The Fourth Avenue District in Birmingham, Alabama
As a result of Jim Crow laws, a growing black business community were forced into an area along Third, Fourth, and Fifth Avenue North, from 15th to 18th Streets in Birmingham, Alabama. The area, also known as “Little Harlem,” was located in the area included barber and beauty shops, mortuaries, saloons, restaurants, theatres, photographic studios, cleaners, shoe shine parlors, and motels.
Bob Williams, owner of “Bob’s Savoy,” a famous night club and restaurant, and other Black businesses continued to do well throughout the ’60s. However, disintegration caused a major “economic” impact on the area. Many Black shoppers abandoned Black-owned businesses once they were allowed to shop in white-owned establishments.