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The Garage On The Corner

 
Lawrence Gilliam’s Garage, 6513 Laura Koppe Rd, is a Landmark in Northeast, Houston, Texas.
Bro. Gillian have been repairing cars on this “corner” for over Forty Years. He has seen this part of the City turn from the outskirts to being a vibrant part of the inter City. The garage specializes in brakes, transmissions and generators, the lifeline of the older model cars. When cars are not being repaired, this corner is a favorite meeting place for a select group of Senior Citizens to congregant, play domino and discuss world affairs.
On any given day the conservation may consist of the Bible, the Election, the difference between Bush and Kerry and even the new kid on the block Barrack Obama.
On this sunshiny day “long time transplanted” Houstonians Lawrence Gilliam (Bethany LA) and Thomas Green (Summerville TX) was giving a seminar on 5th Ward, and how Lyons Avenue was a lifeline to the community. There were many clubs, barbershops, beauty shops, shoe repaire shops, cafes and rib joints but the conversation on this day was about the Club Matinee in particular.

The Club Matinee was located in the 3200 block of Lyons Avenue across the street from the Deluxe Theater. According to (Green) the Matinee was not only one of the finest nightclubs for black folks in Houston but in Texas.
Man! He said, you had to have on a coat (Jacket) to get in the place.
Another voice “sounded out” you put on your good clothes to even go down on Lyons Avenue. (Those from that period in time “if they had the notion Second that Emotion.”) Then the conversation was interrupted when somebody shouted its “big six down.”