Paradise Valley Distributing Company
Ray Music Company - Paradise Bowl

The Paradise Valley Distributing Company, located at 2467 St. Antoine, proudly declared itself the world’s only black beer distributor in 1940. Founded by Reuben Ray, Grady Jackson, and Everett Watson in 1937, it boasted ten trucks and 42 employees.

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In 1938, this trio expanded their business ventures by establishing the Ray Music Company, specializing in the rental and servicing of jukeboxes. Building on their success, they, along with John Roxborough, opened the Paradise Bowl in 1942. The construction of the twenty-lane alley and cocktail lounge at 640-660 East Adams required an investment of $250,000 (equivalent to $4,544,110 today).