The mural on the Southern wall of the Fair Tavern was commissioned by the owners of the tavern to an American black employee of *Dickie Sansari's car wash on Essex St. The mural was excellent and clearly depicted Duke Ellington; Ella Fitzgerald; louis Armstrong (In his late twenties); Ben Webster; Clark Terry and Roy Eldridge; Ed Thigpen; and other Jazz Greats.. I believe there were eleven in total. According to the present owner of the mural is intact behind a stud wall.
[* The North Side of Essex from the corners of State to Main were as follows: Ben's Staionary Shop, who's sign advertised soda and Ice Cream, and candy, he also sold toys; Red's Service Station, competed with Joes Sinclair (where 75 Essex is now) then changed to "City's Service," then "Citgo"; at the triangle there was "Flying A" Gasoline and "Crown" Gasoline back to back. Later the Trolly Stop would occupy that parcel. Next to Red's was Sansari's Car Wash and there was a working bowling ally up stairs which closed three years before the first Shop Rite in the area took position at the top of Essex Stree near Prospect. I seem to recall Breslowe's still being in business. After that there were three houses followed by a dual brick apartment building with eight apartments four stores. The longest tenants being a Chinese Laundry, and a Barber.
Fair Street from Essex to Lodi Streets: Three grocery stores, a fish market, a bakery, a clothing factory, a salumeria, a variety store; a barber; and a fix-it shop.
