Embedded Files
Written by Madelynne Smith
The Smoke Pit’s full profile can be read here on the Green Book Cleveland site.
As we were conducting our group research, some of our findings began to visibly expand outward towards the community rather than staying central to the Cosmopolitan. My interest was piqued with the Smoke Pit when I found an undated image of the restaurant within the Stewart Collection at the University of Akron Archives.
Photo Courtesty of the Evelyn and Horace Stewart Collection | The University of Akron Archives
I found many valuable newspaper articles, interviews, and interviews via the Akron Beacon Journal. The Smoke Pit was owned by Matthew Ebenezer, and he was able to open up multiple different locations in the Akron area because he wanted his food to be accessible to everyone. The first location opened up at 345 S. Maple St. in 1968, and after a year of being open he decided to expand and open more locations in the Akron area. He did this because he didn't want any of his patrons to not feel comfortable due to the area his restaurant is located in. With intentions of eventually franchising the Smoke Pit, he opened up additional locations at 1097 S. Arlington St, 708 N. Howard St, and another location in Barberton. He wanted to make sure that everyone was comfortable and able to enjoy a bite to eat no matter their skin color. He made it his mission to do this and he did so by opening up various locations. The Smoke Pit was a staple in Akron for years.
One connection between the Smoke Pit, the Cosmopolitan, and the Akron Armory is the attempt to have live music present. According to an Akron Beacon Journal article in 1976 entitled, “Smoke Pit Can Offer Entertainment,” the Barberton location, located at Second Street and Snyder Ave, was looking at offering live entertainment for its patrons. The article states that Ebenezer had a temporary permit from two years prior for live entertainment but that nothing had happened quite yet. So, this article is the result of him being granted another year’s permit. This decision to grant The Smoke Pit and Ebenezer another year for the possibility of hosting live entertainment events didn’t sit well with other neighboring businesses. The article states, “George Asad, owner of a restaurant and tavern opposite the Smoke Pit, said he was told there was going to be a public hearing. He was prepared to offer evidence the Smoke Pit is a nuisance.” The planning directors of the area ignored requests to review complaints because they were only concerned with the issue of live music, which had not yet been established at the location. They were looking forward to seeing what would happen next, regardless of what other businesses had to say. At this time, there is no information on any of the other locations having live music and entertainment.
Matthew Ebenezer doing what he loved most.
Photo. The Akron Beacon Journal. October 21, 1974. Page 46.
Matthew Ebenezer's Obituary Stub in The Akron Beacon Journal. May he Rest in Peace.
"Matthew Ebenezer" The Akron Beacon Journal. July 01, 1995. Page 43.
This page is dedicated to Matthew Ebenezer and his family that lives on. He was a successful Black business owner during the peak of Black history within Akron and deserves to have his story told. May his legacy live on.
A Disclaimer On Language and Content:
The presence of harmful language and attitudes was present during the period Howard Street was in its prime (1930s-60s) and is not something we took lightly. The assessment of those subjects as relevant to the narrative we are honoring was considered extensively, and material considered harmful was left out so as not to further tarnish what remains.
Sources:
"Matthew Ebenezer" The Akron Beacon Journal. July 01, 1995. Page 43.
Photo. The Akron Beacon Journal. October 21, 1974. Page 46.
Photo. Stewart Collection from The University of Akron Archives.
“Smoke Pit Can Offer Entertainment.” The Akron Beacon Journal. October 7, 1976. Page 23.
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