Opened September, 1960. Closed September, 2017. This location also included a separate Sears Auto Center.
Sears (Westgate)
Month: October 2022
Central Auto Parts, 6007 W. Central Ave.
Operated by Joseph Linver. Owned by Ida and Joseph Linver who owned multiple lots adjacent to this location as well, since approximately 1947. An ad for the business first appears in 1950 and a help wanted ad in 1951.
92.5 WMHE, 4665 Bancroft St.
“The Right Music, Right Now.”
92.5 went on the air in 1957. In 1988 WMHE switched to Top 40 and changed its call letters to WVKS, aka “92.5 KISS FM.” In the mid-90s the station was sold. It’s now one of iHeartMedia’s 800+ radio stations.
Tommie L’s Record Shop, 1539 W. Bancroft St.
Opened 1974 by Tommie and Charlotte Smith. Closed(?). Location was later occupied by Thro’ Down Sounds, owned by Robert Mc Cant. Closed.
6112 W. Central Ave.
This house used to sit on the north side of Central Avenue between the Economy Garage and the Melody Inn (between Fairbanks and Piero). Owned by William and Albena Sysok from 1940-1954 and Orval and Irene Nederhouser (Construction/Excavating) 1954 – 1976. It was vacant and demolished in the late 1970’s. The house is also slightly visible next to Butlers’ Body Shop (aka Economy Garage) in the pic below.
Joseph “Junk Man Joe” Batdorf
Joseph Batdorf used to live at 3403 Zone Avenue in Sylvania Township. It was difficult to miss the place when passing by as a kid on my bike because his entire yard was filled with salvaged materials, with the exception of the driveway. I believe I bought a chrome BMX bike frame from him one time for a few dollars. I suspect American Pickers would have loved to get a look at some of the things Joseph had in that yard.
