See the the WRMR program guide for a complete list of shows, and don't forget to stop by the message board for a chat.

Relics is a vintage shop with a little bit of everything, and everything is reasonably priced. It's one of my regular stops of the Madison shops. Barbie collectables and blonde-wood furniture are specialties.
Relics, (216) 221-0040, 15502 Madison Ave, Cleveland, OH 44107

The historic neon signs atop Gallagher's Lounge in West Park were thoughtlessly destroyed in 2003 when the owner of that strip mall property gave it a facade facelift. Updates like this detriment the local community by robbing it of its historic architecture, leaving nothing but cheapness and ugliness for the present and future generations.

Early in Cleveland Mayor Jane Cambell's term, the Late Modern / Internationalist look of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was thoughtlessly taken away without warning. As a quick fix to somehow "update" the airport's look, all of its 35+ year old historic signage was removed, and replaced with a new "retro," pseudo Art Deco look that vaguely emulates the achievements of the past, yet remains mired in the present age of anti-American corporate globalism. Witness the tacky new entrance sign, with its faux Deco silver hoops -- and a crease running down the middle! Instead of using this money to improve infrastructure or otherwise make things better where it really counts, the focus was only on the most superficial aspects. And the tragedy here, Modern Cleveland notes, is that in this superficial update, true historic signage and elements were lost forever, to be replaced with cheap-looking, phony historic signs that are not worth keeping!

Walking into Missimi's is like stepping into the past -- the record player with the same four or so songs in the background, the incredible 1940s Italian decor and the staff consisting of the owner as the chief cook and bottle washer and his wife as your waitress. You can tell that they put care into everything they do -- the homemade menus have a poem on them about "our" town and how proud they are to be a part of it. My favorite is the spaghetti dinner for two with red wine and antipasto salad. A favorite of the college students at nearby Kent State is the economical $9.95 "pan of pasta" to-go. Connoisseurs will savor the vintage family-run Italian restaurant atmosphere here.
Missimis Restaurant & Lounge, (330) 673-3306, 1313 W Main St, Kent, OH 44240

One of the original Mid-Century Modern Ohio Turnpike signs before it was carelessly demolished in 2003. The bland new tollbooths are no match for what they replaced, and I doubt they'll last half as long as the old ones did. Your tax money at work!

St. Vincent DePaul thrift stores have several locations about town. The Lorain Avenue location in West Park has two floors.
St Vincent Depaul Thrift Stores, (216) 391-9655, 16730 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111

Barnacle Bill's Crab House on Detroit Avenue in the heart of Lakewood is one of the city's most noted and oldest seafood restaurants. The "library room" is recommended for larger parties.
Barnacle Bills Crab House, (216) 521-2722, 14810 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44107

Although this vintage doughnut counter isn't in Cleveland, Palcho's is worth stopping by if you're in the Akron/Kent area. Palcho's has used the same delicious cake-style doughnut recipe for over half a century. It's a one man operation, so don't be surprised if it's closed for a short period while a fresh batch is being made. Whenever I'm visiting Kent, I almost always stop by Palcho's for my favorite doughnuts!
Palcho's Donut Shop, (330) 678-1813, 911 E Main St, Kent, OH 44240

The landmark New York Spaghetti House closed in 2001.

The late Berea Theater also deserves mention here. It was the last small town, large-screen movie house in the southwest suburbs, a historic 1950s theatre with a large marquee right on Front Street, the "Main Street" of Berea. It had been well preserved up until the late 1990s, when it was torn down at behest of the mayor and most of city council, despite the protest and picketing of the people of Berea and other parts of Cleveland. The news received only a slight amount of media coverage (then-editor of Scene Mark Holan wrote about it, and it was a blip in the Free Times) but not nearly enough, and now it's a parking lot for yet another generic-looking "medical center" in a town full of medical centers and a large hospital right up the street. Thanks, Stan!

The Kahiki in Columbus has recently been replaced by yet another Walgreens. It deserves special mention here. Up until its demise, it was the most noted Polynesian Supper Club in the world. Many flew in or drove for several hours to see this famous landmark, but for lucky Clevelanders it was only a couple-hours ride south on I-71 to Columbus.

Often with lines out the door and hour waits to be seated, the popular Kahiki was worth every second of it. The fabulously preserved restaurant was recognized in publications from The New York Times to Esquire. It was given the award of "coolest bar in the world" by prestigious Food & Wine magazine just months before its final closing in 2000.

Businessman and final owner Michael Tsao traded in this landmark and piece of popular American culture and history for advancing a microwave frozen-food empire whose products (now under the misnomer of "Asian food") hypocritcally feature the image of the world-famous Kahiki which he had demolished for another Walgreens chain drug store.

For this egregious act, Roadside magazine awarded Tsao the "Lou-Roc Award" which is given to those who are directly responsible for homogenizing the American roadside and cheapening contemporary architectural standards.

RIP, Kahiki.

Most recent update: $Date: 2006/05/14 20:18:46 $