Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / April 4, 1985, edition 1 / Page 11
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Jerry’s Market »-year veteran. Sue Crow, waits oa customer at the checkout. Ms. Crow it secretary. cashier, and generally a "Jill of all trades." % 4 ‘ T • , At Jerry's Market Persons ^ :1 Service Is A Trademark By Audrey C. Lodato Post Staff Writer * A Statesville Road institution since 1962, Jerry’s Market has grown from a produce stand to a full-service food, store selling qua lity meats, produce, and groceries. How can a family operation com pete with the large fogd chains in today’s market? Owner Jerry Wike points back to the meat counter where he has just finished wrapping several cuts of meat for a customer. “Personalized service,” he responds. At Jerry’s, customers can have their meats cut to order. Son David, who is both assistant manager and produce manager, agrees with his father's assessment of what makes Jerry’s Market spe cial. “Hie meat department,” he affirms. “The open case where we serve the people. Theyjike that kind of service, when we wait on then.” David Wike notes that Jerry’s meat prices laid to be lower than in the chain stores. He explains that the forge chains make their money on meats and produce, while keeping canned goods low. At Jerry’s, he continues, “We focus on our meat department. That’s our main objective. We put our pride into that.’’ At the same time, grocery prices remain in line. Meat products include beef, pork, and chicken, and range from oxtails and beef neck bones, to rib eyes and T-bones. The store also features a mild pork sausage made by veteran meat cutter Kenneth Marze right on the premises. , - Jerry’s Market moved about a block to its present location in 1967. From 1962 to 1967, according to David, his father hauled produce up from Florida for sale at the family’s curbside produce market. After the move, meats and other items were added. Then, eight or nine years ago the building was expanded to handle an even greater array of food products. Clientele at Jerry’s Market are a faithful lot. Customers come from all over, not just the immediate neighborhood, and continue patron izing the establishment for years. Hours at the store are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mopday through Thurs day; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. Explains David, “Most people are out stirring early on Sunday. Many like to shop for dinner before going to church.” Jerry’s now employs about 25 people. Sue Crow, who serves as secretary among other duties, has been with the store about nine years. David’s wife, Melinda, also works at the store. Jerry’s wife “helps out" on a part time basis, but the pro prietor notes with a smile, “I try to keep most of the family out. I don’t want to bring home too close.” For Jerry, who claims to have worked in the grocery business all his life (he started when he was 11 or 12), success seems to have come in the market which bears hio name. Apparently Jerry’s Market is serv ing a need which can’t be met in quite the same way anywhere else. Alexander Leaves Trail Of Victories By Teresa Simmons Managing Editor «■«. tt you imew Keily Alexander-Sf. then you realize that words like > strong, determined, tenacious, yet generous and warm are adjec tives which only touch the surface of his inner man. ' . Kelly Alexander Sr., 69, died. Wednesday morning leaving behind a trail of victories in school de segregation, voting, employment, public accommodations and equali ty for the black race. “My father was an outstanding individual,” Alfred Alexander, youngest son of Alexander Sr., com mented Wednesday. “He was out standing in all aspects of life... family, civil rights and business. Even as a young man he was active in various aspects of community life and continued to the last moment. He stressed blacks getting together . and the importance of. unity....he wanted blacks to stop envying one another and he felt education was extremely important.’’ “The things he represented,” Al fred Alexander continued, “will continue to live. He loved Charlotte and he represented Charlotte well wherever he went.” . > *•» As national board chairman of the National Association for the Ad vancement of Colored People (NAACP), Alexander Sr. was con stantly striving for better economic and educational conditions, empha sizing progress for youth. Last weekend he delivered a speech in Charleston, W.V. Accord ing to his son, “Even when he was sick, he was still active. You wouldn’t know that he was sick... he was a strong individual.” as a student at uiemson univer sity, Mayor Harvey Gantt remem bers his first encounter with Kelly Alexander Sr Later on, Gantt con tinued, "1 got to know him quite well through our association in politics “I feel a monument of a man has passed from the scene in Charlotte, N.C., and the country Kelly Alex ander was Mr. NAACP' and he affected t|»e lives of everyone. .. Mack and white in a positive way ." We have changed our behavioral patterns and when I think of public accommodation, employment, £ school desegregation and voting, 1 1 think of Kelly Alexander and the great job he did." Gantt added, "Kelly Alexander was determined when it came to civil rights, yet he was a generous, kind, and warm individual " Civil rights, in the eyes of many, meant a fair shake when it came to education. When the schools were desegregated, Alexander did not take a beck seat to the situation. As a family man he knew hut the hurt one’s child felt was deeper than the pain inflicted upon one’s self During 1974-7* Gcrson Stroud ■ served as the desegregation special 1st for the Chariotte-MecklenlMrg School System. He had earlier served as principal of West Char Kelly Alexander Sr. .Toiled 69 years lotte Senior High School. “I remember that during the time Kelly Alexander Sr.’i son, Alfred, was a student at West Charlotte. Alexander Sr. was quite prevalent in working with us at West Charlotte for racial equality for all students.” Alexander wanted the best quality of education to remain not only for his son, but also for each student, Stroud professed. “Helping to break the barriers of desegregation was one of his main contributions,” Charlie Dannelly, City Councilman and principal of Quail Hollow Junior High, stated. "He was also Instrumental in the vast improvement of the NAACP.” Because he stood for right and what waa right for the NAACP and because of his outstanding support. "I believe that k why he was dween as the NAACP national board chair man. Ho will truly be missed. There BiB noi many ppopic wiin nprvp, the strength and the determination he exhibited throughout his life. He helped to open many doors for blacks and underprivileged. He al ways worked to sea that the under privileged were not taken advan tage of. He waa straightforward, aS?tivsimp»cfonaJ1?is*”* ^ Kelly Alexander Sr , born August 1M«», led a life that did not always reap with ease Dannelly became more familiar with what Alexander was trying to accomplish after the Alexander home was bombed No one was injured physically, but it ly provided mental torture. But the fight Alexander had started4galnat injustice was not to end. His membership in the NAACP since 1943; the years since 1949 served as president of the N.C. State NAACP would not be in vain. In - addition to his duties, he also owned the Alexander Funeral Home locat ed on North Irwin Ave., Charlotte. Such stamina awarded him many honors including being hailed as the first “Man of the Year” by The Charlotte Poet newspaper. The super strength that Alexander possessed was not the “Hercules” type strength. Instead, it was the strength of endurance and a strength that demanded equality for all people in every respect...that’s the Kelly Alexander no one will forget. Kelly Alexander Sr. is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons; Kelly Jr. and Alfred, both of Charlotte; one daughter-th law, Veronica; two brothers; Zachariah Alexander of Charlotte and Louis Alexander of New Jersey. Funeral arrangements were in complete atprCMtlme - *-^_ - - - ' •___^ I w-w> ' I ■
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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April 4, 1985, edition 1
11
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