Justice Birch, Ware's Barbershop, Mitchell’s Café, Brother Pig's Meat Market

Need a haircut? You’ve come to the right place. Today you see Ware’s Barbershop that opened in 2005, but there’s another historic shop that was once here. James Jr. and Earl Ray Crowder opened their shop in 1918 near the location of today’s Municipal Auditorium. In 1954, the barbershop moved here to 1008 Jefferson Street. Facing the Ware’s Barbershop look to your right and locate a two-toned brick building. The original structure that stood here is gone, but the person who occupied an office here will be remembered forever. His name was Adolphus A. Birch. 

Born in 1932, Birch was the first African American chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. A graduate of Howard University Law School, he moved to Nashville in 1956 and opened a private practice. His office was located near 10th Ave. North. He represented students arrested during Civil Rights protests in the early 1960s. He later became the first African American Assistant District Attorney in Davidson County. After three years on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, he was elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1990. While on the bench, Birch served as Chief Justice three times. When he retired in 2006, the Davidson County Criminal Court building was named in his honor. Judge Birch was a brilliant legal mind, but more importantly, he was a community leader and role model for all.

We want to point out a few other well-known businesses near Birch’s law office. Across the street was Michell’s Café, which was once owned by Raymond Mitchell. Raymond was the grandfather of noted Nashville historian Dr. Reavis Mitchell, Jr., who taught at Fisk University from 1980 until his death in 2020. Mitchell’s Café was a staple on Jefferson Street, and Raymond often sat local church pastors at the window table to “give more prestige to his establishment.” No doubt the ministers’ presence also kept passersby in line as they walked in front of the café! 

Last but not least, next to Mitchell’s Café was Brother Pig Meat Market. This butcher shop opened in 1957, on the southwest corner of 10th Avenue North and Jefferson Street. They supplied meat, especially sausages and steaks, to residents and restaurants up and down Jefferson Street. Known for their advertising in the Nashville Banner and Tennessean newspapers—people loved Brother Pig’s catchy slogan, “It’s Cook Out Time!”

Next we’re headed to 1106 Jefferson Street. Look for Mary’s Bar-B-Que Pit and Mt. Zion Baptist Church on your right. To get there, exit the parking lot, turn RIGHT and continue along Jefferson Street. When you reach Eleventh Ave. North turn RIGHT to park at either Mary’s or Mt. Zion.