The Metro Monthly

The Metro Monthly is a large format Youngstown, Ohio monthly (hence the name) newspaper filled with local news, local ads and a calendar that details what to do in the Valley. And while this free (even better) publication is very informative – and I always make a point of picking one up on my way out of the Youngstown YMCA – there is this really interesting aspect of the Metro Monthly that is often over-looked. They have a store.

Sure it’s an on-line store, so you need a computer to shop here, but logging on and pulling up the Metro Monthly Department Store link will afford those who live near-by as well as those who live far and wide, an opportunity to show their Y-Town pride. There is great history associated with Youngstown – people, places, the surrounding towns; history only a Youngstown area resident will appreciate and reminisce about. The Metro Monthly Department Store’s objective, it seems, is to not let this history be forgotten.

Boots Bell was a well-known radio broadcaster in the Mahoning Valley who was, well, just extremely cool. His voice was memorable; one so distinct when heard, everyone knew it was Boots Bell. And he was the epitome of smooth – complete with his own groovy phrases, that if repeated – instant hip-ness was yours. Boots Bell t-shirts bearing his caricature done by The Wizard are available at the Metro Monthly store. Wear one of these and you just might hear someone utter the classic Boots Bell phrase, “Yes indeedy doody daddy, have yourself a happy!”

What Y-Town native worth their weight in Strouss’ chocolate malts did not adore Idora Park – the gem of the South Side of Youngstown? In 2009, it will be 25 years since that fateful fire closed Idora Park, at the time one of the few remaining urban amusement parks. The Metro Monthly offers t-shirts and hoodies bearing the logos of favorite Idora Park attractions like the Lost River ride, the Wildcat and Jack Rabbit roller-coasters and the perennial favorite fun house – the Wacky Shack.

Youngstown is proud of its historic architecture and realizes their importance – so does the Metro Monthly. Pins and magnets featuring photos of well-known structures are available like the fancy script insignia of the Strouss-Hirshberg’s building; the ornate Art Deco carvings on the outside of the Peggy Ann building; as well as the iconic landmark standing tall over the city of Youngstown, Ohio for decades – the Home Savings tower. Great vintage photographic images of Youngstown’s Market Street Bridge appear on calendars, journal covers or coffee mugs.

Want more Youngstown nostalgia? How about boxer shorts bearing the Red Barn logo? Does anyone remember the Big Barnie – the precursor to McDonald’s Big Mac? The Big Barnie was so much better – my opinion completely! The Red Barn was also known for its crispy fried chicken and 15 cent hamburgers.

Be sure the baby in the family promotes Youngstown’s past by scoring a bib decorated with the logo of the former Warren Sanitary Milk Co.; or a toddler t-shirt decorated with the logo of the Lincoln Knolls Bowl-o-Mat? The selection found at the Metro Monthly Store is extensive and unique.

Do be a walking billboard by wearing the name of some retail monstrosity on your chest – promote the Steel Valley. Visit www.metromonthly.net and get yourself some Y-Town loot.

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