July 2022 – Page 5 – Retro Toledo Metro

Ray’s Barber Shop, 6212 W. Central Ave.

“The small building off Central Avenue formerly known as Ray’s Barber Shop. (6212 W. Central Avenue) down on the ”Old Central Avenue” which was renamed to Mortemore Drive was used by Ralph VanGlahn, when he was the Justice of Peace of Sylvania Township. and is where he used to hold his “Justice of the Peace court.” He rented the small building from Lloyd Dewey from 1953 until 1956. On 5-2-1956 Raymond Hassen purchased the building and soon after started operating his barber shop here. Mr. Hasson operated his barber shop here until 2012 and sold the building to Stephen D. Taylor Family Properties on 5-2-2012. The small building still survives in 2013.” – from Gayleen Gindy’s amazing work, From Footpaths to Expressways and Beyond, Vol 4.

Ray’s Barber Shop was demolished between 2013 and 2015. The new Taylor Hyundai opened on this spot in July 2015.

Driftwood Lounge, 3535 Holland-Sylvania Rd.

Formerly the Frontier Bar. Before that it was Houser’s Animal Hospital. Before that it was the Melody Inn (built in 1917). Melody Inn relocated to 6118 W. Central Avenue around 1946. After the Driftwood Lounge closed the location has been various businesses, and a large metal barn was built directly behind the former bar.

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Melody Inn, 6118 W. Central Ave.

The Melody Inn was located on the northeast corner of Central at Piero. Opened in the late ’40s. Closed December 1973. Structure was destroyed by fire March 1974. This was the second location of the Melody Inn. The first location was at 3535 Holland-Sylvania (NW corner of Holland-Sylvania and Blossman) in a building constructed in 1917 that would later become the Frontier Bar and Driftwood Lounge. Charles Scott was part owner of the Melody Inn from 1954 to 1965. In 1974 the Melody Inn was owned by William Pompili, alleged associate with organized crime figures from Detroit in the ’70s.

Howard’s Hardware

6141 W. Central Ave.

Currently Yark Suburu. Former site of Robinson Hardware, owned by Elmer L. Robinson. Howard’s Hardware was opened by Howard Ziegler in 1951. The building on Central was demolished in the early ’80s. The Howard’s Hardware business was relocated to 3121 Marsrow Avenue.

Sylvan Motel, 6155 W. Central Ave.

Was located on the southeast corner of Central Avenue and Moffat Rd. Later named Northern Keys Motel (1956). Demolished late ’70s/early ’80s. Site status: Brown Honda.

“Beautiful Sylvan Motel, 11 ultra-modern units. Soundproof, fireproof, private showers, central heat. Permastone buildings. AAA approved Motel. Excellent new restaurant adjacent, serving fine foods. Phone LU 2-3296. Three miles west of Toledo, Ohio, on Route U.S. 20 and Ohio 120.”

4-29-1975 article regarding Joseph E. Wietrzykowski

Oak’en Bucket, 2841 N. Reynolds Rd.

Formerly the Country Inn. Opened December, 1970. Closed September 30, 2006. Demolished.

“I treated everybody like Frank Sinatra when they came in that joint, said manager Elaine Nicolaidis, sister of owner Gus Nicolaidis.” – from Oaken Bucket gone after 36 year tenure, Toledo Blade, October 11, 2006

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“Xanadu,” or Gibbs Bridge

“Xanadu,” or Gibbs Bridge (over Tenmile Creek) on Gibbs Road just north of Sylvania-Metamora.”The victims of a nasty car accident haunt this bridge. Aside from the noises of their final moments (squealing tires, breaking glass), laughter is heard here at night, and dark figures will sometimes pursue people who walk across. Gibbs Bridge is also home to another legend. This one claims that a man was decapitated by two of his classmates, they drug a fishing line across the middle of the bridge during the 1970’s and waited for him to cross on his motorcycle. When he did, he was decapitated. Somehow this story became known as Xanadu and many people claim that by flashing your headlights three times, you’ll hear the sounds of a motorcycle quickly followed by a man screaming.”

Imperial Lanes, 5505 W. Central Ave.

Imperial Lanes 5505 W. Central (1963-2009 demolished) Corner of Reynolds and Central. Owned by Bob Rehkopf and later by Darrel Ducat. Imperial Lanes was designed by Cleveland architects Jack Alan Bialosky Associates. The Crown Room, a circular restaurant with floor to ceiling windows, was attached at the north end of Imperial Lanes.

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Centre Supermarket, 5928 W. Central Ave.

Centre Supermarket was started by brothers Fred, George and Raymond Saba in 1951 at Stickney Avenue and Manhattan Boulevard. They had previously worked at their father’s grocery store Saba’s Market on Cherry Street. At its peak, the chain had eight supermarkets in the Toledo area, including one in Bowling Green. Centre Supermarkets closed in 1989.

“We were among the first stores in the area to have a full line of services. We always were good with produce, from working in our father’s store, but we learned as we went along. Our stores were among the first to have in-store deli’s and bakeries.” -Fred Saba

This location (next to Kmart) was a Kmart Food before it became Centre. After Centre it was a Food Town.

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Shyster (Band)

Release Date 1984. Focus Records. Info from the late Wilbur Strutt on YouTube regarding the song Bernadeane: “I was the leader and co-founder of Shyster in the 80s. Also the lead singer/co-songwriter of this song. Bob Brug: Bass Player, Jimi Goare: Guitarist, Kevin Nevious: Keyboards, Denny Gorsuch: Drums. Recorded at Beachwood Studios near Cleveland, Ohio. Hope you like it. Thanks to Bruce Huffman Guitars-Vocals, Ken Savage, Keyboards, Technician and a few other players as well. Carl Meduri, Producer.”