BY GAYLEEN GINDY

6339 Monroe Street – Fricker’s

This property was originally the side yard of Lena Dietrich, whose house was built in 1903, and was  just to the east. After she died in 1947 the property transferred to her brother Joseph Foxhuber who sold to Jesse F. Crandall in 1949. A 1950 aerial photo shows that this property was vacant at this time. 

In April 1953, Harry Gray obtained a building permit for a “drive-in lunch stand” on this property. Mr. Gray was doing the work himself at a cost of $5,000. The permit indicates that the brick and block building would be 22 feet by 36 feet in size. The first Polk Suburban Directory that included the Sylvania area was published in 1957, and shows 6339 Monroe – Harry E. Gray.

In 1954 the property was transferred into the name of Toledo Finance & Loan Company. Records show that the president of the company was Jess Ottgen. His obituary notice in 1983 said that he bought and sold properties. While the Monroe Street property was owned by the finance company, Harry and Jennie Gray had a land contract agreement that was paid off by 1960 and the land transferred into their names. 

It was in April 1958 that Don Baumgartner began renting the building and obtained a sign permit for Don’s Drive-In. He operated here for two years before purchasing the property and structure in 1960 from Harry and Jennie Gray. 

From 1960, until the current time, this property transferred from Don J. Baumgartner, then again in 1960 to Don’s Real Estate Company, then in 1978 to Don’s Realty Ltd, and in 1999 transferred into the name Baumgartner LLC., and remains in that name today. 

Don’s Drive-in was opened in 1958 and is listed in the Suburban Directories every year through 1975. The 1976 directory listed the building as vacant, and the old Don’s building was demolished in 1977. Don James Baumgartner passed away on May 29, 2023 at the age of 96 and was living in Oakland Park, Florida at that time. His obituary said he was born in Toledo, and regarding his restaurant career, it said: “He was well-known in the restaurant scene, beginning his restaurant career in the late 1940s with Toledo classic Don and Mel’s, with colleague Mel Berman. He was also the owner and creator of Don’s Drive-In where everyone enjoyed “trigger quick service.” Malts and milkshakes were Don’s specialty, along with the Trailblazer sandwich. He went on to develop multiple franchises, as well as Bummie’s Restaurant in Michigan.” It said that he also had businesses in construction and real estate. 

In March of 1978 the First Ohio Construction Company of Toledo, Ohio submitted a zoning permit request for constructing a new Burger King restaurant here.  By July 1978 a sign permit was granted, and the Burger King restaurant operated here until 1982. 

In July 1982 a permit was submitted by owner Don Baumgartner, and “Partner” Douglas Greenlee, to remodel the Burger King restaurant building for a Grandy’s Restaurant, with an addition to the back of the building.

By 1988 the building was converted  to house Video Connection and Gaspari’s Pizza, which operated here until 1991. 

In September 1991 Don’s Realty Ltd, submitted a zoning permit for his lessor Frick Entertainment III, Inc., to remodel the interior of the existing building for a Fricker’s, which still occupies the building to this day.

In 1999 there was a fire at this location and repairs were made by SMB Construction Co., and that same year an addition was added and interior changes were made by K.E.G. Construction Co. In 2006 a zoning permit allowed the new outdoor patio and awning.