Ebay has a classic image of the pride evinced by Black small businesses in Harlem during the depression.

The address was low enough that if it was an avenue, it had to be Adam Clayton or Lenox. And, while 645 could be way out west, near Riverside drive on, say, 135th Street, businesses like this are more likely to be found on avenues, rather than streets.

One other interesting clue is the clear shadow, indicating that this business (if on an avenue) was on the west side of the street.

Keying in 645 Lenox into Google Street View, showed nothing but green scaffolding and plywood:

Indeed, I had to go back to 2014’s Street View to finally see what the building looked like under the scaffolding:

The Beauty Salon at 645 was the right size, but the NYCHA brick entryway with their ubiquitous stainless steel door, looked nothing like the entry hinted at in the historic photo.

Note, however, the entablature above the door and compare that to the historic photo:

NYCHA or a previous owner, had stripped away the limestone, carved fish-scale pilaster that supported the entablature, and replaced it with brick.

In addition, looking at the location of the cellar access, showed that this location was indeed 645 Lenox:

Chinese Speakers With Limited English Proficiency

A map of communities where Chinese speaking residents have limited English proficiency. Note that East Harlem, just above 96th Stree, has the densest concentration in our community.

To explore an interactive map, click HERE.