Category: 

Commerce

Tags: 

Entrepreneur, Restaurant, Restaurateur

Ulysses S. Dearing

Cleveland, Ohio | 1946

Ulysses S. Dearing, Sr was the first Black owner and operator of a chain of restaurants, bars and catering service in Cleveland, Ohio. He was Born June 25, 1903, in Washington, Virginia. As a youngster he learned to cook eventually cooking for miners in the area (Blue Ridge mountains). He eventually moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he continued to cook. He worked in several large hotels until he saved up enough to purchase his own small restaurant in "The Hill" district.
His business burnt down and with nothing left he set out for Cleveland, Ohio. He arrived in Cleveland with $1.25 in his pocket, the bus dropped him off on the corner of East 110th Street and Superior Avenue and he threw the money to the ground, thinking someone else needed it more than he did. The DEARINGS restaurant, on that same corner would stand for over 50 years. Mr. Dearing's work in Cleveland took off as a cook at Cedar Gardens Night Club, while there, he was asked to start booking talent for the place. He brought in top acts such as Lena Horne, Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, and many others. He went on to manage Benny Masons Farm where he performed similar duties. In 1946, he opened his first restaurant, specializing in what he did best, fried chicken. His place on East 105th street was a place for fine dining in the black community. He went on to open six more restaurants from St. Clair to Harvard Avenue along with a booming catering business. Mr. Dearing was a lifelong resident and supporter of the Glenville neighborhood. He also was a 32nd degree Mason, a lifelong member of the NAACP and Urban League, as well as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

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