BH Commission Approves Honorary Street Name Change

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved an honorary street name change to salute a local restaurant icon. James “Babe” Couvelis died last year at the age of 84 after running Babe’s Lounge on Riverview Drive for 57 years. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners gave the green light to the honorary name change of Riverview between Empire and Britain to Babe Couvelis Street. Babe’s son, James, was on hand.

“It’s an honor, and I’m sure my dad is very happy,” Couvelis told WSJM. “He loved Benton Harbor, and he stuck it out. Nothing could drag him out of Benton Harbor, no matter what happened. He stuck around.”

Babe’s wife, Pauline, said she knows he’s looking down and is pleased. Mayor Marcus Muhammad says the commission will schedule a date to celebrate the installation of a sign on the street marking the change whenever the sign is ready. He also commended Babe for staying in the community through the good times and tough times.