If you grew up in the Toledo, Ohio area anytime from the twenties to the late sixties, you know about Tiedtke's. It was one of the most original and well-known of the downtown department stores. Lamson's, Lions and LaSalles were popular but Tiedtke's was the most unique. The six-story store occupied an entire block and was far more than a simple department store.
Tiedtke's featured a circus-like atmosphere. As customers entered, an organ played tunes as the smell of Parkwood Coffee filled every corner of the store. This was on purpose, of course. The smell of the roasting coffee beans was pumped through the ventilation system.
The main stairs were done up with funhouse mirrors. Juggler's roamed about. At Christmas, a giant Santa stood in the front window with a roly-poly belly.
This was the place to find the perfect outfit for Easter, to buy hand-dipped chocolates, freshly ground peanut butter, shop for Christmas toys, get your shoes repaired or sit down for a meal at one of the many cafe's and restaurants scattered throughout the building.
The greatest and most unique tradition was that of the "enormous wheel of cheese." Every year at Christmas, the store rolled in a two ton wheel of Wisconsin Cheddar cheese. The ceremonial slicing ushered in the annual holiday season. For most, this was truly the most remembered tradition of a store that featured so many unique aspects.
The Tiedtke's truly were at the forefront of marketing. Many of the concepts they brought to Tiedtke's are now a part of modern marketing.
"Trouble at Tiedtke's" attempts to bring back a little of the flavor of those days when Tiedtke's was the prime place to be in downtown Toledo.