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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
20-252
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 23, 2014
To recognize and honor the Florida Avenue Grill on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its founding.
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill was founded in 1944 by Bertha and Lacey C. Wilson, Sr.;
WHEREAS, Lacey C. Wilson, Sr., a shoe-shine man, saved his tips to open a 2-stool eatery with his wife, starting each day with just 2 chickens;
WHEREAS, Bertha Wilson took the earnings from selling those 2 chickens as meals and bought 2 more chickens;
WHEREAS, Bertha and Lacey C. Wilson, Sr., continued this process during the early days of the restaurant that would become the legendary Florida Avenue Grill;
WHEREAS, Bertha and Lacey C. Wilson, Sr., owned and operated the Florida Avenue Grill (affectionately nicknamed “The Grill”) until they sold it to their son, Lacey C. Wilson, Jr., in 1970;
WHEREAS, Lacey C. Wilson, Jr., owned and operated the Florida Avenue Grill from 1970 to 2005;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill is currently owned by Imar L. Hutchins;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill is located in Ward 1 at 1100 Florida Avenue, N.W.;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill is the oldest soul food restaurant in Washington and is known to be the oldest continuously operating soul food restaurant in the world;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill caters to District residents from all across the city, promoting friendship and social exchange among patrons of all ages;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill has a rich diversity of clientele that reflects the surrounding community and the District as a whole;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill has served such notables as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Vice President Joe Biden, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Denzel Washington, Rev. Al Sharpton, Lena Horne, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill was featured as a set of the 1983 comedy D.C. Cab starring Adam Baldwin, Gary Busey, and Mr. T;
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill was featured on the 7th season opener of the Travel Channel show “Bizarre Foods America” that highlighted the Grill’s traditional Southern, soul food menu; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Avenue Grill has helped change the community and is an exemplary reminder of the rich history of the U Street, N.W., area and surrounding neighborhoods.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia honors and commends the Florida Avenue Grill for its invaluable contributions to the quality of life, communities, and bellies of the District’s residents for over 70 years.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Florida Avenue Grill 70th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2014”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
