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Miketoronto
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Username: Miketoronto

Post Number: 790
Registered: 07-2004
Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 8:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Everyone often talks about their memories or the heyday of downtown Detroit and the city. But what about your neighbour across the river?

Windsor has not escaped downtown decline, and is home to one of Ontario and Canada's most troubled downtown districts. Oulette Ave is often quiet, except for bar nights.
But what was Windsor like before?

Any memories of going over the border during Windsor's vibrant days?

While the population might have been small 30-40 years ago, it seems like Windsor had more happening, and must have felt like a bigger city, with more bigger city options then today.

(Message edited by miketoronto on March 10, 2008)
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9936sussex
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Username: 9936sussex

Post Number: 94
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 9:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One of my fondest memories of going to Windsor was going to this little Chinese restaurant called the Paradise. It had tall wood booths and chinese lanterns. It was the first time I had ever had Chinese food. It was SO exotic to me. This was in the early 70's. I've had a lot of Chinese food since then, but I still have fond memories of that food.
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Downriviera
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Username: Downriviera

Post Number: 88
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 9:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My Windsor hat trick: dinner at Tunnel Bar B Q, a Cuban cigar from Havana Heaven, and a Windsor Spitfires hockey game in the old barn, Windsor Arena.
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Ramcharger
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Username: Ramcharger

Post Number: 537
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 11:25 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I remember, when I was a kid, my buddies and I would take the tunnel bus over to Windsor to play duckpin bowling. Do any of those lanes still exist?
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Eriedearie
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Username: Eriedearie

Post Number: 1034
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wilbur Wright Senior High graduating class of 1965 we had a "grown up" night at the Elmwood Casino. It consisted of a dinner of a fillet mignon with all the trimmings, and a floor show, all for $25.00 a couple! The live entertainment that night was the comedian Jackie Mason; and there were Las Vegas style show girls too.

Late 60's early 70's - Ouellette Avenue there was a dance hall that a couple of my dates took me to. There was a live band and drinks and we kept the dance floor busy.

At the old Bellvue Tavern (now Danny's) there would be a live band and dancing. They had a huge dance floor that we kept busy too. Seems we were always going dancing. At that time there was no such thing as a DJ in a club. It was all live music.
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Mrsjdaniels
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Username: Mrsjdaniels

Post Number: 571
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

oh Tunnel BBQ...the last time we went there were only 2 other parties in the place...and this was Saturday at lunch time
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Mtm
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Username: Mtm

Post Number: 278
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

AGES ago, my sister, brother, and I had dinner at La Cuisine then walked through downtown Windsor to window shop. Favorite store to look was Shanfield's with all sorts of British imports. This is going to be hard to believe but I SWEAR its true: walking down Oulette, all by himself, was a bulldog with a cigar properly in his mouth! Probably a stunt or something but VERY funny to see.
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 11787
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We spent more than a few weekends over in Windsor, after one of my friends discovered the zero from the phone book was nearly the same font and size to alter our licenses from '62 and 3 to read 1960 from most any angle.

We missed the increase in drinking age by a few years, but knew it was still nineteen over in Canada...so our devious 16 and 17 year old minds worked overtime. (arguably in the wrong direction, but what are rules FOR?)

We spent more than a few weekends over in Windsor, at the Mother's Pizza restaurant on Oulette...then on down to the IslandView Tavern across from Belle Isle...with the occasional jaunt to the Holiday Inn on the river to their bar.


After selling Alexander Zonjic a huge wardrobe at Anton's menswear at the Fairlane Town Center, he told me to come see him at Antonelli's Cafe, or rather behind it at a small club called the Radio City Tavern...the bouncer held our IDs up to the light and was about to kick us out, when Alexander saw us and came down to escort us to the front table with his then-wife.

I've been a fan ever since.


Pretty funny. Lotsa blurry Windsor memories.
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401don
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Username: 401don

Post Number: 321
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 1:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mother's Pizza sat empty on Ouelette for yrs after the chain closed. Detroit native Ernie Whitt,(ex Blue Jay catcher), had a sizable investment in the company.
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Pam
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Username: Pam

Post Number: 3643
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 1:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They aren't dead yet. I went to these two places recently and had a nice time.

http://www.windsoreats.com/tal oola/

http://www.citywindsor.ca/0002 23.asp
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 6571
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 2:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Taloola is a real gem.

