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Bozo's Is More Than Just Good Food, It's a Piece of Tennessee's History
The history of BOZO'S is a story of the Williams Family and the thousands of families they have served over the years. Each person who has eaten as BOZO'S has their own memories and ideas of why it is such a special place, but to our family, it is more than 100 years of hard work and dedication that our great grandparents began and that has been passed down over the years. Interestingly enough, however, it has not stayed in the family for all of those years. It has seen a few different owners, all of which have put their own heart into it and helped shape it into what it is today. We are proud to say that it has made its way back into the family and is on a whole new journey of growth and new traditions are being made.
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One thing that has stayed the same over the years has been our tried-and-true BOZO'S recipes. The same sauces, rubs, sandwiches, slaw, along with the other things that you enjoy at BOZO'S are the same recipe that the Williams family has used since 1923. We believe in keeping traditions and staying true to the vision that Mr. BOZO had all of those years ago.
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Over the years, new traditions have also formed in our family and in others' families as they have visited BOZO'S. For some people, our restaurant is their go-to for their birthday each year, for some, this is a traditional meeting spot with friends each week, for some it is a family tradition to bring home a BOZO'S to-go plate every Friday night for family dinner. No matter the occasion, BOZO'S is here and ready to serve quality, good food.
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In regards to the history of BOZO'S, its roots run deep. From the opening of the original building in 1923, to the building and opening of the building that you can dine-in inside of now in 1950, to the massive trademark dispute with Bozo the Clown in the late 80's and early 90's, BOZO'S story is one of trials, successes, and great faith that everything would be worth it, and today, we are proud to say it was worth it every step of the way to have met some of the most incredible people. With all of that being said, some of the history of the Williams' Family and the BOZO'S restaurant is still being uncovered today and it seems like we learn something new or find a new document each week. One thing that we are passionate about is sharing the BOZO'S legacy with you, so we are going to be sharing some of the discoveries with you here on this website and on our Facebook page. Stay tuned for the newest portion of our website that is coming soon called "The Archives" where you will actually be able to access and see some of those old documents and pieces of history that have made BOZO'S into what it is today.
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For now, enjoy this brief history of BOZO'S restaurant and come dine-in with us to get a feel and taste of the BOZO'S legacy and hospitality.
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The First Building
BOZO'S was founded in January of 1923 by Thomas Jefferson "Bozo" Williams. The first building was so small, there was no room for tables, so everyone was served at the counter (a "pig" sandwich sold for just 15 cents!). The first building was located where the First Baptist Church of Mason currently stands on the opposite (east) end of town. During the early 1920's the road that connected Memphis to Nashville was a winding road that looped through Fayette County before crossing the railroad tracks at Mason and continuing down Washington Street (where the church is located). In 1925, portions of what is now Highway 70 were completed, so Mr. Williams looked to find a better sight located on the west end of town.
The Second Location & Mr. Bozo's Passing
In 1925, BOZO'S moved into a small building located on the land that the current restaurant occupies. This restaurant, in use until 1933, was a combined Bar-B-Q restaurant and Shell Gasoline Station. During the first few years, it operated with only a counter. A side room was later added for a few tables. Bozo Williams rented this property during his years on the current side of the street. After a few years, he saved enough money to purchase the land across the street (where the Bank of Mason currently stands). In 1933, he moved his restaurant across the road into a white, wood-framed building.
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This white building, in use from 1933 to 1941, was the largest Bozo's restaurant yet and had a counter, along with a room for 8 tables and a pot-belly stove. A carport roof protected the two gas pumps out front. The Bar-B-Q pit was located at the back of the building and there was a small room for Bozo Williams to sleep at night.
Mr. Williams continued to operate BOZO'S until his death from pneumonia in 1935. During his marriage to Fannie Cotton Richardson Williams, Bozo was known as "Papa" to his 11 children. At the time of his death, 4 children remained in the Williams household and they became the heirs and co-owners of BOZO'S. Many customers can tell you about their favorite story or of their friendship with Miss Iris, Rubye, Helen, or Mr. Allen Williams.
