Category: Bars

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.

Continue reading “Nirvana, 4962 Monroe St.”

Firehouse, 5815 Secor Rd.

Originally the Trilby Volunteer Fire Station located on the west side of Secor Road just north of Alexis Road. The Firehouse, a live music venue, opened in the former fire station in early 1969. In 1970 it was renamed the Dry Mouth Cafe, operated by Rick Campbell who was the owner of Head-Quarters. It then became Half-A-Sixpence clothing store in 1971. In 1981 it was the Sawmill Lounge. In 1986, Rosie’s. The former fire station was demolished in 2005 to make way for a Walgreens.

Continue reading “Firehouse, 5815 Secor Rd.”

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.

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.

Continue reading “Home Cafe, 5102 Alexis Rd.”