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Charlie Johnson RIP
02/27/2010 11:08 AM by John M
The RTD published last week the obituary for Charlie Johnson, aka the long-time owner of the 4 buildings at North 27th and East Marshall Streets:
JOHNSON, Mr. Charlie J. Jr., of Richmond, departed this life January 30, 2010. Remains rest at Walter J. Manning Funeral Home, 700 N. 25th St. Funeral notice later.
Charlie was an icon on the hill. I’ll miss seeing him presiding over the goings on at Marshall and 27th. Rest in Peace, brother…
I noted that the death notice says he passed on January 30th and the notice was dated February 20th (nearly one month later) and his body was still at the funeral home. ot sounding morbid but was his body “found” later in his apartment hence the dates? And what will now happen to that building… the only one of the 4 left he owned over the years?
Charlie has been on the block since the early 1960s but use to live on ‘M’ Street prior to that and was a truck driver for the newspaper. He and his wife Emma Mae ran the 27th Street Inn restaurant until about 1979 when it was converted to another Laundromat (large loads. The building he lived in (400 N 27th) had a Pool Hall in it also until about 1979.. that was the year everything changed and he went all Laundromat.
He always waved when you passed by and kept an eye on the houses on the block. His daughters are going to suffer the most with his passing.
Yes, Charlie always waved. Didn’t know him well, but he was always kind to us when we lived down the street on 27th and would see him on our walks to the Quick Chek. We enjoyed his neighborliness, for sure.
Charlie was one of a kind, sorry to hear that he has passed.
When I lived on the last block of E. Broad Street a number of years ago I would occasionally do laundry at his laundromat on the NE corner of 27th. If you needed change for the machines, you went and rang Charlie’s bell at his house, and he would open the 2nd story windown and lower a little bucket down that was tied to a piece of rope. You put your money in the bucket, and he lowered you down your quarters. He was invariably wearing a shower cap as he did this.
Comment #5, “Clay Street”; that story is awesome! I’m sorry I didn’t know him!
We have run across people on the street who are talking and asking about Charlie but seems no one is giving any information as to the cause of his death – kind of hush-hush…odd?
For the historians. At one time Charlie did own all 4 corner buildings (4-corners Charlie).
He lived in 400 N 27th which he bought in 1969 for only 12k.
The other three buildings were 324 N 27th – which was last a small antique shop still owned by Sandra Murray. He bought that in 1975 and sold it in 2003 to her.
325 N 27th which was the old 27th Street Inn, he bought in 1969 and has changed hands a couple of times since. Charlie and his wife must have worked or rented the building in the early 60s but didn’t purchase it until later. He sold that one in 2005 to Sandra Murray who in turn sold it in 2009 to East Marshall LLC which is now working on it.
And last but not least is the historic 401 N 27th building (built 1815) which is at a stall right now. He purchased that in 1968 and it too has switched hands several times – selling it to Sandra Murray’s brother Patrick Murray in 2004 and most recently a “transfer” of zero dollars to a Lessie Hembrick who must be related to Walter York this past September.
There was a Rehab Application on file #20060279 that has been cancelled as of February 2nd. Seems like all permits have expired including the fence barricade some 2-years ago. There was a stipulation that the original wood facade on the back section had to be used but never happened. It is a mess and still held up by people who could care less about historic preservation.
Three of the buildings were converted into Laundromats by 1979 but building code violations caused them to become condemed and forced to sell two of them them off – especially the 401 building.
Eric
“We have run across people on the street who are talking and asking about Charlie but seems no one is giving any information as to the cause of his death – kind of hush-hush…odd?”
Maybe because it’s none of our business.
Mike, it is just human nature to be curious especially with such odd circumstanced. Part is concern about Charlie while part is concern about the neighborhood in case there was some foul play involved. When there is a month gap between the time of death and the death notice, no formal obituary and still no funeral, that makes you wonder.
I have been most curious about my brother’s death since I heard he died. He was found in his car unresponsive at the Walgreens parking lot (Laburnum Ave and Mechanicsville Turnpike) around 1 am on Jan 30, 2010. The family was not notified until middle February that his body was in the morgue since that time. Thank you all for your concern as I grieve the loss of my brother.
#10 Edith, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Edith,
I too am sorry for your loss. Charlie was sort of a character icon within our neighborhood. I do hope his passing was by natural causes and he went quickly and if he was found in his car, sounds like it. Please let us know if you find out more and stay on top of the incompetent city for not making a better effort finding his family!
