September 2022 – Retro Toledo Metro

Wersell’s Bike Shop, 2860 W. Central

Opened December 8, 1945. Former location was at 1934-36 W. Central.

2860 W. Central before Wersell’s. Chuck’s Pure Oil Service Station.

Video Adventures, 6423 Monroe St.

Formerly Video Entertainment in c1982. Opened as Video Adventures in 1984 by Emilio Fastuca. In 1989 Video Adventures was owned by John Crowner who owned the store until it closed in 1998.

World Theater, 1229 Dorr St.

The World Theatre opened in 1921. In the early ’30s it was managed by Burt Shoonmaker. The World Theatre closed in December of 1963. Sepia Enterprises bought, renovated and reopened the World Theatre as the Sepia Arts Theatre in 1971. Charles Corley was the president of Sepia Enterprises and Erskine Guyton, treasurer. The theatre was badly damaged by a fire in 1973 and demolished later in the ’70s.

Sylvan Theatre (Sylvania), 5658 Main St.

Owned and run in the 1940’s by Paul Pontuis. Managed by Richard Campbell for 16 years.

Sylvan Theatre, 1941. Visible left of middle center. Right of center is the sign for the Town Theatre at 5681 Main, opened on April 14, 1940. (Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection)

Sylvan Theater (Toledo), 946 Sylvania Ave.

Was located in West Toledo’s Five Points area. Built 1921 by Clarence Cousino and partners. Cousino sold his interest in 1923. In 1924 the theater was managed by Isaac Tattersall. During the silent picture days Toledo musician Mrs. Claribel Blomquist played piano at the Sylvan. Later became the Park Theater operated by Smith & Beidler (’30s/’40s), then Wings of Healing Temple (1955-57). Demolished. Closed Rudy’s Hot Dog now occupies the site.

Park Theatre sign partially visible on far right edge. (Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection)

Car Stereo One, 5855 W. Central Ave.

Ohio Secretary of State docs show that Car Stereo One was created in 1979 by Fred Baumgartner with the location then being 4529 Monroe Street. A 1983 Toledo Blade ad notes Car Stereo One on the southeast corner at Central Avenue and Holland-Sylvania Road. The busniess was located in the former Pat & Jake’s Shell Service Station (c1970s) and Hiser’s Shell Service (c1960s).

The Car Stereo One building briefly included Baumgartner’s independent video store High Tech Video in 1984 (closed July, 1988).

In 1992 ownership of Car Stereo One was transferred to Steve Braun (Juster Corp.) Car Stereo One was relocated and the building demolished. A Rally’s fast food restaurant currently occupies the site.

Car Stereo One has been located at 5302 Airport Hwy with a second location at 5071 Monroe St. There was also a Dayton, Ohio area location (8600 Springboro Pike). In 2014 the location changed to 4920 Monroe St. Current location is 3120 Central Ave.

Ringle Auto Sales, 1210 Sylvania Ave.

Opened 1968 by Richard “Dick” Ringle. Previous location 1378 Sylvania. Later location 1512 Sylvania.

Forest City Auto Parts, 1907 N. Reynolds Rd.

Opened in the ’80s. Closed in the ’90s. The long neck fellows name is Max. The idea was pitched to the two original brothers that owned the company, Stan and Arn and was inspired by a yellow page ad with the caption “Stop looking, we have what you need!” There were additional Forest City Auto Parts stores in Toledo as well.