Pekin Restaurant & Paradise Valley Restaurants
The Pekin Restaurant was founded in 1923 by brothers Theodore, Rufus, and William Bailey, known as the Bailey Brothers. The restaurant, which served Chinese cuisine, was frequented by prominent people and operated as a space for live entertainment. It was notably the headquarters for the travelling show Rhapsody in Black headed by famous actress, singer, and comedian of the time Ethel Waters.
Other Paradise Valley restaurants included Valley Food’s Restaurant owned by Jesse Faithful, Biddy’s Restaurant owned by Biddy Faithful, The Hole, Cookie’s Restaurant owned by James Cookie, the Brown Bomber owned by Joe Louis, etc.
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Sources
Russell Cowans. “Around the Motor City”, The Baltimore Afro-American, Nov 25, 1933, p. 22.
Toni Jones. “The Great Black Strip.” Paradise Valley Days. pp. 17-21.
Russell Cowans. “Depression Rampant in Detroit Loop” The Baltimore Afro-American, Apr 30, 1932, p. 10.
“Rhapsody Heads Busy Show Week in Detroit”, The Baltimore Afro-American, Apr 23, 1932, p. 19.