Mid-century Reading Road (Cincinnati, Washington, St. Bernard: motel, work, hospital)

[Cincyman513]

[quote=The Don;2279439]There was/is a drug store in the Valley Shopping center that had a lunch counter in it. I can't recall what it was originally called but sometime in the 1950's it was renamed Noiman's.
quote]
The original name was Dow. It was a chain. To the left of it was Foodway, an independent produce and food market owned by the Carps

[Cincyman513]

Originally Posted by MiddleCincinnati

That old Sears store was in Avondale. After their TriCounty store
took root, they shut down the mid-city branch. Funny - I lived in
Chicago for a few years in the 1980's, and there were still a few of
those older-style Sears stores in the city's neighborhoods, with
the same look and feel as the Avondale store.

The night club north of the Rexall may have been the Blue Fox,
which was around in the early 1970's. There was also a jazz club
in the Buccaneer motel, between the Valley Theater and the old
Sands restaurant. It may also have been the mystery building
on the east side of the street, somewhere between Section Plaza
and the A&P, which no one seems to be able to remember.

The building housing the Sands restaurant, incidentally, was
probably later used by the State of Ohio - maybe by the
Department of Labor.

The steak/pancake place was probably Perkins "Cake and Steak",
formerly Perkins Pancake House.

Sorrento's has had several owners over the years. There was a
piece about Sorrento's in the papers a few years back; it is probably
still available on line. For a time it was even owned by the Sakelos
family, who have operated other Cincinnati restaurants, such as
the Busy Bee.

There was also a feed mill on the west side of the street, north of
the Glass Barn, but south of Peewee Valley.

Yes, the KFC on china plates sounds like the old Carter's that used
to be on the east side of the street. I also remember its being
south of Jo Jo's.

I remember Jo Jo Martinelli's, but thought that it changed ownership
once or twice, dropping the "Martinelli's" at some point. It seems
like the place disappeared around 1980. Didn't they have a deep
blue awning over their entry way?

There was a root beer drive-in on that side of the street, as well,
probably closer to Bypass 50. It was either a Frosty's or an
A&W.

I thought that David's Buffet was beyond Bypass 50, a mile or so
into Sharonville. There were a few of these in Cincinnati in the
1960's.

The stretch of Reading Road from Summit to Bypass 50 had a
number of motels. It seems like they were slowly replaced by
the newer chains out on Chester Road, closer to I-75 and
TriCounty.

Do you mean the Essex House? My grandmother lived there and would always complain that she heard strange creaking noises at night. Then late one night she called and said the front of the building fell off.

[Mikey1003]

Originally Posted by franke01

Has anyone mentioned that there was a Public Library branch (small, 1 room as I remember) in the "shopping center" at the corner of Section and Reading? Also, the dry cleaner on (or near) the corner of Reading and Galbraith (the one with the rocket) featured "one hour Martinizing" and there was a Tresler Comet station on Galbraith just West of Reading.

And didn't Porfidio's Wishing Well (on the South East corner of Reading and Galbraith) used to have signs on the building such as "Lousy Service" "Lazy Waitresses" etc. in the 50's?

Another one room library on Dale Rd near Reading. It had a Civil Defense siren on top...That would wake you up!

[Mikey1003]

Originally Posted by sigesunt

"Bee's" WAS Breitholle's, I'm pretty sure, the little penny candy store-also ice cream bars and school supplies-across the street from Bond Hill School. Candy bars were a whole nickel, but lots of things were 2 for a penny-red dollars, licorice with candy buttons,pretzel sticks, strips of paper with candy buttons, can't remember them all.

We were talking about Breitholle's last weekend. I remember (shame on me) shoplifting candy while Mr Bee was looking away.

He (or was it his wife or sister?) finally caught me. He still allowed me in the store to buy baseball cards to "flip" in Bond Hill School's playground.

Anyone remember that there was a Boy's half and a girl's half to Bond Hill School's playground?

[shermank]

What a great rush to find this blog....I married my high school sweetheart...and we met in the back seat of a Buick(really) one day when a friend and I were cruising Swifton. My wife and I left Cinti in 1964, but came back regularly until a few years ago. We still have a little family, cousins, aunt, etc...

