JIM LIGHTIN'

[ROSE MARY THOMAS]

Do any of you remember JIM LIGHTIN'?

Wasn't that an old soul food "hole-the-wall," joint somewhere behind Booker T.? Now, that was in the early 50's. Cecil Ray probably can clarify that, because he was in the class of 52, I think.

I went to BT in the 8th grade in 54, and it was going strong then. I don't actually remember going there to eat, but, I do know a lot of the athletes went there to eat all of the time, and it was always said the food was "good soul food." "Can I get a Jim Lightin' Witness"? :)

[ROSE MARY THOMAS]

"Wow"! Just thinking about it, brings a smile to my face. 

"THOSE WERE THE DAYS OF YESTER-YEAR" .....

[Cecil R "Poppi" Brown]

Yea Rose and Wink, Jim Lighting was located on Leonard St., and you're both right about the food and it being off limits. The secret was to make sure you found a teacher who you could con into 'GOING FOR THEM" that way you could cover yourself. Once they took the con, you could later use their name for an alibi whenever you went on your own and that was'nt too often because I think the food cost a big-old 0.65 cents! and who had that kind of money all the time?

[ROSE MARY THOMAS]

Jim Lightin' was the man who owned the place and the cook, I'm sure; plus, some old sista's back in the kitchen, too; anyway, I think the reason the girls didn't go there is because it seemed to have been a "Macho, athlete/boy/man thing" to go over there. I think the "Girls didn't have the nerve to go." :) As far as Mrs Holloway getting her grub on from over there; she probably had the "hook-up," Know what I mean, Jamesetta"????

[Cassie Richey Robinson]

Not only did the athletes eat there but I remember some of our teachers having some of the food brought to them...As popular as it was the girls never went there to my knowledge.. I remember Hazel Mae having it smelling good in her office, maybe her husband would bring it to her..why did we not go.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE PLACE AND WHO WAS JIM LIGHTIN?

[ROSE MARY THOMAS]

"Umm, humm, that's what I heard, Wink, it was about the meat loaf, greens, & candied yams, and, don't forget about the "NECK BONES"..... LOL, LOL !!!!!! That's what was going on at "JIM LIGHTIN'S" back in the day. Getting down with some good soul food in a grown folks enviroment.
"THOSE WERE THE DAYS"....

[Fred Walker]

MS ROSE I WAS AT JIM LIGHTING EVERY CHANCE I GOT OR WHEN I HAD THE MONEY TO GO. JIM LIGHTING COST MORE THAN OUR SCHOOL PLATE LUNCH. PLATE LUNCHES WERE TWENTY FIVE CENT AND JIM LIGHTING LUNCHES WERE FORTY CENT.THE YAMS ,GREENS ,MEAT LOAF,AND JUKE BOX MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE NOT TO MENTION AN ADULT ENVIRONMENT.I WANTED TO BE GROWN. I WOULD PLAY A TURN CALL SO RARE ON THE JUKE BOX.YOU GOT THREE RECORDS FOR A QUARTER AT THAT TIME.THE FOOD WAS GREAT ,BUT YOU WERE TAKING A CHANCE BY LEAVING THE CAMPUS. I GOT CAUGHT TWO DAYS IN A ROW ,MR CAGES WERE SUMMON TO THE OFFICE,MY JOB WAS TO BEND OVER,HIS JOB WAS TO INFLICT PAIN. MR CAGE AND THAT BOARD MADE ME DECIDE TO VISIT JIM LIGHTING WEEKENDS ONLY.JIM LIGHTING WAS LOCATED OFF LEONARD STREET ON A STREET THAT I WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH AND GET BACK WITH YOU OR GET SOME HELP FROM SOMEONE ELSE ,WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE.