Bars and Restaurants - Retro Toledo Metro

“Rattlesnake Corners” and Fred Behrendt.

The intersection of Central and Holland-Sylvania is in the center of this image from the year 1900. One of the two black squares at that intersection is the site of Fred Behrendt’s tavern.

In October of 1895 Fred and Alvina Behrendt took over operations of a roadhouse/tavern at the crossroads of what is now the intersection of Central Avenue and Holland-Sylvania Road, then called Rattlesnake Corners, or “The Corners,” for short. I won’t repeat here what has already been written about in great detail in 1895.

Nirvana, 4962 Monroe St.

Opened in 1979. Originally the location of Hygiene Products Company (c1946). It was John Nuding’s Mobile Home Center (c1960) and O’Henry’s Old Toledo (1976). Was later incorporated into the adjacent Sweet Water Cafe and renamed Sweet Hall. Has also been: Mr. Roberts (1984). C.J. Barrymore’s (1986). China Gate by Wang (1988). Demolished 1997.

Triple Crown, 2122 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd.

This bar is located in the shopping plaza next door the House of Meats, on the southeast corner of Bancroft and Holland-Sylvania. A grey 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass with chrome sidepipes and Cragar rims used to be spotted here often in the 1980s and ’90s. Please email Retro Toledo Metro at retrotoledometro@gmail.com if you have any info on that car or it’s owner during those years.

1998. No large sign. The bar is located in front the Mercury Topaz.

Greenwood Village Nite Club, 6341 W. Central Ave.

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Block Card Collection

Demolished to make way for US 23/Central Avenue interchange in 1961/62.

Vic’s, 4985 Holland-Sylvania Rd.

Opened 1947. Owned by Vic Perot. Later became, and remains, the Village Inn (“VI”). History is detailed by Gayleen Gindy in Volume 5 of her Footpaths to Expressways series.

Thomas C’s, 4700 Nantucket Dr.

4700 Nantucket was built by Gerald Rabideau c1977. Thomas C’s was opened by Thomas C. Watkins in 1978. Thomas C’s became Lynn’s Supper Club in 1979 and Eddie Lee’s in 1980. Will likely be demolished to make way for a Sheetz gas station.

The Barn, 3239 Centennial Road

Arnie’s Grille, 6710 W. Central Ave. (Regency Plaza)

Arnie’s Grille was located on the east end (far-right in the image) of Regency Plaza at McCord and Central.

“The place to meet in Sylvania.”

Arnie’s Saloon, 3332 W. Central Ave.(Westgate)

Formerly Scotty’s Hamburgers. Arnie’s Saloon opened in 1980 and was owned by Arnie Elzey. The saloon was sold by Elzey in 2008. The new owner renamed the establishment “Arnie’s Again.” Arnie’s Again was demolished in 2014 to make way for new development.

Home Cafe, 5102 Alexis Rd.

There have been various Home Cafe’s in Lucas County over the years. One at 518 Adams (1903) and one at 811 Jefferson (1925) in downtown Toledo, and another very near this one at 4421 Alexis (1954).

Our Home Cafe appeared on the first floor of the two-story building on the right in 1961. As a kid I passed by this building on occasion and I appreciated it’s rough and always old-timey appearance. Some “enhancements” were attempted in later years.