Opened in December 1969 by Rev. Albert Reed in a former small Kroger store (photo below). Demolished.
Author: retrotoledometro
Central Motel, 6636 W. Central Ave.
Central Motel, 6636 W. Central Ave (at Zone Ave.). Sold April 1988. Demolished. Replaced with First National Bank. Changed to Fifth Third Bank 1996. Demolished 2008. Replaced with Walgreens (demolished 2017-18). Replaced with Chick Fil-A.
Local Musician: Scott Shriner (Weezer)
A conversation with Weezer bassist (and Toledo native), Scott Shriner
“Recently, while holed up in a Phoenix hotel room, the Toledo native discussed the basics of rock stardom with the Toledo City Paper…”
Aku Aku, 1111 West Bancroft St.
Former site of the Notre Dame Academy (Built 1904-Demolished 1960). Aku Aku opened December 13, 1960. Closed 1973. Reopened as trucking motel until 1984. Demolished 1989. Now a Rally’s.
Art Tatum Boyhood Home, 1123 City Park Avenue.
Art Tatum Boyhood Home, 1123 City Park Avenue along the Dorr Street Corridor in the Junction Neighborhood. Built in 1905. In 2021 grant money will be used to “start revitalizing the home into the Art Tatum Zone, a museum for children and families that will provide a multi-sensory learning experience about the musician and the neighborhood.”
“Born in Toledo in 1920, Art Tatum was, and is, the giant of jazz piano. Count Basie called him the eighth wonder of the world. Charlie Parker once said, “I wish I could play like Tatum’s right hand!” Dave Brubeck once said, “I don’t think there’s any more chance of another Tatum turning up than another Mozart.”
Ron’s Music (TMIE), 2457 Tremainsville Rd.
Ron’s Music was created by Ron “Crazy Ron” Pollman on February 14, 1973 according to Ohio Sec of State filings. Ron’s Music later became Toledo Musical Instrument Exchange (TMIE). Ron later opened The Used Music Shop. Many great memories of going to TMIE to buy and rent. Ran into the other Ron often. Former Ron’s/TMIE location demolished. Now Meyers Auto Wash.
“Musicians on a budget should look into Toledoan Ron Pollman’s latest venture, The Used Music Shop, at 2425 W. Laskey (next to Sommerset Hall). Pollman, who has 47 years in the music business with former shops Ron’s Music and Toledo Musical Instrument exchange, has created a new hub for buying, selling and swapping musical equipment.” – Toledo City Paper (1-2-2013)
On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, Ron Pollman passed away at the age of 74. https://www.pawlakfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Ronald-Ron-B-Pollman?obId=21371101
Toledo Speedway Jam – June 27, 1982
Line-up: Foreigner; Loverboy; Triumph; Donnie Iris
Foreigner ’82 Tour Setlist: Juke Box Hero, Urgent, Hot Blooded, Cold as Ice, Dirty White Boy, Urgent, Double Vision, Cold as Ice.
Triumph setlist: Allied Forces, Rock & Roll Machine, Rocky Mountain Way, Magic Power, Blinding Light Show / Moonchild, Nature’s Child, Say Goodbye, Lay It on the Line, Fight the Good Fight.
Donnie Iris ’83 setlist: Ah! Leah! The Rapper Love Is Like a Rock
Jim’s Pizza Paddle, 5832 W. Central Ave.
According to the Ohio Secretary of State registered trade name filings, Jim’s Pizza Paddle was created on March 11, 1974 by Dimitrios “Jim” Mitsopoulos. Jim’s Pizza Paddle was located on the east end of a small strip mall at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Waldmar Road. It was at Jim’s where I tasted baklava for the first time and tried my first gyro as a kid. I remember seeing Jim often when I would ride my bike to the Sterling store located next to Jim’s Pizza to get my supply of lemonheads, burnt peanuts, a couple of packs of Lucky Lights candy cigarettes and a cold bottle of Faygo Moonshine. Or, maybe I got the moonshine warm at Centre. Anyway, I passed by Jim’s on my bike over many years and often stopped in to get a gyro as a teenager. It was always a pleasure to run into Jim. He always seemed like he was on the verge of yelling at me for something. But in a good way. Jim’s Pizza Paddle closed in 2001. In 2004 Jim opened and operated Dimitri’s in the strip mall (Timberstone Center) at King Road and Sylvania Avenue until his retirement in 2008. Jim passed away on November 25, 2020.
“Jim was born in the Village of Gonoussa in Greece on January 3, 1936, to Antonios and Efthymia Mitsopoulos. He spent his childhood in Greece with his four siblings and served honorably in the Greek Army. After his service he immigrated to Toronto where he met and married Athena Vergos. In 1972, he moved his family to Sylvania, Ohio and shortly after he opened Jim’s Pizza Paddle. For over 30 years he prided himself on serving the best homemade greek cuisine. He is known for his homemade grape leaves, gyros, pizza and greek salads.” – from obituary.
Porch of the Maidens – 6008 W. Central Ave.
Porch of the Maidens was located on the northwest corner of Central and Warner Avenue. Formerly Michael Angelo’s and Imperial Coffee Shop (“Home of the Imperial King Hamburg”).
“Before the building became the [ancient Greece and Roman themed] Porch, it was [Italian themed] Michael Angelo’s, where Chef Henk Vandersteen was best known for his lasagna and chicken cacciatore. Now, Chef Henk is back in the kitchen, to assist the head chefs, Deiphino Martinez and Dave Pelow, and the Italian dishes have been given fanciful names. The cacciatore is listed on the menu as polio petro cacciatore for $7.95 and the lasagna is lasagna a la milanese, $6.95. For the latter, the sauce will be heated at the table. The gazpacho has given way to cream of potato with sherry and the complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries are being replaced with mini-chocolate cups holding custard.” – Blade food editor Mary Alice Powell, December 7, 1978.
Continue reading “Porch of the Maidens – 6008 W. Central Ave.”
PDQ Racquets, 6054 W Central Ave.
A small building and business once located near the northeast corner of Central and Fairbanks, next door to Central Avenue Snip. Owned by Robert Roberts. Demolished. Formerly: Central Avenue Barber Shop. Country Lane Beauty Salon. My Love’s Beauty Salon.
