VJ's on the Runway: Difference between revisions
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[[Image: | [[Image:VJs on the Runway sign.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Fire-damaged sign for VJ's on the Runway]] | ||
'''VJ's on the Runway''' is a meat-and-three restaurant located at 5100 [[East Lake Boulevard]] in the [[Inglenook]] neighborhood of the [[East Birmingham]] community, overlooking the [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]]. | '''VJ's Cafe on the Runway''' is a meat-and-three restaurant located at 5100 [[East Lake Boulevard]] in the [[Inglenook]] neighborhood of the [[East Birmingham]] community, overlooking the [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]]. | ||
The restaurant was first opened in [[1950]] by [[Joe Smeraglia]] as '''East Side Barbecue'''. It was located in a [[1925]] commercial block on [[52nd Avenue North]] which served the small Italian-American [[Blow Gourd]] neighborhood. As the neighborhood was subsumed by airport expansion, the cafe survived and expanded to take up the entire row. Smeraglia's brother-in-law [[Vincent Sazera|Vincent Joseph Sazera]] bought the restaurant in [[ | The restaurant was first opened in [[1950]] by [[Joe Smeraglia]] as '''East Side Barbecue'''. It was located in a [[1925]] commercial block on [[52nd Avenue North]] which served the small Italian-American [[Blow Gourd]] neighborhood. As the neighborhood was subsumed by airport expansion, the cafe survived and expanded to take up the entire row. Smeraglia's brother-in-law [[Vincent Sazera|Vincent Joseph Sazera]] bought the restaurant in [[1976]] and renamed it VJ's. The business passed from Vincent and his wife [[Betty Sazera|Betty]] to their daughters [[Caroline Sazera]] and [[Teeter Barber|Tara "Teeter" Barber]]. | ||
As early as [[2000]] Sazera began working with airport officials to identify possible places to relocate the restaurant, which stood in the way of a planned north-south runway expansion. On [[June 24]], [[2005]] the restaurant's shut its doors in order to | [[Image:Vjs.jpg|left|thumb|375px|Photo of the original location on 52nd Avenue North.]] | ||
As early as [[2000]] Sazera began working with airport officials to identify possible places to relocate the restaurant, which stood in the way of a planned north-south runway expansion. On [[June 24]], [[2005]] the restaurant's shut its doors in order to relocate to the former [[Air National Guard Credit Union Building]] on East Lake Boulevard overlooking the airport. It reopened on [[July 11]] with many photographs and other decor in place, as well as the old building's tin ceiling. | |||
In [[2007]] Travelocity.com named VJ's on the Runway as one of 295 "Local Secrets, Big Finds" across the United States. | In [[2007]] Travelocity.com named VJ's on the Runway as one of 295 "Local Secrets, Big Finds" across the United States. | ||
The restaurant was destroyed by fire on the morning of [[November 30]], [[2012]]. Sazera has said that she plans to reopen as soon as possible. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2005) "VJ's off runway." | * Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2005) "VJ's off runway." {{BN}} | ||
* "[http://www.alabamaaviator.com/news.asp?record_no=453 VJ's Cafe on the Runway Moving to New Location]." (July 18, 2006) ''Alabama Aviator''. p. 5 | * "[http://www.alabamaaviator.com/news.asp?record_no=453 VJ's Cafe on the Runway Moving to New Location]." (July 18, 2006) ''Alabama Aviator''. p. 5 | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (June 27, 2007) "Travelocity.com names five state spots as `Local Secrets'." ' | * Williams, Roy L. (June 27, 2007) "Travelocity.com names five state spots as `Local Secrets'." {{BN}} | ||
* Carlton, Bob (November 30, 2012) "VJ's Cafe on the Runway owner says she hopes to rebuild after fire." {{BN}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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[[Category:East Birmingham community]] | [[Category:East Birmingham community]] | ||
[[Category:Meat and three restaurants]] | [[Category:Meat and three restaurants]] | ||
[[Category:1950 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:52nd Avenue North]] | [[Category:52nd Avenue North]] | ||
[[Category:East Lake Boulevard]] | [[Category:East Lake Boulevard]] | ||
[[Category:Burned buildings]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:20, 1 December 2012
VJ's Cafe on the Runway is a meat-and-three restaurant located at 5100 East Lake Boulevard in the Inglenook neighborhood of the East Birmingham community, overlooking the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
The restaurant was first opened in 1950 by Joe Smeraglia as East Side Barbecue. It was located in a 1925 commercial block on 52nd Avenue North which served the small Italian-American Blow Gourd neighborhood. As the neighborhood was subsumed by airport expansion, the cafe survived and expanded to take up the entire row. Smeraglia's brother-in-law Vincent Joseph Sazera bought the restaurant in 1976 and renamed it VJ's. The business passed from Vincent and his wife Betty to their daughters Caroline Sazera and Tara "Teeter" Barber.
As early as 2000 Sazera began working with airport officials to identify possible places to relocate the restaurant, which stood in the way of a planned north-south runway expansion. On June 24, 2005 the restaurant's shut its doors in order to relocate to the former Air National Guard Credit Union Building on East Lake Boulevard overlooking the airport. It reopened on July 11 with many photographs and other decor in place, as well as the old building's tin ceiling.
In 2007 Travelocity.com named VJ's on the Runway as one of 295 "Local Secrets, Big Finds" across the United States.
The restaurant was destroyed by fire on the morning of November 30, 2012. Sazera has said that she plans to reopen as soon as possible.
References
- Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2005) "VJ's off runway." The Birmingham News
- "VJ's Cafe on the Runway Moving to New Location." (July 18, 2006) Alabama Aviator. p. 5
- Williams, Roy L. (June 27, 2007) "Travelocity.com names five state spots as `Local Secrets'." The Birmingham News
- Carlton, Bob (November 30, 2012) "VJ's Cafe on the Runway owner says she hopes to rebuild after fire." The Birmingham News
External links
- Local Secrets, Big Finds:Alabama at Travelocity.com