Tt post apr 8 2017

"To tell the truth, I'm kind of excited about the possibility of returning to the structure of original cities, where corner taverns and tiny markets served every neighborhood, where there was a bakery or deli within stroller-pushing distance ..."

That somewhat occurs now in a few places in Toledo. Numerous small businesses exist along Sylvania Ave between Douglas and Secor. We walk to many of them.

I walk our dog to the Clip N Dales groomers. We walk to the Orchard Inn (corner tavern) and to the restaurants located in the DeVeaux Village area.

Zavotski Custom Meat & Deli (tiny market and deli) is located in the same area, and they sell a small selection of grocery items.

We use Twin Oaks Dry Cleaners. It has been a while since we went bowling, but Twin Oaks Lanes is located along Sylvania.

We use Macino's shoe repair service, although it's closer to Secor along Sylvania.

Last Saturday, my step-daughter needed to run some errands, therefore she dropped her seven-month-old daughter off at our house, and I strolled my granddaughter to Kathy's Confections bakery and coffee shop for lunch.

Kathy's Confections now holds a children's story time once a month or so on Saturday mornings, which is similar to what's done at the Black Kite coffee shop.

On a Saturday last October, Sylvania Ave was closed between DeVeaux Village and Elmhurst Street for the first annual West Oak Walk District Fall Festival. It was organized by the small business owners and neighborhood residents to bring more attention to that area.

But not everyone wants to live in a small home built before 1950 on a small lot with a detached two-door garage, located in the backyard. People today like to isolate themselves in their backyards. We have wasted space in our front yard. I wish that our garage was located in the front yard.

Perrysburg

I've always thought that living near downtown Perrysburg provided one of the best walkable living areas around here. The library and Kazmaier's Market are located near downtown. Perrysburg holds a farmers market in the downtown on Thursdays from May into October. Businesses hold First Friday events. Live music events are held on the lawn near downtown.

Obviously, many small businesses of varying types exist in and near downtown Perrysburg (including Yarn Cravin.) I've been going to Steve's My Daily Grind coffee shop, since July 2002. I've been going to Commodore Barbers since I moved to northwest Ohio. Unfortunately, the small hardware store located in downtown P-burg closed a few years ago.

And of course, downtown Perrysburg has a park or access to the Maumee River. In the past, I've fished the Maumee River during the walleye run from the Perrysburg side of the river. The 577 Foundation is not too far from downtown. And close by are the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve and Fort Meigs.

East Toledo