Mr. Wimp's Coins and Jewelry

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

This is the former Mr. Wimps coin shop on Wells Street in Fort Wayne. The store was in this building for several decades, and moved to a newer location on West State Boulevard a few years ago.

Since I was very young, I have always thought that the owner of this place had to have the most unfortunate family name that one could have. Can you imagine the teasing he must have endured as a child? When I was getting ready to put this photograph on my website, I did some research and found the Mister Wimp's website. It says the founder's name was actually Norman Rau. Wimpy was his nickname, which is probably worse, but he used it to create a business that has endured since 1962!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Here's another from Wells Street.

Klemm's Kafe has been a fixture on Fort Wayne's Wells Street for more than 20 years. The neon sign in the window claims that they have the best breakfast in town!

Several years ago, when the city banned smoking in restaurants, with private clubs exempt from the ban, Klemm's owners put up signs on the door declaring the restaurant to be a private club with a yearly membership fee. If I remember correctly, it was something like a dollar a year! The city didn't buy it, and eventually they took down the signs. I wish that I had gotten a photograph of it back then.

 

[MickH]

It's a bit of a step up to that side door!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

It's a bit of a step up to that side door!

LOL, the side door of Klemm's is further back on the side of the building.

 

[Muggins]

Since I was very young, I have always thought that the owner of this place had to have the most unfortunate family name that one could have.

Totally irrelevant, Chris, so apologies for the thread hijack, but I've just discovered today that Vernon Darryl Philander has made his debut for South Africa. V D Philander....

If you doubt me, it's all here...
http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2011/engine/current/match/514029.html

 

[Muggins]

Sorry Chris, I didn't realise that I was going to kill your thread stone dead, or I'd have held fire. I feel particularly embarrassed as I enjoy your evocations of a land alien to my eyes.

😱

Adrian

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Adrian,

You didn't kill it, it had been up a couple days with only one other comment anyway so it was dead from the beginning 😛

 

[gdmcclintock]

Chris,

I hope you have the opportunity to produce a book of your work in Fort Wayne and its environs. Mr. Wimp's Coins, Inc. will make a terrific cover!

George