Post #305558 by Aku Aku Babe on Thu, May 10, 2007 8:02 PM

The Aku Aku was everything a Tiki restaurant should be. I had many dinners there, enjoyed the entertainment, and greeted the New Year several times. The place definitely had an aura as did the owner, Slick Shapiro. After discovering this site, I contacted several acquaintances and was digging around for information about Slick. Even though everyone knew him, they didn't know much more than what the obit. covered. I did find out that he was supplying towels to the hotels while in Las Vegas. I'm sure he was involved in more. Toledo was a hot bed for mob activity, and it was kind of a safe haven.

Everyone that was anyone went to the Aku Aku. There were lawyers, union guys, working girls, and lots of gamblers.

It was vacant several years before they tore it down. I always hoped that someone else would try to reopen it--but that didn't happen. When they bulldozed it, I went that evening, crossed the safety line and picked up about 5 bricks. I have them today. I have a couple of Tiki drink mugs, but I can't swear that they came fromt the Aku Aku. I've had them for a long time, and they could have come from somewhere else..but I doubt it. Thanks for the trip back in time, and if I was a little interested in Tikis, I am now a fan. If I turn up anything else, I will share it. I love your site.