Frank Milner,relocated from Allensworth, California where he had established one of the State’s unique barbershop, which he constructed in 1911 with the decline of Allensworth, Mr. Milner set up shop in the City Of Tulare bringing along his faithful customers. Milner’s Last Chance Barbershop was next to another historical African American owned business the King’s Cafe
Established at 322 South K Street in 1927 By Mary Francis King, Orignally named The King's Chuck Wagon was opened, Later to become knowns as the King's Cafe until destruction in 1956.
Frank Milner Last Chance Barbershop
Grace King, would continue the family buisness after both Mary & Arhtur passing. Mary in 1941 & Arthur in 1952
During the early 1920’s the growth of African Americans in Tulare began to grow business opportunities was rare but few took the chance to open their business regardless. Mary Francis King took the opportunity when she opened her Chuck Wagon Café later to be renamed King’s Café, in 1927 along the 300 hundred block of South K Street where the business would remain until mid 1957 when time and traffic location was diverted from K Street with the construction of Freeway 99. Along with King’s Café came The Last Chance Barbershop owned by former Allensworth resident Frank Milner who also opened a Pool hall and rooming house next door to King’s Café.
By 1939 the Cafe was remodeled with the opening of the Bar next door Mr. Arthur King inside of the bar
Inside of King's Cafe Grace King seated with Mary Francis & Brother James Sims and Henry King
The Cafe would grow adding a bar by 1939 two later Mary King would pass leaving the daily operations to her Arthur and Grace King
Todaythe once minority owned business King’s Café and Milner’s Last Chance Barbershop have been reduced to memory of the Downtown area of 300 Block of South K Street. Yet one minority owned and built duplex built on the South End of West Street built by Arthur King, one of the last historic building which was erected in early 1950’s
Other Black Owned Business
Milner’s Billiard Hall 330 S. KFrank Milner 1935
Milner’s Rooming House 330 ½Frank Milner 1935
Hospitality Restaurant 236 East OwensWilliam Dials 1940
Sims Grocery Store 546 East AlpineJames Sims 1926
Sims Second Hand Furniture James Sims 1926
Mc Cabe & Carter Gas Mack Mc Cabe & Elmer Carter 1930