Windsor is almost a mirror economic image of Metro Detroit. Everything Detroit is feeling we are too, times are tough but I think too much emphasis has been placed on making downtown Windsor a playground for 19 year old Michiganders and Ohians.

The last two days I have been doing a photo tour of downtown Windsor on my site, feel free to check them out...

http://internationalmetropolis .com/?p=618

http://internationalmetropolis .com/?p=619
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Stinger4me
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Username: Stinger4me

Post Number: 205
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 2:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From the 70's I can recall the Fish Market and closer to the river was a bar with Chinese decor and a piano player. It was nicknamed the Chinese Sing-along.
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Miketoronto
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Username: Miketoronto

Post Number: 793
Registered: 07-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 4:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Aiw. I think Windsor suffers more from a city that has allowed suburban design to overtake it, then real economic decline. The majority of the action in Windsor has moved to Devonshire Mall, and the power centres.
And it is a shame, because it sounds like Windsor use to really have its own style and culture, and almost big city feel to it.

I agree, Windsor pushes the entertainment way to much. I walked through downtown during the day once, and to be honest, we were starting to get bored after an hour. There was just nothing to do. No shopping, etc.
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401don
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Username: 401don

Post Number: 323
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 4:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Almost all small cities have surrendered to the mall (Brantford, Hamilton, etc) and a lot of small towns to Walmart. Unless you have a real uniqueness ie geography, ski tourists, etc. it's very difficult to maintain streetscapes. A lot of Windsor's kiddie bars moved in and signed cheap leases after abandonment.
I really believe Windsor needs to allow some development i.e. cafes, etc. on the riverfront in the downtown core. They could be from riverfront drive to half way to the river for a couple of blocks only. The elevation would allow tourists to have a drink with a river view without obstructing park usage closer to the river.
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French777
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Username: French777

Post Number: 355
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 5:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I was 7 we took the train from Windsor to Toronto. The first time I went through the TUNNEL
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Jmil
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Username: Jmil

Post Number: 1627
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 5:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Emancipation http://www.cbc.ca/windsor/feat ures/detroit-riot/emancipation .html

My mothers side of the family was from Windsor, I remember this being a big event.

Visiting my aunt on Goyeau st. in the house my mother was born. Knowing the house had been in the family for generations.

Passing by Hotel Dieu, with pride knowing my mother was the first black nurse to graduate.

Riding the train from Windsor to Toronto to visit my granddad.

Going to the Windsor racetrack with my dad and uncle.

Sad times/family history moments at Windsor Grove Cementery.

Great picnics at Dieppe Park.

Mother's Pizza, they had the best pizza, bar none.

Drunken white girls - oh baby, the stories I could tell. Still smilin'

Smoking my first Cuban cigar.


(Message edited by jmil on March 11, 2008)

(Message edited by jmil on March 11, 2008)
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Downriviera
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Username: Downriviera

Post Number: 89
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 5:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Whenever anyone brings me a Cuban cigar from Windsor, which are illegal here due to our economic embargo, I feel it is my patriotic duty to destroy them. This I do by burning them....ahhhhh, what a pleasure.
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 6573
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 8:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great stuff Jmil.

Around the corner from my house is the Alton Parker Park. Parker was the first black detective in Canada.

From what I understand, Emancipation was a HUGE event.
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Bobj
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Username: Bobj

Post Number: 4214
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 8:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good one Downriviera!

I do the same, but I just called it smokin a ceegar!
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 6574
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 5:48 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Part III of my tour today: http://internationalmetropolis .com/?p=620
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5491
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 6:56 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does anybody have a take on what percentage of Metro Detroiters have ever been to Windsor? I was there once--about when age 15--with my parents. Otherwise, I never felt any urge to want to go there. Is this the norm or not for Detroiters?

Might there be a good reason for one to go there other than that it's there?
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 6575
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 8:18 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

Might there be a good reason for one to go there other than that it's there?



Apparently the fact that Americans can drink at 19 instead of 21 and fully nude strippers are strong attractions.

The fact that our downtown is geared toward making money off that crowd is part of the reason that the downtown is in the condition it is today. It seems like a case of putting all your eggs in one basket. With the restrictive border crossing hassles, people are starting to stay away.
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Pam
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Username: Pam

Post Number: 3650
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 8:26 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do you like old buildings LY?

http://cibs.tamu.edu/border/pa ges/08e_Walkerville_tour.pdf


The view of Detroit from Windsor is also nice.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5493
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 10:21 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

Apparently the fact that Americans can drink at 19 instead of 21 and fully nude strippers are strong attractions.

