A beacon family of tradition
Little more than a year ago, the legendary ghost of Jack Sussy welcomed a family friend into the space he last haunted when Ned's Starlite Lounge, 7301 N May Ave., opened.
The retro lounge and restaurant is named for two Neds both named Shadid; one a senior, the other a junior. Together, they're continuing a family tradition that began when Jack Sussy and Jake Samara introduced pizza to the 405 shortly after World War II.
“Jack Sussy and my dad were dear friends,” Ned Sr. said. “When he opened the first Sussy's on Robinson, my mom and dad managed it. Mom did a lot of recipes with Jack on the sauces and the dough. Jake owned the prohibition bars, and dad managed a couple of them.”
Taking over the former home of one local legend, father and son now embark on building one of their own. The 80 years of equity this faction of the House of Shadid has earned is a rock-solid foundation, and the first year of business validates Ned Sr.'s inclination to jump back into what the long-time caterer calls the “retail dining” business.
Like fathers, like sons
Leroy Shadid would've loved to be a champion prize-fighter, but a career record of 2-6-1 wasn't likely to bring home the bacon. It's easy to see why Samara would be quick to choose a guy to manage his nightclubs called the “Syrian Assassin,” but it would be Leroy's wife Virginia who had the natural-born skills to steer these Shadids into a life in hospitality.
“Dad was usually out front, but mom was always over that griddle,” Ned Sr. recalled. “She loved it, and took a lot of pride in it.”
The Shadids would work their way through a number of restaurants before they opened their own place, Leroy's Grill.
It was growing up in that environment that convinced young Ned Shadid there was no future in the restaurant business for him.
“After school I'd help go sweep and mop the floors,” Ned Sr. said. “You could see the hard work two people put into it, and I told myself, `There's got to be a better way.' But I wasn't smart enough to find it, and I think it's turned out pretty good.”
When his parents were ready to retire, their Leroy's Grill became the second Big Ed's Hamburgers, owned and operated by Ned's cousin Ed Thomas.
Starting in the mid 1970s, Big Ed's spread across the Oklahoma prairie like wildfire, growing to 32 locations at its height. Ned
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— Juanita, Midwest City
Y'ALL COME
DEAR MELBA: The Ruth Circle of New Hope United Methodist Church, 11,600 N Council Rd., will hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2. Please invite everyone to come. There will be crafts candles, jewelry, goodies, baby items and more. And, lunch will be available. For more bazaar information and booth rental information, readers can call 721-5015.
— Carola Smith, Oklahoma city
DEAR MELBA: You have mentioned our craft fair in past years in your column and we have really appreciated the increase in visitors! Could you please include the following information in an upcoming column?
On Nov. 2, we will be holding our seventh annual Craft Fair at Quail Springs United Methodist Church, 14617 N Pennsylvania. This one-day event will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Money raised through booth rentals, the bake sale, gift boutique, and food sales will benefit UMW mission projects. Please invite readers to come shop for a variety of items from crocheted blankets, quilts, holiday decorations to candy and books.
— Susan Wind
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