Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio
Stories and trivia from a beloved Kent Institution

Meet Me at Ray’s celebrates more than seventy-five successful years (and counting) of Ray’s Place, a restaurant and bar located near the Kent State University campus in Kent, Ohio. Once referred to as the place “where the hustlers meet to hustle the hustlers,” Ray’s Place has survived decades of trends, changes, and events. Hundreds of students have worked there, thousands of customers have dined there, and millions of glasses have been raised there.

In Meet Me at Ray’s, author Patrick O’Connor features the stories, memories, and experiences of the legions of customers and employees who have made Ray’s Place what it’s been since 1937. Rooted in the hearts, minds, and experiences of the people who know it best, it is an “organic” story. Through humorous and poignant personal anecdotes, readers will come to know what makes Ray’s Place special and how important that is to the surrounding community. O’Connor has collected stories dating from 1943 to the present, including one declaring Ray’s Place the first sports bar in the United States. This book features the history of the eatery and its owners, including Charlie Thomas, the owner since 1978.

Through the long history of the restaurant, four different owners have sustained the connections between local residents and Kent State University employees, students, and alumni. For literally thousands, Ray’s Place is synonymous with Kent State University and Kent, Ohio.

A wealth of Ray’s Place trivia, traditions, and fun facts are complemented by photographs and original artwork that help tell the unique story of this Northeast Ohio institution.

1114014419
Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio
Stories and trivia from a beloved Kent Institution

Meet Me at Ray’s celebrates more than seventy-five successful years (and counting) of Ray’s Place, a restaurant and bar located near the Kent State University campus in Kent, Ohio. Once referred to as the place “where the hustlers meet to hustle the hustlers,” Ray’s Place has survived decades of trends, changes, and events. Hundreds of students have worked there, thousands of customers have dined there, and millions of glasses have been raised there.

In Meet Me at Ray’s, author Patrick O’Connor features the stories, memories, and experiences of the legions of customers and employees who have made Ray’s Place what it’s been since 1937. Rooted in the hearts, minds, and experiences of the people who know it best, it is an “organic” story. Through humorous and poignant personal anecdotes, readers will come to know what makes Ray’s Place special and how important that is to the surrounding community. O’Connor has collected stories dating from 1943 to the present, including one declaring Ray’s Place the first sports bar in the United States. This book features the history of the eatery and its owners, including Charlie Thomas, the owner since 1978.

Through the long history of the restaurant, four different owners have sustained the connections between local residents and Kent State University employees, students, and alumni. For literally thousands, Ray’s Place is synonymous with Kent State University and Kent, Ohio.

A wealth of Ray’s Place trivia, traditions, and fun facts are complemented by photographs and original artwork that help tell the unique story of this Northeast Ohio institution.

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Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio

Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio

by Patrick J. O'Connor
Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio

Meet Me at Ray's: A Celebration of Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio

by Patrick J. O'Connor

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Overview

Stories and trivia from a beloved Kent Institution

Meet Me at Ray’s celebrates more than seventy-five successful years (and counting) of Ray’s Place, a restaurant and bar located near the Kent State University campus in Kent, Ohio. Once referred to as the place “where the hustlers meet to hustle the hustlers,” Ray’s Place has survived decades of trends, changes, and events. Hundreds of students have worked there, thousands of customers have dined there, and millions of glasses have been raised there.

In Meet Me at Ray’s, author Patrick O’Connor features the stories, memories, and experiences of the legions of customers and employees who have made Ray’s Place what it’s been since 1937. Rooted in the hearts, minds, and experiences of the people who know it best, it is an “organic” story. Through humorous and poignant personal anecdotes, readers will come to know what makes Ray’s Place special and how important that is to the surrounding community. O’Connor has collected stories dating from 1943 to the present, including one declaring Ray’s Place the first sports bar in the United States. This book features the history of the eatery and its owners, including Charlie Thomas, the owner since 1978.

Through the long history of the restaurant, four different owners have sustained the connections between local residents and Kent State University employees, students, and alumni. For literally thousands, Ray’s Place is synonymous with Kent State University and Kent, Ohio.

A wealth of Ray’s Place trivia, traditions, and fun facts are complemented by photographs and original artwork that help tell the unique story of this Northeast Ohio institution.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781612777542
Publisher: Kent State University Press
Publication date: 09/17/2013
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 104
File size: 7 MB

About the Author

Patrick J. O’Connor teaches at Kent State University in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. He has authored collegiate-level marketing textbooks, monographs, and several articles in professional journals. He is also the author of the YouKnowAmerica book series.

The cover art and “Charlie says” illustration were created by Patrick A. O’Connor. The son of author Patrick J., Patrick A. is a cartoonist and animator based in Burbank, California. He has received numerous awards over the years, especially for his work as a political cartoonist. Patrick was the editorial cartoonist for the Daily Kent Stater from 1994 through 2000. He also created the original artwork for the YouKnowAmerica series.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Foreword Charlie Thomas xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

The Players 1

Hi, Welcome to Ray's Place 3

Ray's Around the World 5

Ohio's First Sports Bar 7

Special Events at Ray's 12

21st Birthday Celebrations 12

St. Patrick's Day 15

Halloween 15

Homecoming 16

Graduation Celebrations 17

The Music Scene 19

The Long-Gone List 22

Ray's-n-Hell 23

Ray's and Romance 28

Sharing a Special Day 28

Random Meetings 30

Behind the Bar: Employee Memories 34

Life at the Door 41

The Manager's View 43

Vendor Memories 46

Are We Making This Up? 47

A Town-Gown Institution 55

Classic Memories 60

The Cash Registers: One Classic to Another 60

September 11, 2001 61

Toy Night 62

Singin' in the Ray's 63

Ray'sed at Ray's 64

Mo-Fos and Futher Muckers 65

Only at Ray's Place 67

Nicknames for All 67

Chronology of Ray's Place 72

Ray's Phrases 75

So Why Does It Work? 76

The Customers 76

The Employees 78

The Owners 79

Ray's Your I.Q. 81

Ray's Your I.Q. Answers 82

The Title Contest 83

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