Hank's
This building is a bar and grill at 108 New York Boulevard, Jamaica, New York persumed to be Hank's circa 1940s.
Current photo of the original Hank's building now listed as 108-04 Guy R. Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, New York.
The Hank's address was used as a venue for James C. Sheridan to address the United Colored Democracy.
A 1956 newspaper article reporting on Vincent Hank's death after he collapsed on his motorcycle driving on Corona avenue.
Known Name(s)
Hank's () Hank's ()
Address
108 New York Blvd. Jamaica, NY (1947)108-04 New York Blvd. Jamaica, NY (1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955)
Establishment Type(s)
Tavern
Physical Status
Extant
Description
Hank's was a tavern listed in the 1947-1955 Green Book issues. This establishment was listed when the 108 New York Boulevard address in 1947 and the following years at 108-04 New York Boulevard Jamaica, New York. According to a 1952 newspaper article, the establishment was described as a grill.
A 1940s image of the building shows a rectangular property near the corner of 108th Avenue and New York Boulevard. The building has a flat roof with decorative brackets underneath the eave. Below the roof line was one pane over one pane windows with a decorative flat lintel with a keystone atop each one. Based on a modern image of the building today each lintel features a decorative motif with leaves and a volute. In the 1940's image, the second story was clad brick. On the bottom level there was a doorway leading to residential apartments within the building towards the left. Whereas on the rest of the first floor had large display windows and a "Bar & Grill" sign on one and a main entry-way.
The building is now Xi Lae Ke Laundromat, which has the same appearance on the top story as the 1940s image with some chipping paint on the cornice. Now there is a large blue awning with the business's yellow logo over the door. The original bar and grill door was moved to the left near the residential door. Today on the right of the doorways are two large single pane windows with a metal fence in the front. There are some potted plants on the inside of that fence near the large windows.
Detailed History
Hank's Tavern was a bar and grill located on New York Boulevard in Jamaica, New York. In the 1920s, New York Avenue was changed to New York Boulevard then Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in 1982, after African American politician Guy Rollingsheim Brewer. Brewer was a Democratic assemblyman who held various positions in office and left a lasting impact on his community. The street runs from Jamaica Avenue to John F. Kennedy Airport and is one of the oldest roads in Jamaica, New York.
According to the 1950 census for the area around the 108-04 New York Boulevard address, this was a diverse largely African American neighborhood. In 1950, Hank's address was listed as vacant in the census, meaning any residential space above the tavern was vacant.
In years prior, the addresses had been used for other purposes. In 1925, the 108-04 New York Boulevard location was Cowan Hardware Co, which advertised an opening for a young male employee to drive a Ford truck for the business. Years later, in 1935, the same location was the site of the Pointer Democratic Club. According to a Long Island Daily Press article, the Pontier Democratic Club hosted James C. Sheridan, leader of the Democratic County, to speak to the United Colored Democracy. James E. Williams was the ceremony master and Walter E. Riefer introduced the speakers at the event. The same year, the Pontier Democratic Club had a meal cooked by Hattie Callwood while James E. Williams hosted an event by putting on a "bridge and whist tournament." The club installed new officers shortly after this meeting. Years later, in 1945, a testimonial dinner was held for the Democratic party leader of the 11th district, Pierce J. Whalen, and John F. Sweek, a head member of the party.
Hank’s tavern was listed in the Green Book from 1948 to 1955. Throughout its operation, the business had issues with crime. In 1944, a shooting occurred in the tavern as African American Lawrence Lightfoot was shot by Willie Lewis. Lightfoot claimed he was with friends in the tavern and Willie joined them while at the establishment. The victim stated Lewis was removed from the tavern by Vincent Hank for both drawing a knife and fighting, but Willie returned shortly after with a loaded gun and shot Lightfoot in the neck. The aggressor had a high bail set for the violation of the Sullivan Law and was charged with two cases of assault. Lightfoot survived, although he was hospitalized for eight days.
In 1943, an African American man was arrested outside the 108-04 location for bookmaking. During the years of 1946 to 1947 there was even more crime as Stanley York, a Jamaica resident, claimed an aggressor pulled a revolver on him after pushing him to the ground in Hank's. The culprits were five individuals including Ernie "Cat" Robinson who allegedly beat custom guard Stanley York. Ernie claimed differently as he stated he brushed York and in turn the customs guard hit him in the neck and started a fight and that Stanley's gun had fallen out of his pocket onto the floor. Lastly, in 1952, a man, Claude Straut, entered Hank's Tavern and opened fire resulting in a few customers being injured.
The owner and presumably namesake of Hank’s was Vincent Hank, an African American man from Lexington, Kentucky born September 25, 1895. He enlisted in the service on January 9, 1913, and throughout his time in the armed forces he had the role of Private for the 367th Infantry. In 1956, at the age 58, he died while driving on the Horace Harding Expressway. His car struck the back of another person's vehicle resulting in his death. There is no known information regarding Vincent Hank’s time working at Hank's Tavern.
