Perry's Restaurant
Known Name(s)
Perry's Restaurant
Address
519 N. 2nd Richmond, VA
Establishment Type(s)
Restaurant
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
The 1952 Sanborn map shows 519 N. 2nd Street as a one-story brick restaurant. The adjacent building at 517 N. 2nd is a store. The two have "pilast'd walls."
Detailed History
The same parking lot covers the sites of both Perry's Restaurant and Slaughters Hotel at 529 N. 2nd.
Spencer and Barbara Perry opened Perry’s Restaurant at 519 N. 2nd Street in 1960, just a year after they opened Spence’s Grill on the same block.
Prior to opening the restaurant, newlyweds Barbara and Spencer Perry lived on Overbrook Road and he worked as an upholsterer. Barbara had grown up in Jackson Ward, the daughter of Melvin Blackwell, a waiter. She worked in a record shop. Spencer Perry had served in the United States military in World War II. He was active in the Richmond Crusade for Voters and an early supporter of Henry Marsh’s political career. Spencer and Barbara’s son, Spencer, Jr., desegregated J.E.B. Stuart elementary school (now Obama).
Perry’s Restaurant operated at this location until at least 1987 when it ceased being listed in the city directories. Barbara and Spencer Perry also owned and operated Perry’s Restaurant on the same block, and also the Rendezvous East Supper Club on Jefferson Avenue.
History and ad image courtesy of Christopher Graham.
