Everything Medina, Ohio » Shopping

Good Golly, Miss Molly!

gbrown — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:37:10 +0000

A few steps from Medina’a Public Square is a popular, Victorian-themed restaurant — Miss Molly’s Tea Room and Gift Shop. It is pretty, feminine and very, very floral. Roses predominate — they are found on all the teapots and teacups, they spill out of vases and adorn the wallpaper. There are also lace table cloths , heart-shaped sandwiches and Christmas lights all year long.

Miss Molly’s is a very successful restaurant — if you don’t have a reservation for lunch, you may have to wait in the hall and twiddle your thumbs for a long, long time. And it consistently gathers accolades from the local media. (“Best of the Best” from the Medina County Gazette and Fox 8’s Hot Spot in the Akron/Canton area.)

Here’s what you see here on an average weekday lunch hour. At a nearby table sit four generations of women: a young woman with her infant daughter, her mother and her grandmother. At another table, a group of eight animated middle-aged women are gathering, bearing gifts. It’s clearly someone’s birthday or special occasion.

A few moments later two mothers walk by with four- year old daughters in tow. The little girls are dressed in ruffly frocks and patent leather shoes — perfect attire for their first Victorian tea. They will probably be served the “Little Miss Molly” — double-decker peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches and pink lemonade.

The food is also very feminine : salads, puff pastries, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves served on pretty plates. Selection of teas is extensive and everyone gets an individual china teapot.

Here are some Miss Molly’s classics:

Heart-shaped puff pastry with the signature strawberry pretzel salad.

Chicken, tuna and pimento cheese served with love.

The experience doesn’t end there. The check is paid at the gift shop which is filled with its own temptations. Buy your very own rose-strewn teapot and some exotic teas to go with it — or original oil paintings, handmade jewelry, books, note cards. The selection is extensive.

Miss Molly’s is a popular place for bridal and baby showers and birthday parties. Since they are open on Friday evenings, they can also accommodate rehearsal dinners.

The restaurant is located on 140 W. Washington Street, one block west of Public Square in the former Medina Telephone Exchange building.

Hours are 11:00 – 3:00 Monday-Saturday, 12:00 -4:00 on Sunday and 5:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday. For more information, go to www.missmollys.net.

Ormandy’s Toys and Trains, 10 Public Square, (330) 722-1019

gbrown — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:12:42 +0000

Toy trains and Christmas — a long cherished tradition. Ormandy’s on Public Square carries a huge number of toy trains in every size and make. And there’s a toy museum on the second floor.

The Potomac Bead Company, 109 West Washington Street, (330) 722-2555

gbrown — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:58:17 +0000

The beads are dazzling and available in vast profusions. But it’s what you can do with them that is the fun part. The Potomac Bead Company offers classes in earring, necklace and watchmaking — as well as gift certificates for all of the above. Perfect for the creative soul on your list.

Strands of gem stones and beads come in a rainbow of hues.

Root Candles At West Liberty, 623 West Liberty Street, (330) 725-6677

gbrown — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:08:04 +0000

Candles from A.I. Root — a “one-size-fits-all-and- delights- everyone” kind of Christmas present. Visitors all over Northeast Ohio come to shop here.

Whitey’s Army and Navy Store, 2 Public Square, (330) 723- 8604

gbrown — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:55:28 +0000

Select something useful for the outdoor lover on your list. Camouflage, cold weather and camping gear — Whitey’s has it all. (See the post of Dec 19).

Interior Design Studio and J & K Gifts, 47 Public Square, (330) 725- 7623

gbrown — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:41:05 +0000

Mark Roberts fairies and elves have been a big hit with adults this year. Christmas, after all, is a magical time, isn’t it?

Medina Hardware, 225 South Court Street, (330) 722-6541

gbrown — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:17:04 +0000

This is a beloved Medina institution — an old fashioned hardware store where you can ask for five small nails if that’s all you need, and someone will climb a ladder to get them for you from the old oak drawers that line the walls.

But a well-kept secret is the outstanding kitchen store in the basement where you can find every imaginable cooking gadget — like this classic cast-iron tea kettle.

Art Gallery 101, 23 Public Square, Suite 11, www.Art-101-Gallery.com

gbrown — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:50:27 +0000

Art 101 Gallery is an elegant new showplace for the work of local artists located in the Town Square Commons on the Square. Through January, gallery owner Lisa Bond is offering a 20% discount on gift certificates and 10% off all inventory.

All Fired Up!, 241 South Court Street, (330) 723-1112

gbrown — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:41:22 +0000

All Fired Up! is where you come to demonstrate your creativity by painting unglazed pottery — plates, platters, frames and any number of items that can be personalized to suit your taste. It can be done individually and it also works well for children’s parties or as a family activity. At this late date — two days before Christmas – a gift certificate might be a wonderful idea.

After the pottery has been painted, it is fired up and ready to be delivered over to you one week later.

12 Wonderful Gifts from Downtown Medina Shops

gbrown — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:16:39 +0000

Medina’s historic downtown district is lined with shops offering a wide variety of elegant and unique gifts. During these last three days before Christmas, let’s look at one special offering from each of 12 stores on or near the Square. (If you are looking for a last minute gift, you may even find a bargain.)

The following posts are gifts one through four: