The Muslim Restaurant of Temple No. 7 on Lenox Avenue

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Muslim restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets, primarily known for healthful food, also offered a unique window into the dynamics of group culture. These establishments carried the names "Our Own," "Shabazz," or "Original" on their storefronts and reflected the Nation of Islam's system of cooperative economics. During the early sixties, this was particularly important since these restaurants were often located in close proximity to impoverished neighborhoods. Along with the restaurants and stores, the NOI acquired 15,000 acres of farmland in several states, created dairy and poultry farms, and owned cattle, warehouses, and cold-storage facilities.