The Fire of 1941
Fire destroyed the second building in the fall of 1941, and America was thrust into World War II after Pearl Harbor. No specific reason for the fire was ever determined, but one story is simply that the pit cook fired the meat heavily, then left the pit unattended, causing the fire.
The Third Building and The War
Another white, wood-framed building was finished in 1942 and looked very similar to the burned-out building except a little bit larger. There were not any gas pumps at this building. During World War II, BOZO'S added many of the salads and sandwiches that are still on the menu today. This menu expansion was necessary because pork deliveries were limited to once weekly during the war. The Williams family also did its part to serve its country during the war. Miss Helen joined the Women's Army Air Corps to serve in flight towers at Army Air Corps bases, Miss Rubye worked at the Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, Mr. Allen did security duty at the Naval Base in Millington, and Miss Iris stayed home to take care of the family business. After the war, Miss Helen, Miss Rubye, and Mr. Allen came back to help run BOZO'S on a full or part-time basis.
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There are many colorful stories that customers tell us about the building across the road. Many remember the slot machines in the old building. Hot sauce was poured into empty whiskey bottles and placed on the tables. And yes, you could even enjoy a cold beer with your Bar-B-Q. Many local residents remember the carload of Mexicans traveling from New York to Mexico City that lost control of their car and plowed in the front porch of the restaurant.
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This building was also the victim of a fire in Fall of 1949. Miss Helen suspected a gas leak since the gas line had been installed only a week or two before the fire, but there is no evidence that her suspicions were correct.
When word of the fire reached newspapers, offers of help came from friends, family, and customers. Mr. Harry Coleman of Covington arranged for the delivery of 5 army surplus quonset huts to serve dining areas. One hut was used for the kitchen and storage area, and the last hut served as the Bar-B-Q pit. Help came so quickly that the Williams family was back in business just 7 days after being completely burned out.
The Current BOZO'S Restaurant Is Built
Construction began in January 1950 on the present BOZO'S Bar-B-Q building. During the years after 1933, the Williams had been able to purchase the land were BOZO'S now stands. The new restaurant opened for business on Wednesday, April 5th, 1950. Customers and friends sent so many flowers that there was barely room for customers at the counter on that busy Easter weekend. Car hops delivered food to cars during the first year of two in the new building. The restaurant was air conditioned in 1952, becoming one of the first buildings in Mason and Tipton County to have that luxury. Walker Chevrolet donated a clock in 1950 upon the opening that still keeps time today. Business was so brisk that an automatic dishwasher was also installed within just a month or two of the new building being opened.
The Next Four Decades
Change was not something that happened very quickly at BOZO'S, but of course, some changes were inevitable during the next 4 decades. The Williams family started a tradition of closing for 2 weeks vacation starting on Labor Day in 1945 and continued this practice until 1988. The restaurant also closed on Mondays until 1960.
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From 1960 to 1994, the restaurant closed on Sundays. In January 1995, BOZO'S started closing on both Sundays and Mondays in order to have more time with their families. In 1963, sweet (mild) Bar-B-Q sauce was introduced to accompany the famous Hot Sauce. Beer continued to be sold until the early 60's, and no one could here their favorite songs on the juke box until the early 70's. Busses continued to stop at BOZO'S until the interstate opened in 1968. The neon sign that graced the front of the building was installed the same November day that President John F. Kennedy was killed. The neon sign was replaced in 1998 by a new neon sign patterned after the old sign. IN 1988, Coca Cola Company discontinued the popular returnable bottles that were once a unique feature at BOZO'S. The only major recent addition to the menu occurred in 1991 when BOZO'S added onion rings.