As for some of the memories....many have been mentioned...but, maybe I can add some other details. The Kroger store in the Valley was one of a few locations to see the first experiments with color television. At that time, early 1950s, transmission was achieved on a special channel, not compatible with over the air TV at the time. CBS came out with an early experiemntal system, and there were special broadcasts which people could see at the Roselawn Krogers.

Someone mentioned the Valley Theatre, owned by a man named Lou Weithe. It was one of the few early wide screen theatres, but the early process was Cinemascope. Todd-AO came later. I remember the first cinemascope movie I saw was at the Albee...it was The Robe starring Richard Burton, Victor Mature and Jean Simmons.

Someone mentioned WAEF in Golf Manor. That was my first real radio job. The station was owned by two brothers, Al and Ed Fishman, who were in the TV repair business. The managed to get an FM radio liscense, one of the very early ones. It was a real learning experience. My next job, btw, was at WSAI Boss Radio 1360 where I was Mike Sherman the Night Creature. I did the all night top 40 segment. When I started there in possibly 1961 or 1932 they broadcast from the Sinton Hotel (I know the spelling on that is wrong). In fact, that studio was were John Arthur of Big John and Sparky fame broadcast their Saturday morning program before WSAI moved in. Anyone who grew up in cincinnati in the late 1940s-early 195s must remember Big John and Sparky. One of the other DJs then was Dustry Rhodes, who still does an oldies show, and is a Hamilton County office holder. I don't remember which one, but his name is on the gasoline pump seals...:-)

I grew up on Clinton Springs Avenue and lived in an apartment building at the spot where Clinton Springs interesected with Mitchell Avenue. I don''t think anyone has mentioned Gleuck's Pharmacy, which had a great soda fountain. I remember that to go into it, you walked down a half flight of stairs and the store had a black and white mosaic tile floor. I don't know whether they were selling Graeter's ice cream, but I remember how rich and creamy it was, and especially delicious when eaten in a Grippo sugar waffle cone.
In that same building, and just South of the drug store was a restaurant and bar called Stein's Hideaway. I was too young to go inside, but remember it was there.

Of course I remember the Frisch's Mt. Vernon and all the grief those poor waitresses had to put up with when all the kids would pile in on Friday and Saturday nights. I also remember how much I loved the barbecue beef sandwch at Sugar and Spice, and the French Toast at breakfast.

When I was still at Woodward (class of '59), I worked part time at the Pasquale Pizza shop on the lower level of Swifton. I was lucky to have the job One day I came into work wearing my tee shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pack of cigarettes in one sleeve. Evidently I saw myself as a Sal Mineo type...:-). I was in no uncertain terms told that was not an acceptble way to come to work. I learned a great deal from the couple who owned that franchise, and in fact they and my parents became very good friends.

As for the chile, I think Empress was the first one. It was near the Taft Theatre. In case anyone if is interested, I created a recipe for 5 way many years ago, and have adapted it along the way:


1lb ground beef and or turkey
16oz can chopped tomatoes
1 can kidney, black or pinto beans
1/2 water
3 T chile powder
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t cloves
1/2 cup of chopped white onions
1 T garlic powder or chopped fresh garlic to taste
1 T sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 t white vinegar
1 pound spaghetti
1/4 cup shredded longhorn cheddar or similar cheese
brown meat, add tomatoes, water, beans, dry ingredients, vinegar salt and
pepper to taste. stir until all ingredients are blended. season to taste.
I sometimes add seeds from a dry serrano pepper depending upon courage of
guest diners...:-)
These ingredients are very flexible. you will probably want to add another
tablespoon or two of chile powder. be careful with the cinnamon and cloves.
too much will distort the flavor. same thing with the vinegar. I use it to
bring out other flavors, so add it last and in scant amount at first. sprinkle cheese on top to taste...and maybe a few shakes of tobasco.

I also remember Scotti Italian restaurant and the woman who owned it, named Teddi. Now, when we come back to Cincinnati, if it is a Sunday night, when Scotti is closed, we go to Campanella (spelling???).

When my wife and I were first married and could afford the treat, we ate at a restaurant called Pigalle's. We were thrilled by the likes of Beef Wellington and a potatoe puff given the fancy name Potatoes Dauphin.

As for the White Castle on Reading Road at the street where Bond Hill School was, they often ran a special...5 burgers for 25 cents...what a bargain.

