owners took over. In 2008, the Omaha Economic Development Corporation bought the building.
New Life for the Area
In 2011, a big plan was announced. It was called the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan. The City of Omaha approved this plan. It aimed to bring new life to the area.
The Fair Deal Urban District
As part of this plan, a new "Fair Deal Urban District" was created. The redeveloped Fair Deal Cafe was meant to be a highlight of this district. This area included North 24th, 26th, Blondo, and Burdette Streets.
The district included several new projects. There was an art campus for the Union for Contemporary Arts. A 40-unit apartment complex for senior citizens was also built. Five single-family homes were added near Patrick Avenue.
Fair Deal Marketplace
On December 10, 2015, the original cafe building was torn down. This made way for the Fair Deal Marketplace. The Marketplace opened in December 2016. Terri Sanders, from the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, explained its purpose. She said the North Omaha area had not had a grocery store in over 40 years.
The Marketplace included a fresh food market. It also had a new Fair Deal Village Café restaurant. There was an outdoor eating area. Space was also available for at least 12 small businesses.
For a short time, a new, modern Fair Deal Cafe operated. Jon Nielle Allen owned and ran it. It was part of the Fair Deal Village MarketPlace. However, this business closed within two years. Another restaurant later moved into the space.
See also
