Miami Herald - May 22, 2005
Ana Ribeiro, Herald Writer

The mom-and-pop, at 4929 NW 17th Ave., was the only African-American store in the area during the McDuffie riots 25 years ago, said Michelle's owner Eufaula Frazier. White-owned stores on the block were burned down and Michelle's was the only one left standing. Since then, Frazier said, she has witnessed her community in decline but has kept her doors open and her hopes high.

"I'd like to see this area come up again and be revitalized," said Frazier, adding that the black majority community is now a safer place for different ethnic groups and people are gradually settling back into the inner city. She said she expects business to rise in the area within the next few years.

Michelle's is one of the many small stores that line Northwest 17th Avenue and it is among 32 mom-and-pop businesses that got grants from the Neighbors and Neighbors Association and Miami-Dade County District 3 Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler on May 11. Frazier's son, Noland, who's the store manager, said the $5,000 grant will be used to fix the electricity and plumbing, as well as to buy merchandise.

Frazier, who came from Georgia in 1950, opened Michelle's in 1962 adjacent to her modest home. The store was managed by Frazier's daughter Michelle, after whom it is named, until two years ago, when Noland became manager and the only employee.

The store, which is open seven days a week, plans to hire "one or two" more employees next year.

"This store enhances the community," said long-time customer Tony Tate. ``It's close and efficient. Also, prices are good and it's in walking distance for the elderly who can't get transportation to go to Winn-Dixie."

Tate said buying at Michelle's means giving money back to the community, and people should support this store that, for decades, has been serving residents like himself with more than just groceries. Michelle's has become a sort of community outreach center, where ideas are born and gatherings are planned, Tate and Frazier said.

Tate said it was through Frazier, a community activist for some 40 years, that he found out about how to get involved in an AIDS awareness program and became a community counselor, with training from the Family Health Center.

Frazier said she holds AIDS/HIV counseling sessions at the store for small groups. Also, she said, she gets food supplies every three months or so from chiropractor Dr. Mark Silverman that she distributes to the poor.

"This store is small, but it does a lot for the community," said Tate.

Karl Johnson, another Michelle's regular, likes the fact that Michelle's Grocery helps the needy.

Michelle's Grocery is a small store in a low-income neighborhood that blends business with community service. Frazier didn't want to give figures but she said the business does not make a lot of money and she is thankful for the $5,000 grant from NANA.

"We're just trying to survive, to hang on," said Frazier.

Shopping Safari is a Herald feature that periodically sends reporters out to take a closer look at some of the stores in the neighborhood. If you have a strip mall or a mom-and-pop place you want us to check out, e-mail mhamaludin@herald.com.

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