People also have mentioned a synagog in that neighborhood. It replaced a movie theatre, I do not remember in what year. But, I do remember going to the movies there where I saw Rocket Ship XM, Mighty Joe Young and similar epics of the time. Speakling of theatres, there of course was The Forest Theatre in Avondale. Saturday matinee included not only the double feature and cartoons, but an appearance out front by The Duncan Yo-Yo Man.

Well, these memories have poured out in a wonderful rush...and there are so many more, but I have taken enough of everyone's time who has been kind enough to read this far. And, I have not even mentioned how the guys I hung out with would savor the pleasures of Newport across the river and The Gaiety Burlesque Theatre, which was on either Race or Vine.

Sherm

[Mikey1003]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Pickles walking up and down Reading Road. He was a fixture.

[allmybengals]

I was there for the fire-setting too!...And some kid got to start the fire. He was honorary "fire chief" or something. And I do believe they did that twice...two houses came down that way to make room for the Norwood Lateral.

I played in a rock band at the Cabana Club - remember it vividly.

The son of the owner of the Mandarin was a classmate at Woodward. Lenox Motors was indeed next to the Mandarin.

Mark's Drug store was on the corner of Reading and Avondale Ave. "Effie" worked there for a million years. Loretta's went under in the early 1960's.

Lee's Hobby shop was next to a dry cleaner owned by Lee's father. But the Dad was more interested in the hobby shop and was in there all the time.

Brenner's Grocery was indeed in the same little "strip mall" before moving to Roselawn.

At the corned or Clinton Springs and Reading was Glueck's Drug Store, and next to it was a tiny little carry-out of some sort in a little cubby of a store where we'd buy French Fries after school (North Avondale).

The high-rise on Victory Pkwy was Park Lane built in the mid 1960's. It was a hot property at first but not for very long...

Sugar'n'Spice was run by Mort Keller...His son was on the swim team at Woodward. Mort later went in with a partner on the "Upper Krust" out in Roselawn on Reading Rd. The coolest thing about Sugar'n'Spice was the "Chocolate Charmer" for desert, after you had a "Cuddlin' Puppie" or "Alotta Bull."

The Smorgasteria was originally the Robert Hall.

Capri Pizza was awesome. Glad to hear its still in existence somewhere.

The Railroad tracks next to the park in Norwood were Norfolk & Western's

The first "anchor" store at Swifton was "Rollman's"

The best-buy at Red Barn was the "Big Barney" double-burger.

Maish Kleinman's place was bar called the "**** and Bull" (A Male Chicken and Bull) and it was on Reading just north of Paddock on the east side of the street.

The Valley had a Marmer's Shoe Store in it.

I do remember the Fish Fry!

The Howard Johnson's was later a steak house for awhile. (Like a Tad's or something like that...)

This is really a trip down memory lane!

Originally Posted by deneals

As a child, my parents took me to watch the fire department burn down, as practice, the large house on the west side of Reading Road that had to be demolished to make way for building the Norwood Lateral.

I remember being amazed at how hot it was at a good distance from the fire!

[franke01]

Originally Posted by shermank

What a great rush to find this blog....I married my high school sweetheart...and we met in the back seat of a Buick(really) one day when a friend and I were cruising Swifton. My wife and I left Cinti in 1964, but came back regularly until a few years ago. We still have a little family, cousins, aunt, etc...

As for some of the memories....many have been mentioned...but, maybe I can add some other details. The Kroger store in the Valley was one of a few locations to see the first experiments with color television. At that time, early 1950s, transmission was achieved on a special channel, not compatible with over the air TV at the time. CBS came out with an early experiemntal system, and there were special broadcasts which people could see at the Roselawn Krogers.

Someone mentioned the Valley Theatre, owned by a man named Lou Weithe. It was one of the few early wide scru.

een theatres, but the early process was Cinemascope. Todd-AO came later. I remember the first cinemascope movie I saw was at the Albee...it was The Robe starring Richard Burton, Victor Mature and Jean Simmons.

