Meet Me At Ray's

Stories and trivia from a beloved Kent Institution Meet Me at Rays celebrates more than seventy-five successful years (and counting) of Rays 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, Rays 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 Rays, author Patrick OConnor features the stories, memories, and experiences of the legions of customers and employees who have made Rays Place what its 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 Rays Place special and how important that is to the surrounding community. OConnor has collected stories dating from 1943 to the present, including one declaring Rays 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, Rays Place is synonymous with Kent State University and Kent, Ohio. A wealth of Rays Place trivia, traditions, and fun facts are complemented by photographs and original artwork that help tell the unique story of this Northeast Ohio institution.