Willie Mae's Kitchen 395 North K Street open 8/30/1996
On August 30, 1996 Willie Mae’s Kitchen opened its doors to the public, Named after Willie Mae Long, Owners Paulette (Long) Allen and Husband Frank Allen would offer a style of Country Cooking to the North End of K Street. Years after Tulare Pioneer Mary Francis King open a Café at 322 South K Street in 1927; Willie Mae’s Kitchen would offer a similar family business in dinning. Located at 395 North K Street Mrs. Allen would be joined by her Sister Exetta Akhune, and Brother James Long in operating the family kitchen.
Mr. Frank Allen would previously own and operate his Palace of Soul Record Shop which was located at 215 East Kern beneath the Eagle Club, He would later share partnership in the Allen Brothers Custom Detailer in the mid 1970’s located at 400 West Inyo, before joining his wife in the ownership of Willie Mae’s Kitchen
Gregory Riceowner of Greg’s Take-Out-Barbeque continued in the food service of Tulare’s minority owners, years after King’s Café would close their doors, he would set up shop first behind a Tulare land mark Doherty’s at 214 East Inyo across from the old café’s location on 322 South K Street. Mr. Rice would later relocate to the West end of Inyo. Mr. Rice later joined into partnership with Mr. Allen, later buying the business of Allen Brothers in 1972 changing the name to Majestic Car Detailers where he would employ several young high school students during the summer to allow them to earn extra money and keeping them busy during the summer months while school was out
Essence of Beaute
Open May 10, 1996 this beauty solon Specializing in Ethnic Hair Care for the entire family. The shop is the third for the owner and Hair Care Provider Wanda Katepa.
Beginning her desired career in 1979 Wanda co-own with her Husband International Hair Designs located on Mineral King in Visalia California. She would only remain there for a year when she and her husband dissolved their partnership, she then move to Tulare where after working in other Solon’s she would open Mr. D’s Solon which was located at 219 West Inyo Street from 1984 until 1990, when once again she would work as a independent hair stylist in various solon’s. Six years later on May 10, 1996 she would open her current solon Wanda’s Essence of Beaute that is located at 1933 East Tulare Avenue in the City of Tulare.
Wanda Katepa with over thirty years of experience An African American Business owner
Wade’s Miracle car wash & Detail
Started from behind the Church in which he served as Pastor Open Door Non-Denominational 401 West Inyo in June of 1985, Mr. Richard Wade launched his new business of car detailing. Providing a customer with a wax job or just wash inside and out all by hand my Wade quickly became well known.
He would move his Business to the East of Inyo settling next to the Ace Hardware Store near J Street where he would remain for the next ten years, before being forced to relocate after a late night fire destroyed both Ace Hardware and the carwash in 1996.
Mr. Wade would relocate this time to 3500 block of South K Street. He would soon relocate again seeking to get closer to town he opened shop at 1140 West Inyo Street by 1997.
Today Mr. Wade is located at 1453 East Sunset Avenue.
After the successful wave of minority business owners in the 1930’s through 1950’s, New African American would offer their unique service to the public over the next half a century, today there are four African American business in Tulare.
