{"product_id":"meet-me-at-rays","title":"Meet Me at Ray's","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eStories and trivia from a beloved Kent Institution\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet Me at Ray’s \u003c\/em\u003ecelebrates 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn\u003cem\u003e Meet Me at Ray’s, \u003c\/em\u003eauthor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent State University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55332053811544,"sku":"9781606351734","price":18.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781606351734.jpg?v=1779344152","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/meet-me-at-rays","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}