As a child, I had to go to the Mathews Barber Shop every two weeks to get a haircut. I never understood why it was called a haircut; my head was full of nappy unmanageable hair, and I didn’t want anyone putting anything on, or in my hair because it hurt.
In my opinion, this was punishment. On the other hand, it was always good to go to the barber shop, because this was the only time I could go anywhere on my own. My mother didn't allow us to associate with other people.
Christmas was the best. I would go early, because the people who were up at this time of day were the people that were about the business of doing business. We could smell barbecue pork for miles around. Collard greens, pinto beans cornbread, fried pork chops, chicken (baked, fried and BBQ) and shrimp baskets were always staples. I made sure to get things done early. Then, I could go to Polsky’s, Olsen’s, and O’Neil’s. This was a treat. Although I didn’t get to the West Side Market until I was an adult, this is what Howard Street was like, in my opinion.
The Hotel Matthews was even better, especially during Christmas week. I would always get busted by my father, who would be with people like Ruby, of Ruby and the Romantics, Count Basie and the likes, and he was proud when I showed up, because he wanted to show off his baby boy, but I wanted to go downtown. This made for long afternoons on Howard Street. I wasn’t supposed to be there anyway.
Olson’s had sparkly electronic things, and Scott’s had caramel popcorn (The smell of the popcorn was wonderful). This represented Christmas. This is when Howard Street went all the way to Eeast Bowery and South Main Street. This was, in my opinion, the Bat Cave: a direct route to the lights, the Christmas windows at Polsky’s and O’Neil’s, the Palace, the Civic, Walgreens, the Forum and downtown Akron.
Once on Main Street, Scott’s Five and dime, Woolworths’ and the Downtown Diner were great for greasy hamburgers, but these were delicious.
It is also with great respect that I honor the passing of George Ronald Mosley, another great from Akron’s Howard Street District.
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