Historic Businesses of Trilby, Ohio
Trilby has always been more than a name on a map. Over the years, it has been a neighborhood shaped by schools, taverns, shops, restaurants, garages, salons, service businesses, and familiar local places.
Some businesses lasted for decades. Meanwhile, others changed names, changed owners, or eventually became something completely different. Together, these places helped give Trilby its identity. That is why this page is here: to collect those stories, preserve those memories, and show how the neighborhood changed over time.
Local Businesses Helped Define Trilby
The Trilby area grew around busy roads like Secor Road, Alexis Road, Laskey Road, and Tremainsville Road.
As those roads became more active, they brought people to work, school, shopping, food, entertainment, and neighborhood services. Over time, small businesses along those roads became local landmarks.
Eventually, people did not always give directions by street number. Instead, they used business names and familiar places.
They said things like “near the old school,” “by the bike shop,” “close to the tavern,” or “where that restaurant used to be.”
In that way, everyday places became part of Trilby’s shared memory. That is how local history gets remembered.
Historic Trilby Business: Golden Dragon has been a Trilby Favorite for more than 50 years
Address: 5624 Secor Rd
Website
Another Historic Trilby Business: Carmels has served at least 49 years
Address: 2947 Tremainsville Rd
Phone: (419) 474-1414
No website found
What Was There Before?
Many Trilby buildings have had more than one life.
A building may have started as one business, then became another, and later became something else again.
That is one of the main goals of TrilbyOhio.com.
We want to show what each place was, what it became, and what is there now.
Some examples may include old bars, restaurants, bike shops, auto businesses, grooming shops, schools, stores, and neighborhood gathering places.
Businesses We Are Researching
This site will continue adding business histories as more information becomes available.
Some of the places we hope to document include:
Reggie’s Bike Shop closed in April of 2025. Today the business is Plant House – Toledo and their website is here.
Trilby School – Demolished and Dollar General is now on a portion of the land that Trilby had.
Brondes Ford – Current website
The Log Cabin Tavern
Rembrandt’s became Girls, Garters & Lace, then it became RHouse, and finally Casey’s Toledo. Casey’s website is here
Babbetts Poodle Grooming used to be on the West side of Secor between Brondes and Janeys . They later moved down Alexis Road. There website is here
Other former businesses around Secor, Alexis, Laskey, and Tremainsville
Some of these histories are well documented.
Others will need help from former owners, employees, customers, neighbors, and families who remember them.
From Old Signs to New Stories
A business does not need to be famous to matter.
A small shop can hold decades of memories. A neighborhood bar can become part of people’s lives. A school can shape generations. A garage, salon, or restaurant can become a local landmark.
These places tell us how Trilby changed.
They also show what stayed the same.
People still need places to gather. They still need local businesses. They still remember where they felt welcome.
Then and Now Business Stories
Each business story on this site will try to answer a few basic questions.
What was the business called?
Where was it located?
Who owned or operated it?
When was it open?
What did people remember about it?
What became of the building or location?
What is there today?
These details help connect the past with the present.
They also help younger residents understand the area they live in now.
Current Businesses Matter Too
Trilby is not only about the past.
The area still has active businesses, restaurants, bars, service companies, shops, and community gathering places.
As this site grows, we also plan to include current local businesses connected to the Trilby area.
This will help visitors see both the history and the present-day business community.
Share a Business Memory
Do you remember a Trilby business?
We would like to hear about it.
You can help by sharing a name, address, photo, old advertisement, menu, matchbook, sign, story, or correction.
Even small details are useful.
Maybe you worked there. Maybe your parents shopped there. Maybe you remember what the building looked like. Maybe you know what business came before or after.
Those memories help preserve Trilby history.
Help Us Build the List
This page will grow over time.
Our goal is to create a useful archive of historic businesses in the Trilby area.
If you know of a business that should be included, please send us the details.
Together, we can build a better record of Trilby’s local business history.