Interior after Closure

Interior after Closure
This photo was taken by the City of Cleveland shortly after Cafe Tia Juana was permanently closed in 1969. When the club was first opened, it was known for its plush and lavish interior. Charles L. Sallee Jr., the first African American graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, designed the club with unapologetic lavishness while incorporating a colorfully playful, so-called “Mexican style” with an element of posh sophistication, using velvet carpets and excessive draperies. “Using a south of the border theme, Sallee turned the space into a swank café, hanging large mirrors on the wall, laying down luxurious carpet, painting beautiful large Mexican themed murals, and creating a smooth ambiance with warm-colored spotlighting.”
| Creator: Warner Thomas, Photographer City of Cleveland | Date: July 30, 1969 | Source: Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection
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