![]() ”The shop hires local designers to create merchandise that revolves around the “raw theme of Harlem NYC. Thus, Harlem Underground began with a mission: “We look to create an image or projection of what Harlem is - its music, its culture, its people. ” With the neighborhood already a recognizable name, when Leon would travel outside the city dressed in Harlem gear, many people wanted to know where he purchased his clothing. His projects as a restaurateur aside, Leon felt that he wanted to “spread the word about Harlem all over the world. Today, his clothing shop is surrounded by two newer ventures: Chocolat, a full-service restaurant, and Ganache Cafe, a coffee shop. Upon graduating, he chose to remain in Harlem permanently and embark on a bevy of intriguing business ventures throughout the 1990s, including a gaming store, Emily’s - a restaurant named after his mother - and a barbecue joint named for his father. He would often stay in New York over the summers as he sold Black history books door to door to pay for his education. ![]() ![]() Leon Ellis grew up on the island of Jamaica and went to college in Alabama. “Like right now a lot of things are happening on the train, and not only on the train but in neighborhoods.“People gravitate towards Harlem, ” said Leon Ellis, the accomplished entrepreneur behind Harlem Underground. “That’s the worst thing they can do,” Harlem resident Brenda Balthazar told ABC7. “This is perhaps situation where there is no right answer, but before we go forward, I think all the major stakeholders, their positions, should be considered,” Harlem resident Muna Heaven said. “If they’re giving people jobs, I might come there and work,” another Harlem resident said. “They will have customers that feel like this is an establishment I can really go in and feel safe,” Harlem resident Breeze Fabre said. Some residents gave a balanced response when asked about the dispensary location. This could add to the reasons locals don’t want a dispensary directly across the street. Other artists’ careers launched at the theater including Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross & The Supremes, Parliament-Funkadelic, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson 5 and later Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Luther Vandross, The Isley Brothers, and the list goes on. The Apollo Theater is no ordinary location: Since the swing era, it’s been synonymous with legendary Black musicians and performers.ĭuke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and comedians like Richard Pryor performed often at the theater. Residents Recognize Apollo Theater in Music History The lawsuit lists a total of 47 businesses that serve or cater to minors.įor a solution, the BID recommends that the dispensary opens inside the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, which is owned by the state, so patrons can have a secure and a safe environment.Ĭrain’s New York Business reports that a sign hangs at the proposed location, indicating it was recently a COVID testing center. In this case, they say the dispensary is too close to Touro College, a high school-aged school in the area. ![]() The lawsuit also accuses the state of violating its own regulation barring dispensaries from opening within 500 feet of a school. “We just wanna know why the decision was taken really without consulting us,” Taheraly said. “We’ve taken this action to really create transparency and to create a channel of communication to understand why this location,” Mukaram Taheraly, chairman of the 125th Street BID, told CBS2.Īccording to the BID, state regulators colluded in secret in order to avoid pushback from the Harlem community, especially considering the importance of the location. The 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court. A battle is underway to fight a new dispensary from opening in Harlem at a site known for its place in music history.ĬBS2 reports that plans are unfolding to open a dispensary in a building on 125th Street, across the street from the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. ![]()
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