Manufacturer: Shenango China
User: Occidental Restaurant
Date of plate: 1953

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Notes: Jim Haley's upscale Occidental Restaurant was located at 212-14 N. Eighth St., in Richmond, Va., advertising "live lobsters the year 'round." It was built by Richmond contractors Doyle & Russell and opened in 1927, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

From a story in the Dec. 30, 1968, issue of the Times-Dispatch: James and Eula Haley "operated the Occidental at 212 N. Eighth St. for more than a quarter-century before they sold it in 1950 and retired. The restaurant remained open until 1955.

"In 1959, at the urging of former customers, Mr. and Mrs. Haley opened 'Jim Haley's Original Occidental Restaurant' at 5716 Grove Ave. in the West End.

…

"The Grove Avenue restaurant was sold in 1965 to Morton G. Thalhimer, Inc., a Richmond real estate firm. The building is now a branch office of the firm."

The restaurant was documented circa 1936 with the publication of an illustrated 10-page advertising booklet titled "The story of an Occidental ham; a little nursery rhyme for grown-up children," part of the Brown University library collection. And photographer Adolph B. Rice took photos of the Occidental in 1960; see images above.

The plate is decorated with a brown checkerboard design on the border, interrupted with the restaurant's MORNING NOON NIGHT rising or setting sun logo.

Contributors:
ID and photos of plate contributed by Susan Phillips
Photo of matchbook contributed by mgk_man
Photos of restaurant courtesy the Library of Virginia Digital Collections