​She proved that obstacles are the best stepping stones if you never give up. In her day the only economy that black women could operate in was being self-employed. Because of her tenacity, synergy and budgetary skills she has been acknowledged as one of West Palm Beach’s successful African-American entrepreneurs.

 

Dot was a business woman extraordinaire, having opened her first business at the old “Blue Front” building located on the southeast corner of 15th Street and Tamarind Avenue. Her uncles, Archie Mitchell and Rozell Patrick, then constructed a two story building for her a few blocks away at this location. She purchased the property and bricks for the construction, and family and friends donated their time and talent toward the endeavor. Everybody helped where they could. A friend from Clewiston, Mrs. Booker, donated food and drinks toward the project. The structure was built with hard work, dedication and love.  Upon completion (circa 1955), Dot ran a local bar on the ground floor, while upstairs was operated as a motel; she named them Dot’s Place and Dot’s Motel.

 

The motel was known throughout the United States for being clean and comfortable if you were African American and visiting the Palm Beaches. Upon arrival, each patron was given a skeleton key and linens before being given their room. In the days of segregation, entertainers on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” would look for Dot’s Motel as the place to stay while they entertained the city.  

 

The footprints of many famous entertainers are on these grounds. Dot’s Motel accommodated James Brown, Sam Cook, The Five Blind Boys, Bobby Blue Bland, The Soul Stirrers, and Moms Mabley; B.B. King was also known to frequent the motel.  B.B King’s favorite greeting for Miss Dot, was “How ya doing “Landlady?” They remained friends until her death. Dot also accommodated carnival employees which included the famous “Siamese Twins.”

 

Downstairs Dot’s Place served alcoholic beverages, with visitors and locals alike frequenting the bar.  She was known as the well-dressed bar maid with a pleasant personality and a Colt .45 gun in the bottom drawer. Customers could choose to sit at the bar or in a booth which was each equipped with a jukebox song selectors. They could have their drinks and listen to their favorite blues; at all times there were a full selection of songs by B.B. King.  

 

Her motto was that everything had to be kept very clean at the motel and the bar was to continually have at least three weeks of merchandise. She would say, “Never, never let the merchandise get too low; prepare for hard times.” Conversation with her was highly intellectual, touching on world, national, Florida state news and local gossip. She was also famous for saying to those who worked for her: “use the gun if you have to.”

 

Those who knew her never saw her angry, even when under stress. She was a strategic problem solver, and a home grown psychologist. There was frequently someone in the bar who needed advice and she was there to serve. 

 

To the dismay of her family and friends, Dorothy Riley died suddenly from cardiovascular complications on January 20, 1985, at the age of 70 in her bedroom.

 

The twins attempted to continue the legacy but found that keeping the “three weeks of merchandise” rule was hard to follow. Subsequently, the building began to deteriorate, the debts grew, and the crime rate grew. They eventually became interested in other careers and the building was abandoned several years after Dot’s death.

Photo submitted by: Harriet Pannel, Dot's daugther.

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