…choose local!

“When needs are met locally by locally owned enterprises, people have greater control over their lives, money is recycled in the community rather than leaking off into the global financial casino, jobs are more secure, economies are more stable, and there are the means and the incentives to protect the environment and to build the relationships of mutual trust and responsibility that are the foundation of a community.”

Visit the business directory of Toledo Choose Local, or simply just patron the businesses you know to be locally-owned. Our local economy and the environment as a whole will thank you later! Happy 2011!

xoxo!

“In 1913 the Toledo Commerce Club held a contest to create a new slogan for the city of Toledo. The winning entry, “You Will Do Better In Toledo”, was submitted by four people. It was determined that C.W. Lammers was the first to send in the slogan and he was declared the winner. The slogan was illuminated on a large electrical sign in downtown Toledo along with two other sections featuring a locomotive and a lake freighter.”

The sign remained up until City Manager, Russell Rink, had it removed because it was beyond repair. At least, that’s according to a Sep. 7th, 1959 article from TIME Magazine.

A replica of the sign remains in Wesley’s Bar on Adams Street in uptown. Get your very own replica from local tee-shirt design co. JUPMODE.

Disclaimer: I’m not much into candy. I’m not much into sugar. And, I’m not much into chocolate.

But I am into nostalgia, and as a child I loved all of the above. We’ve passed this “retro candy store” many times but only stopped about a week ago. Recommended. If only for the kind help from the sweetly dressed man who helps you out with your choices and the darling baskets you get to shop with.

I was able to toss out old sweets in my neglected candy dish from Christmas for some watermelon lollypops, licorice, swiss fish, and jelly beans. Almost all of them I haven’t come across since I was a wee lass.  Cinnamon toothpicks? Check. Pop Rocks? Check. Chick-O-Stick? Check. Single packaged Swedish Fish (WHAT?). Check. Those spaceship disc shaped pods of peanut-packing-material that contained little balls of sugar? Yeah, check. They even have Sen-Sen and Choward’s scented gum (time to employ the use of Google).

They also have a couple coolers of soda that beer connoisseurs might call “craft” sodas. I picked up a strawberry soda that remains in the fridge–again, I don’t like sugar but maybe, someday, I will try it. More likely though, I will give it to a friend.

Boyd’s Retro Candy Store | 954 Phillips Avenue | (419) 720-7387

After lunch today, we wandered into a storefront that we’ve been passing for years without stopping in. Shameful that it took so long. Uptown Antiques has been on Monroe Street, in the Uptown District, for 6 or 7 years now. It’s perfect for a little shopping for yourself or for gifts!

The shop is full of wonderful collectibles and curiosities… at very reasonable prices. I picked out a pretty antique pin, a silver-plated candy dish, a tiny alabaster platter, and some original bags from Tiedtke’s that would have been used to hold their own coffee and teas–they will be perfect framed in the kitchen. Dustin grabbed a metal topiary frame on the way out. I think in all we spent less than $35. Nice!

Uptown Antiques & Collectibles | 1900 Monroe Street | (419) 241-9350
Hours: Wed. – Fri. 11-4:30, Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4, Closed Mon. & Tues.

Here’s something fun and useful. The Anderson’s in Maumee has a deli kiosk near the entrance. If you are in a rush, place your order for the deli at this kiosk and your coldcuts, cheeses, and specialty items (from Oasis, Tiger Bakery, etc.) will be waiting for you by the time you get to the deli! No “Please take a number” and no wait!

The Anderson’s | 530 Illinois Ave. | Maumee | (419) 891-2700