Wonderful Employees & New Ownership
Many employees have enjoyed long careers at BOZO'S. Mannie Taylor started chopping Bar-B-Q in 1964. Julia Wright began waiting tables in 1967, and Lottie Dowell started cleaning dishes in 1972. Here are some of the people who worked longer than 10 years at BOZO'S : Annie Bond, Doris and Wayne Hamby, Earnestine Jones, Lucky Kimble, Alma Twisdale Lane, Ernest Lauderdale, Dorothy Maclin, Shorty Whitmore, and Thelma Yarbrough. Also, many members of the Williams' family worked at BOZO'S through the years, the most notable being T.J and Lexie Williams and Dot Cottam (who helped manage the restaurant from 1979 to 1990). And sadly, there have been some deaths of family members as well. Miss Fannie Williams (Bozo's wife) passed away in 1960. Miss Iris Williams died in 1963, Mr. Allen Williams passed in 1972. Miss Rubye Williams passed away in June 1991 after a long period of illness.
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Jeff Thompson, the former owner of BOZO'S, began working at the restaurant at the age of 14. He is the great-nephew of Miss Helen Williams and great-grandson of BOZO Williams. Jeff started cleaning tables during the summer of 1972 and continued to work summer vacations for six of the next eight years. Jeff studied restaurant management at the University of Tennessee, and worked several years for two restaurant chains in Atlanta before returning to take over the family business. Miss Helen passed away in 2004. Jeff Thompson kept Bozo's restaurant until 1999 when he sold it to Hayne Ozier. Hayne continued to serve Bozo's famous Bar-B-Q until June 2008.
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In June 2008, John and Cindy Papageorgeon bought Bozo's and continue to sere the same quality Bar-B-Q as the previous owners have since 1993. In 2023, Greg (the great, great grandson of Bozo Williams) and his wife, Amy Williams, have joined back into the family business and now own and manage the restaurant and are on a mission to share the BOZO'S story.
BOZO'S Bar-B-Q VS. Bozo the Clown
In the late 80's and early 90's, the trademark dispute with Bozo the Clown dominated the customer's attention. It started in October of 1982, when Miss Helen filed to register the business name, BOZO'S for federal trademark. Larry Harmon, who claims to be the original Bozo the Clown, and who holds all of the copyrights and trademarks for the character, decided to oppose Miss Helen's application for the trademark. But Mr. Harmon ran into some problems,. First of all, BOZO'S Bar-B-Q was open at least two decades before he created his character. Secondly, the restaurant had never used the clown in any advertising. If Mr. Harmon was to block Miss Helen's application, he would have to find a legal technicality to stop the registration. Mr. Harmon filed his opposition, claiming that BOZO'S was just a small local restaurant without the inter-state patronage to justify a federal trademark, and just like the help received after the 1949 fire, Miss Helen turned to her customers to help her with the legal case. Customers from all over country wrote affidavits explaining how they were out-of-state customers of BOZO'S.
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The patent and trademark office decided in favor of BOZO'S Restaurant and dismissed the Clown's opposition in January 1989. Mr. Harmon was not pleased with this ruling. So he appealed the case to Federal Appeals court in Washington D.C. in April 1991. This court again ruled for the restaurant into of the clown. Mr. Harmon continued to press his case to the Supreme Court of the United States. In October 1991, the Supreme Court decided not the hear the case and left standing the restaurant's favorable Appellate Court Ruling. The legal battle was a tough one, but our attorneys did a superb job of presenting the case. The story of this case has also been on of great interest to the news media from coast to coast. Customers all over the country have sent copies of the articles that were printed in their local newspapers whenever a new development hit the press wires.
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COMING SOON : "THE BOZO'S ARCHIVES"
WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE READ REAL HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND SEE REAL IMAGES FROM BOZO'S PAST
BOZO'S Today
In 2025, BOZO'S is still operating out of that same building in Mason, TN that was built in 1950. While many locals visit the restaurant often, we also have many customers that come visit us regularly from Jackson, Brownsville, Ripley, Dyersburg, and even some that are passing through on their way from one state to another. Whether you are looking for a small, local business to support for dinner one night or you want to start a new family tradition, you will be pleased to experience the BOZO'S hospitality.
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Our recipes are still the same too: the same sauce that you could enjoy on your "pig" sandwich in 1923 is still available today both on the table to dine-in, or you can purchase your very own souvenier bottle of sauce to take home and enjoy.