I received an e-mail from Bryan Whisenhunt, who says that, “One of the things I enjoyed and remember was Mr. Lube Middlebrooks’ place or restaurant…. I remember the old time hamburgers and fries were awesome.” Everyone who ever ate at Lube’s Place would probably agree. This is what Lube’s Place looked like in 1970:
This 35mm slide film has begun to deteriorate. The Coca-Cola sign says “Lube’s Place” and “Coffee Shop Used Furniture.” It’s not readily visible from this photo, but there was a horseshoe, for good luck, across the top of the entry door facing. This building was located on the northwest corner of Block 9.
As I recall, Mr. and Mrs. L. G. “Lube” Middlebrooks had this business for about 10 years, perhaps a little more. Mrs. Ida was in charge of the cooking and Mr. Lube was in charge of the conversation. Mrs. Ida passed away in 1979, and Mr. Lube died in 1984.
Shown below is how the building appeared 25 years earlier, on January 24, 1945, near the end of World War II. I’m not entirely sure of the soldier’s name, so I won’t hazard a guess.
Below is how the building appeared in 2001, shortly before it was demolished:
And below is a photo taken from approximately the same place and angle as the 1970 photo earlier today, May 23, 2008:
The tract is now occupied by the Bradley Fire Department’s building.
bradleyark.com 