The Peanut Shoppe
I'm enjoying my summer lunches with the Downtown Akron "Get Out of the Office" series. Throughout the summer, between noon and one, Downtown Akron hosts mini-field trips to various Akron locations. Although, being a teacher who doesn't work downtown, I feel a bit of a mooch.Today's expedition took us to The Peanut Shoppe.
There exist very few sincere stores like The Peanut Shoppe, let alone peanut shops, in America. The store roasts and sells an assortment of nuts. In this era of super-stores, its narrow niche might sound ridiculous, but the store is a wonder. Display windows of another time run the length of The Peanut Shoppe. Historic pictures and grade school thank you letters decorate the walls. A 1930s Mr. Peanut costume sits high above the customers just waiting to be used for promotional flair. The roaster warms the interior and leaves a comforting nutty aroma. An array of Akron memorabilia fills in the rest of the gaps, creating a sensory overload for the Akron nut.
Marge Klein, the proprietor, is a happy lady, welcoming visitors and handing out items on the house. She and the rest of the ladies still use all the vintage peanut shop necessities: scales to weigh the nuts, the original roaster, and all the other appliances a peanut store needed in the 1930s.
It truly speaks Akron and shows that a little store with a lot of heart and sincerity can play with the big boys. Unfortunately, only eleven peanut shops survive nationwide. So, next time you're on Main Street, make a stop in The Peanut Shoppe and get a couple bags of nuts for $5.00. There's even peanut butter and frozen yogurt for the kiddies.
Share
By Greg - Wednesday, July 01, 2009
10 Comments:
I've tried to remind myself to stop into The Peanut Shop multiple times - I still never have. Maybe this is the kick in the pants in need.
Ditto for me. I've heard people speak of it, but never been. This weekend I'm going to check it out and get a thank you gift for a friend.
There was a time when there were a lot more of these types of specialty food places and downtown's aroma was more than just burnt diesel fuel.
For as much as we spend at our house on nuts, i need to make a field trip down there myself. Thanks for the reminder.
What the hell kind of Akronite has never been to the Peanut Shoppe? For shame!
This is the Pea-Nuttiest article TCS has ever had.
I used to love the nut and candy bar in Woolworths. Little "goobers" --Spanish Peanuts were my favorite.
I usually pick up Planters 2/dollar bags of peanuts at the local Marathon
My dads Seabee Battalion planted peanuts in the Marianas Islands , as a food crop, in 1944. They now grow wild and we have had testimonials from many hungry natives
Hey Folks over the 4th: As you roast your weenies and toss back the brewskies dont forget all those brave Americans that made the day possible
I agree Anon. - its is an embarrassment.
Great post Greg. I didn't know this place existed. Definitely going to check it out.
The world needs more specialty shops! For obvious reasons, cost, lifestyle, etc., the world, particularly America, has turned away from this. But I hope and do think that people are headed back in this direction (to some degree)- to buying wholesome products from people who specialize and invest in them; buying bread from the baker, meat from the butcher, and peanuts from The Peanut Shop.
and sausage from the gigolo
I dont like how Greg writes
Post a Comment
<< Home