423 W. FRANKLIN ST.

This brick structure was built circa 1928 on the site of an earlier wood structure. The first known occupant was Betty Williams' Grocery Store, from circa 1929 to circa 1941.

 

From circa 1942 to circa 1949 it was Bright's Grocery (operated by Mont J. Bright); From circa 1949 to circa 1958 it was the Anderson Restaurant; From circa 1958 to circa 1961 it was the Andrews Restaurant, operated by Lambros and Anastasia Andrews.

 

From circa 1961 to 1997 it was Leo's Restaurant. Owner/operator Elias "Leo" Eliadis was the former operator of the grill at the bus station but closed it so as to not be forced to integrate it, as he would then be in violation of the federal Interstate Commerce Act. Leo's Restaurant was the scene of Civil Rights protests in 1963. Leo's was also the source of food used to feed Civil Rights protestors arrested and kept at the jail -- although they refused to eat it due to Leo's being segregated. 

 

In 1998 it became Darbar Indian Restaurant. The Lantern Restaurant opened in January 2002 and still occupies the structure, expanding into #421 circa 2019.

 

 

Building at right of photo, 1963 (photo by Richard A. Lamanna via UNC)

 

Circa 1960 aerial photo excerpt (via UNC)

 

June 1925 Sanborn map excerpt, showing earlier building (at #333)

 

1947 ad

 

1961 ad