Shopping on Sheriff 46TH STREET & SHERIFF ROAD NE
Sheltered from the overt bigotry many African Americans experienced when venturing downtown, Deanwood shoppers of the 1950s found nearly everything along Sheriff Road, in pharmacies, print shops, dry cleaners, bakeries, clothing stores, barber shops, and beauty salons often owned by their neighbors. Among the businessmen was Earl E. King, Sr., who started selling ice and coal from his home in 1925. King and his family also delivered ice for home iceboxes. In the late 1950s, he installed the only 24-hour, self-service ice machine in North- east DC. It is still visible behind 4501 Sheriff Road. He also offered limousine service. Al and Ida Mendelson were among the Jewish proprietors who ran businesses here. In the 1940s they lived above their Certified Food Market at 4401 Sheriff, where cash-strapped customers could simply sign “the book” and settle accounts later. Their son Murry developed “big burger” patties and sandwich steaks for sale to restaurants. The Mendelsons sold the grocery in 1948 to focus on Murry’s Steaks, offering wholesale frozen meat products. In its third generation, the business con- tinues as Murry’s Family of Fine Foods, retailing in the mid-Atlantic region. Another multi-generation business began when Henry Parker opened Suburban Market and a fill- ing station at 49th Place and Grant Street in 1944. Some 20 years later the market moved to 4600 Sheriff Road. After Parker’s death, his son Irving ran the market, while son Reginald opened a bar- ber shop across the street. The Parkers supported neighborhood activities, including the Roper Recreation Center’s baseball team.
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