Month: July 2022

FM 104.7 WIOT

FM 104.7 WIOT was started in 1973 by former WGLN veterans after they had all been fired by WGLN’s new owner. Making money was one part of the reason for creating the station. The other part was for the love of music. A budding counter-culture icon, 104.7 played what Top 40 wouldn’t. Artists such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Yes, Charles Mingus, and The Velvet Underground. Success followed and about a decade later the station was one of the highest-rated rock stations in the country. – Blade Media writer, Christopher Borrelli. “UNDERGROUND PIONEER WIOT CHANGES WITH TIMES.” Blade, The (Toledo, OH), February 8, 1998: 1. NewsBank: Access World News.

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Kmart – 5956 West Central Ave.

Located on the northwest corner of Central Avenue at Holland-Sylvania Road. In 1958 the property was owned by Charles and Martha Adams. Kmart opened in 1967. Closed in 2006. Originally had an attached Kmart Foods store that became Centre Supermarket, then Food Town. Also had a Kmart Cafeteria, and in the early ’80s, an arcade room. Demolished in 2012. This location also included a Kmart Auto Center, also demolished. Site is currently unoccupied.

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Central Avenue Snip, 6064 W. Central Ave.

Central Avenue Snip, 6064 W. Central Ave on the northeast corner at Fairbanks. Early ’80s hair salon owned by hair stylists Wes and Lisa Clark. The salon featured a large waterfall in the front. Previously the home of Grover and Mary Houke. Demolished. Small building directly next door was PDQ, a tennis racket shop/store.

Also at this location was Westwood Auto Leasing.

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Oaks Feed, 6144 W. Central Ave.

Oaks Feed and Pet Supply Company. Built 1942. Located on the north side of Central Avenue between Piero and Millicent. Founded by Norman and Dorothy Pieplow. Dorothy Pieplow actually began what became Oaks Feed and Pet Supply Co. in 1934 by building coops and raising chickens. Employee John MacDonald went to work for the Pieplow’s in 1959, married their daughter Pat and eventually bought the business in 1964. In 1997 the business was purchased by long-time employee Kevin Sieja. Sieja eventually relocated the business to 2032 N. Holland-Sylvania Road in 2017.

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The Head Shed

5365 Monroe St.

“The first Shed ‘For the Unique You!’ was opened August 8, 1974 by David Glowacki in Toledo Ohio. We carried incense, jewelry and smoking accessories. The Head Shed grew rapidly in the early years and after being operational for less than a year, they had the opportunity to purchase a record store which was having partnership difficulties. Extending themselves to buy that inventory meant risking everything they had worked for, but it proved to be a prudent investment as records and tapes became the real drawing card needed to expand further. The Shed currently has three locations:7448 Airport Hwy, 5015 Lewis Ave, and 5380 Monroe St. The Sheds have since become one of the most popular and unique shops in Toledo! We now carry thousands of specialty items, including: Hookahs & Tobacco Accessories, Incense and Oils, Tshirts, Hats, Hippy Wear & Purses, Disc Golf Discs & Accessories, Body Jewelry, Hemp & Fashion Jewelry, Drinking Games & Accessories, Rock N’ Roll Gifts, Posters, Tapestries, Beaded Curtains, Lighting Accessories, Lingerie & Dance Wear, and Adult Novelties & Toys.” – from 2011 “About Us” website page.

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Woolco

5821 W. Central Ave.

Woolco was located in the Toledo West Shopping Center on the south-east corner of Central Avenue and Holland-Sylvania. Woolco opened in 1972 and closed January 1983. Became a Hills Department Store in 1983. Hills closed in 1999, Became an Ames store for a short time. Shopping center also included a Jo-Ann Fabrics, Lane Drug Store (later Peoples Drug Store), and Kroger (on the far east end). Entire shopping center was demolished 8/2002. Site status: Walmart.

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Peaches Records & Tapes

2559 S. Reynolds Rd.

Peaches Records & Tapes on Reynolds Road opened on October 14, 1977 in Reynolds Plaza. James Castello was store director from 1977 to 1979. Toledo artist/painter Dave Wisniewski was the store artist. In 1989 Peaches became Coconuts Music & Movies. The Coconuts at this location closed c1996. Savers Thrift Store occupied the space from 1998 through 2017.

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