Eric
Thank you all for sharing your sincere memories of my Grandfather; he was indeed an outstanding individual. For many of you who do not know, my grandfather died of Cardiovascular Disease (heart attack) January 30th, 2010. He was found unconscience in his car at an area Walgreens when the authorities were notified and he was later transported to MCV hospital where he was declared dead.
My mother (Charlie’s daughter) contacted the authorities to place a missing person report after noticing my grandfather had been missing for approx. 3weeks. It was at this time uniform officers and detectives came to my mothers place of employment to relay the egregious info regarding my Grandfathers passing. His memories will forever live in the our hearts and his gracious spirit will breathe through all of his friends and family. May the Lord our God bless you all!
Randal,
Thank you for sharing that information. It puts many minds at ease that there was no foul play involved with his untimely death. He will be missed on the block. I am just ashamed of our city law enforcement and officials that could not try to find relatives or possibly place his driver’s license or other picture on TV on the local news to see if anyone recognized him. My brother died in Iowa and no one knew how to contact family so this was how he was identified.
It would be very unusual for Charlie to leave for more than a day from his apartment. I have never known to see him be away very long so 3-weeks in itself seemed unusually long to feel like something was askew?
Eric
Eric,
You seem to keep up with the block quite well. What’s going to happen to 401, is anything ever going to happen to that property?
The current owner “Lessie Hembrick” was the financier for the previous owner.
I have noticed a business has been opened in the old barber-shop facing E-Marshall St., and it’s been painted pepto-bismol pink. Did anyone complain to ARC about that change in color. Does the business have a permit, and he also has a for rent sign in the vacancy next-door.
They haven’t been brought up to code as far as I know for any business to be opened in either of them.
Isn’t there anything legally that can be done to force the owner to do something with the building.
It’s a health hazard to the neighborhood, all a child would have to do is move the fence. A very deep hole has been dug b/t 401 & 403. It once was the sidewalk that lead to the second floor of 401 steps.
Let me know what could if anything be done about this situation. Have you thought about drawing up a petition, and have everyone sign it.
Thanks,
The property my grandfather currently owns will be taken care of by the family. His attorney is aware of all current conditions and all proceedings are pending. Thank you for your concern.
Randel,
I was actually expressing concern about 401 N. 27th. St.
Charlie sold 401 in 2004, and barely anything has been done to the property.
I knew Charlie, and I’m sorry he passed away. However, I am sure he’s with the Lord getting a long deserved rest.
Hope you and your family will be able to get through this with the Lord’s help.
Remember the Lord is just a word away..
View,
I wish I could say I do know what is happening with 401 N 27th (Wills Grocery Store Building built 1815) but nearly all of my emails to the city go unanswered since Ray Abbasi took over.
I did see someone working over there yesterday for a few minutes taking the wooden section street facing panels off.
To me it is a dead project and should be sold off to someone with interests in historical buildings and knows what to do with them.
The corners were developed in an era when community businesses thrived and where people walked a lot or took the trolley (which ran down Marshall St.) and those days have long gone. The business sector moved to Broad and then also died. Anything off the main thoroughfare is “out of sight out of mind” so won’t be successful and then now have parking issues… something not a problem in the aforementioned era.
Too bad Charlie didn’t have the interest or money to do right restoring the historical building since a Laundromat is still about the only real business that would survive there especially if the person owned the building. Possibly the building Charlie lived in could be converted to one as a testament to him since it isn’t a “historical” building in the normal sense but one built as a commercial building in the late 1890s. I know Charlie had the best dryers around… one quarter and your clothes were dry!
Eric
BTW… the building that Charlie lived in was originally built as a Drug Store.
I’ve noticed there are some people working on 401 this week.
Did the property sell to someone else, or is the current owner finishing the renovation?
Thanks,
The current owner is FINALLY finishing the renovation process.
Randel,
What do you mean finally finsihed the renovation process??
He’s finally gotten all his permits b/c nothing’s been done to ‘401’ in years.
The building in the 300 block on the odd side of the street looks great!!!
The other one in the 300 block on the even numbered side of the street still needs a lot of exterior work in my opinion. However, it does look a lot better than 401.
I hate how the owner of the 300 even side has used those metal framed windows, and really didn’t restore anything. She just remodeled to a point…
Does anyone know if Charlie’s family is going to try and sell 400 N. 27th. St.
That building needs a lot of work as well!!
I meant the current owner is continuing the renovation phase of 401 N. Yes, 400 needs a lot of work, but in do time it will look just as good as the “odd bldg” on the 300 block.
