I could not leave out the post I wrote on Hazel’s Cafe. What a treasure trove of Black History, such an important part of our area! Enjoy going back to a simpler time….go back to Hazel’s.
The address is 1166 Demere Road, the place is Hazel’s Cafe. Once situated in the thriving African American “South End” section of St. Simons Island. Hazel’s Cafe now sits as a reminder of what once was. The facade is faded, the windows a bit cloudy with age, but oh, if these walls could only talk…..there would be stories to tell!
Hazel Floyd and her husband, Thomas, opened the cafe in the late 1940’s. Thomas served in World War II and settled on the island with his wife after returning from battle.
The rest is history. I spent an hour with owner, Fred Marris who bought the property, including Hazel’s home next door to the cafe, in 1994. His plans for the property did not come to fruition, but he is dedicated to keeping both buildings preserved.
Inside Hazel’s Cafe it feels as though you are entering into another time. The original cash register sits on a stand by the front door, it’s drawer open as though waiting for the cashier to complete a transaction and close it.
The original bar still stands with a vintage “Budweiser” sign thay lights up when plugged in.
Photographs portraying the history of St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Brunswick are carefully hung on the walls and the old piano, once played for patrons enjoyment remains toward the back of the cafe.
Hazel and Thomas Floyd ran the cafe until 1978. The final health department inspection still hangs on the kitchen wall.
Fred shared stories about the cafe with me including the fact that Hazel would go crabbing all day when the season was in full swing. She would then come back to the cafe, pick through her catch and create fresh deviled crab for the special that night. She caught a 100+ at a time, my mouth watered at the thought of how delicious they must have been. The remains of the outdoor smoker sits shrouded in weeds, a reminder of barbecue and other meats served at the cafe.
The memories linger, the history lives on. Long time residents remember when South End was a bustling place with Wilma’s Dinner Theater located just across the street from Hazel’s Cafe and the neighborhood was a place to gather, share great food and entertainment.
