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

It is crazy freezing outside, so in the efforts of keeping warm we invited a few friends over for a make-your-own-pizza-dinner on Tuesday. That means we stayed in! And invited J. and A. (thanks, A. for the photos), T. and A., and M.

The pie crusts and fixings came from Sofo Foods on Monroe. I picked up a bunch of nicely sized pre-made crusts, sauce, a bunch of cheeses, fresh veggies (roma tomatos, olives, peppers, mushrooms, etc), fresh basil, garlic…

… and anchovies–not my thing, but it was a hit.

Sofo Foods is perfect for pizza parties–everything is packaged ready to go. And pizza parties are great for spending time with friends; where everyone gets to have their little pies how they like. Thanks to our guests for bringing appetizers and wine.

We ended the night with that great game called Uno (I hadn’t played in more years than I care to admit). And guess who didn’t win a single round… moi.

Keep warm, have fun, love your friends, and do it in Toledo.

Sofo Foods | 5400 Monroe Street | (419) 882-8555

We are having some carpentry work done on the exterior of the house… trim, wood shingles, porch spindles. We visited Architectural Artifacts, housing remnants of homes past, to check out their collection of spindles.

The second floor (where we found a new “old” door a few weeks ago) reminds me of a scene in Logan’s Run. Remember when they found the old man? Yes, that one.

There are some severely expensive objects for sale in the huge expanse of a warehouse, but there are some very fine cats to pet while you are browsing. Not that the two cancel each other out…

Architectural Artifacts | 20 S Ontario St | Downtown | (419) 243-6916

Color me corrected. The weather was much warmer this afternoon than I expected.

We spent part of the afternoon shopping for groceries. First stop was The Andersons, where we browsed the trees and plants (we have some tree needs) and picked up vegetables, pasta and more. Next was a totally spur of the moment visit to Sofo Foods Il Mercato, which smelled amazing first step in the door. More veggies were picked up along with a still-warm-from-the-oven loaf of Italian bread. Our last stop was Claudia’s and we left with tofu, seitan, peanut butter that we ground fresh ourselves and some non-toxic cleaning supplies.

What do all three have in common? They’re local. And they aren’t the only local groceries around… so more to come on that.

The Andersons | 4701 Talmadge Road | 419-473-3232

Sofo Foods | 5400 Monroe Street | 419-882-8555

Claudia’s | 5644 Monroe Street | 419-534-3343

ps. I love The Anderson’s logo and their liberal use of Futura (typeface). Well done.