Studies have shown that sex for high schoolers isn't that much of an attraction as for earlier generations. Some kids in their late teens are more addicted to games than on sex...

Kids are doing sex at such an early age that by the time they're 19, they've done it for real and don't need strippers. Ditto for drinking and drugs. They "steal" whatever low-hanging "fruit" they need from their homes.

So, what percentage of Metro Detroiters really ever go to Windsor? Earlier, the Windsor bingo or casinos or race track weren't reportedly doing that well, considering that there were some five million potential customer just across the river who weren't that interested--even before Detroit's casinos came onto the scene.
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Mclark
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Username: Mclark

Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 11:32 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm only 28 so my memories don't go back too far, but I used to go to Windsor all the time when I was 19 and 20 (who my age didn't?). There was a great vegetarian cafe that played drum 'n' bass, but I can't remember the name. I also frequented 13 Below, a bar owned by techno DJ Richie Hawtin. Once closing time hit we'd wind up at Eros, an after-hours spot off Oulette. Good times.
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6nois
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Username: 6nois

Post Number: 671
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 12:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As a college student I can tell you plenty of people who are 19 and 20 still go to Windsor to drink, however people tend to go less because of the weak dollar and the high cost to get across the boarder as well as the often long waits. Even with that aside people still go.
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Miketoronto
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Username: Miketoronto

Post Number: 806
Registered: 07-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 6:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There are some reasons to go to Windsor :-)

Windsor actually does have a great little Italy, that could be considered Detroit's little Italy also.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5509
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 6:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Still, nobody has estimated how much traffic on average results from Detroiters going to Windsor.

Nobody seems to know how many (or how few) metro Detroiters now go to Windsor. Nobody I know ever talked about Windsor, let alone ever goes there.

The former principal of Holy Redeemer HS even drove over from Canada to get to work. Do more Canadians come here than Americans go there?
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Ray
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Username: Ray

Post Number: 1097
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 8:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My high school had Friday's off from November to April. Many Thursday nights, our senior class would head over en mass -- like 100 of us at a crack -- to a place called the Canada Tavern, where we would drink underage with total impunity. I especially loved the discount for American money.

After a night of partying and dancing and trying futiley to hit on 20+ year old Canadian woman, we would drunk drive back to America through customs, and inevitably a few guys would get in some kind of trouble.

I don't think teenagers do this stuff today. I think they hang out in the parents' finished basement and take excatsy and have sex, which doesn't sound bad either.
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Mayor_sekou
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Username: Mayor_sekou

Post Number: 1988
Registered: 09-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 9:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In the summer after the Detroit clubs close at 2 well tend to go to Windsor if someone is sober enough to cross. A lot of people do that or they did before it got difficult to cross.

Curious, back before its decline did Windsor have all of those "massage parlors"? And what is the deal with those "massage parlors"? Ive heard some interesting things but the sources were unreliable.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5515
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 10:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not meant to thread jack, but this thread seems spent anyway...

How many actual taverns does the city of Detroit (or Windsor) really have now compared to back when it (they) last had a life, say during the 1950s or 1960s? I see mostly party stores (beer depots, back in Wisconsin) selling bulk sales of alcohol or 40s for consumption off premises.

My grandfather decades ago would make the rounds of two or three bars within a block of his home at Ruby and Jonathan in Dearborn after returning home from the Rouge plant. He would drink and play Pinochle with other ex-immigrants for hours.

Today, all of those neighborhood bars are long gone (since the late 1960s?). The same could be said for the disappearance of all the many dozens of neighborhood bowling alleys, where the bowlers played and drank and drank.

(Message edited by livernoisyard on March 13, 2008)
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 6581
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 - 8:35 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LY - Windsor has a small handfull of neighbourhood taverns left. Even fewer that aren't on main roads, and really in the neighbourhoods.

----------------------

Mayor - Those parlors are known in Windsor as Rub and Tugs.

The kind of place where you can get a massage with "release" if you know what I mean.
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Downriviera
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Username: Downriviera

Post Number: 106
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 - 9:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And in Windsor the strip clubs are called Peeler Bars.

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