Brian Burton

I grew up in Armory, which they later renamed Derek Turnbow. I lived at 520 and 521 Derek Turnbow. I remember coming down on Sundays to the Regal Cinema and also going to the State Cinema. I remember the old Taft, went there frequently. My favorite restaurant was Heavies, which was Black-owned. Oh man, they had the best grits, sausage, and eggs. And even if you didn’t have money, he would feed you. He was that type of man. If you were hungry, he would definitely feed you at no cost.

Mom always sent us to the Regal Cinema, and they showed karate flicks—mostly Bruce Lee. That was the thing to do. They had the best hot dogs and good popcorn, but you had to put your feet up on the seat because of the rodents that ran by. You had to be real careful not to drop your popcorn or hot dogs.

This picture brings back a lot of memories. It was family-oriented. All the kids went there. We’d come outside after the movie at the Regal and reenact karate scenes, playing with each other. That was always fun.

Then there was Big Louis’s—right behind the Regal. They made these big hamburgers we called the Big Louis. The sign still stands today. The store is now Jet In Jet Out, but the Big Louis sign is still there. I lived right nearby, so every time I looked out my window and saw that sign, it reminded me of being a kid—getting a cheeseburger or fries and a drink.

Here in the West End, I wish they would remodel the Regal and bring it back. Give these kids something to do.

When you came to the Regal, the lights and the pictures—those were the features. You could walk up and see what was playing. Come Sunday, you’d ask your parent for a dollar to go in. Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee—that was one of my favorites. It was a top movie.

Laurel Homes and Lincoln Courts—there was just something about those two sides of the community. One was on one side, the other on the other, and we all got along. Yeah, we all got along.