Someone mentioned WAEF in Golf Manor. That was my first real radio job. The station was owned by two brothers, Al and Ed Fishman, who were in the TV repair business. The managed to get an FM radio liscense, one of the very early ones. It was a real learning experience. My next job, btw, was at WSAI Boss Radio 1360 where I was Mike Sherman the Night Creature. I did the all night top 40 segment. When I started there in possibly 1961 or 1932 they broadcast from the Sinton Hotel (I know the spelling on that is wrong). In fact, that studio was were John Arthur of Big John and Sparky fame broadcast their Saturday morning program before WSAI moved in. Anyone who grew up in cincinnati in the late 1940s-early 195s must remember Big John and Sparky. One of the other DJs then was Dustry Rhodes, who still does an oldies show, and is a Hamilton County office holder. I don't remember which one, but his name is on the gasoline pump seals...:-)

I grew up on Clinton Springs Avenue and lived in an apartment building at the spot where Clinton Springs interesected with Mitchell Avenue. I don''t think anyone has mentioned Gleuck's Pharmacy, which had a great soda fountain. I remember that to go into it, you walked down a half flight of stairs and the store had a black and white mosaic tile floor. I don't know whether they were selling Graeter's ice cream, but I remember how rich and creamy it was, and especially delicious when eaten in a Grippo sugar waffle cone.
In that same building, and just South of the drug store was a restaurant and bar called Stein's Hideaway. I was too young to go inside, but remember it was there.

Of course I remember the Frisch's Mt. Vernon and all the grief those poor waitresses had to put up with when all the kids would pile in on Friday and Saturday nights. I also remember how much I loved the barbecue beef sandwch at Sugar and Spice, and the French Toast at breakfast.

When I was still at Woodward (class of '59), I worked part time at the Pasquale Pizza shop on the lower level of Swifton. I was lucky to have the job One day I came into work wearing my tee shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pack of cigarettes in one sleeve. Evidently I saw myself as a Sal Mineo type...:-). I was in no uncertain terms told that was not an acceptble way to come to work. I learned a great deal from the couple who owned that franchise, and in fact they and my parents became very good friends.

Sherm

<snip>

Your post really takes me back!

I remember a lot of this although I may be 10 years or so younger than you.

I watched my first "color" TV show at (I think) 6445 Elbrook Ave in Golf Manor (Bonanza - I was ovewhelmed at the way the map burnt up) and it would have been around 1958 or so.

Golf Manor was such a wonderful neighborhood back then.

Do you remember "Robs" bar on Langdon Farm (owned by Bob Shuster - father of Robbie Shuster who I went to school at OMS with)? Last time I was out there the building still stood.

If you remember Todd-AO you probably went down to the Capitol on Vine Street where the only Cinerama theater in town was and where those pictures showed in the mid-50's.

Do you remember "Chuck Wagon" Moore? He lived next to my family's house in Deer Park and I understood that he was a TV Personality in the early days although I've never come up with anything when I've tried to Google him.

[fhiudt]

Not a bad memory but you did miss some things. The highrise at Victory Pkwy. was the Park Lane apts. Lorretta's was owned by a friend of my family and we ate there quite often. There was a Gulf gas station by Natorps. An other friend owned that. Frisch's was known as Mt Vernon cause it looked like Washington's Mt. Vernon. The bottler in Golf Manor was Signer's another friend of family. The bar in Roselawn was the Whisper Room. I worked at Garson's clothing, and the Honk Kong which was owned by the Kirschner brothers who own the Whisper room too. The out buildings at woodward were first opened in 1963 I was a 7th grader and that was my home room and each morning walking into the main building Miss Jenny Fine would paddle our behinds with a love tap as she did my father 30 years eariler but not at woodward. There was the old 5 and dime owned by Cookie and i cannot think of his brother but owned by thier parents. Has wood floors and wood bins.
There was Felson lanes in North Avondale and the park by Glueck's was a scary place for a 5 year old when told that a gorilla lived in that round building at the park at North Cresent (our old street) and Reading Rd. Also near there was the Dana VFW hall ( had a few fraternity parties there and up the street accross from Weil's funeral home was North Avondale Synagoge and by Lorretta's the Avondale Apts.

[Mikey1003]

Originally Posted by fhiudt

The out buildings at woodward were first opened in 1963 I was a 7th grader and that was my home room and each morning walking into the main building Miss Jenny Fine would paddle our behinds with a love tap as she did my father 30 years eariler but not at woodward. .

Ah, "Aunt" Jenny Fine, what memories. Talk about someone who's bark was much worse than her bite

I used to stop by her apartment to visit with her and her sister until they died years ago.