I believe some people still thought Charlie owned all 4 buildings when he died but that is incorrect. He only owned the one he lived in at 400 N 27th, the other 3 buildings he sold off years ago. Two he sold to a brother and sister (Patrick and Sandra Murray).. the brother owned 401 (2004) and the sister owned 324 (2005) (the old Happy Stop and Church Hill Antiques)and still owns it. She also owned 325 which is the one which was just rennovated but sold that off in 2009.
401 was transferred a couple of different times with family transfers to buy time (Murray to York) with the current owner being Lessie Hembrick as of 2009. Several permits on that building had expired and I raised a stink with the city recently which is why you saw some activity last week. It was condemned again this time for lead paint and the barrier fence removed with permits expired years ago. The windows in that building are still incorrect and CAR said they were aware of it and was going to press to have them changed but that was last year. Not sure what current status is since no one at the city will speak to me right now?
As far as Charlie’s building, the family only a couple weeks ago removed his property so it is still within the estate. Not sure if they will sell or what but they are aware of the repairs needed.
Eric
Thanks Eric, seems like you have a watchful eye on the most current activities in the area. Is it unfortunate that the current owner of 401 is pretty lax and hasn’t done much. My only prayer is that it turns out better than expected. My mother and I have a lot of work ahead, but I assure you all will be taken care of and the new face of 400 N will be pleasing to the entire churchhill community and my grandfather will definately be pleased :).
Randal,
I have been fighting ever since 2004 when the 401 N Laundromat was condemned and your grandfather forced to sell it off. Murray gutted it and saw it was beyond his means to repair it due to age and think he was hoping it would fall down being open to the elements for years. Unfortunately owned by people who could care less about its historical significance and would rather do a quick fix, is not good enough and will keep fighting until it is fixed up to its proper historical accuracy and glory. It isn’t all the owner’s fault because the city is just as guilty letting things slide year after year! Hopefully now that 325 has been fixed up properly these fly by night owners will do 401 right? Just that part of the building (the wooden section on back of 401 built in 1856) was destroyed rather than salvaged per approved CAR plans. Shysters who pulled a fast one on the city and with that mentality you can’t expect too much.
Eric
Randal… I see a light burning often on the first floor of your grandfather’s building (400 N 27th). Is someone living there or things happening to prepare for a rennovation? How are things coming along in that respect?
You can see the owners of the building across at 401 are still playing games and just doing “a little” to say they are working on it but is too little too late… it is sloppy, not properly done nor within codes nor plans drawn up a couple years back (almost 2 years to the date).
I see activity going on with Charlie’s old building he lived in. What is happening with it? Hope something good according to his grandson above?
I am cross posting here – had left this comment on the OMG Cafe thread as well because of the restaurant conversation but fits better here:
If someone wanted to open up a restaurant, Charlie Johnson’s old building would be one candidate (400 N 27th) and was one from 1955 on (Brown’s Restaurant) until it was a Laundromat and the 1/2 address a pool hall until 1979. The building was originally Fleshman’s Pharmacy and then in 1934 Hord’s Drug Store. I am speaking of the building Charlie lived in himself, not the one where House of Homemade Bakery and Commissary is moving into at 325 N 27th (2707 E Marshall) and think will be run by Bettina Pamplona of Sodexho and not the old historic 401 building currently in spot blight proceedings. It has a nice first floor plan, a corner building with corner entrance, and street level windows to look in to.
Problem with Charlie’s building is that the exterior looks fine but it needs to sold as a “shell” because the interior is uninhabitable. Trash is piled up everywhere. Can’t even get to the second floor or basement because the stairs are dilapidated and the real estate agent wouldn’t even venture up them! The roof needs replaced also so… one would have a clean canvas interior wise. A shame too. The building isn’t that old, built in 1921 (I researched it) and still has remnants of the mosaic tile floors and tin panel ceilings. But the price is a hell of a lot better than what they are asking for the 401 building – $186k and I am sure can be negotiated! Only problem would be with any of these residential corner business buildings… parking. It is on the market though and someone had thought about a grocery store there but was looking for a more turnkey location.
Eric
For anyone interested, the building Charlie Johnson lived in (400 N 27th – 2614 E Marshall) was sold on November 15th to North 400 LLC (aka Karen Kellman) for $71k … the same person who restored the building opposite that has the bakery – sandwich shop.
Permits are up and interior demolition started. They will also remove the old stucco on the facade which doesn’t belong. No plans yet as for use.
Eric
Update… the second floor of the building is being developed as a 3-bedroom apartment for the developer’s family and the first floor business hasn’t been determined yet.