SUNDAY DRIVER Old-style charm awaits in Medina



MEDINA -- If you've ever tuned in to PBS' "Antiques Roadshow," you've probably seen advertisements for the Medina Antique Mall, located in the quaint town of Medina about 25 miles south of Cleveland.
With more than 500 dealers and a reputation as the "premier antique mall of the Midwest," the mall promises bliss for folks who like antiques.
It was the lure of this mega-sized mall that recently drew me to Medina, but it was the charm of the town itself that captured my fancy.
With a dusting of snow and Christmas greens still intact, downtown Medina looks just like a real-life toyland town.
Shoppers and tourists stroll lamppost-lined sidewalks, and stately, old-fashioned storefronts encircle a spacious public square graced with a pretty Victorian gazebo.
"What a nice escape from the winter blahs," I thought as I browsed the downtown's delightful shops and later dined at the cozy yet upscale Grand Market Grille, located at 108 Public Square.
If you seek diversion from the January doldrums, consider paying Medina a visit. It's less than a two-hour drive from Youngstown and has so much to offer.
Malls and shops
The Medina Antique Mall, at 2792 Medina Road about five minutes outside of downtown, attracts antiques lovers from near and far.
Downtown Medina and greater Medina County are also home to dozens more antique malls and shops, including Grandma Hattie's at 240 State route 18, Medina; Broadway Antiques at 326 N. Broadway St., Medina; Medina Depot Antique Mall at 620 W. Liberty St. Medina; This-N-That Antiques at 234 E. Washington St., Medina; Brothers Antique Mall at 6132 Wooster Pike, Medina; and Home Sweet Home Antiques at 6735 Center Road, in nearby Valley City, just to name a few.
If you like to shop but not for antiques, choose from dozens of specialty shops including: the Medina Chocolate Box at 6 Public Square; Wind and Sea at 44 Public Square; Medina's Quilting Bee at 215 S. Court St.; Strictly Bears and Dolls at 4 Public Square; or Ormandy's Trains and Toys at 10 Public Square, an authorized dealer of collectible model trains.
Museums
Speaking of trains, Medina is also home to some interesting museums, including The Medina Toy and Train Museum.
This second-floor museum, at 7 Public Square, houses hundreds of model trains, model airplanes, old dolls and rare antique toys.
The highlight of the museum is an operating train layout where toy trains snake through a miniature town complete with lights, tunnels and tiny houses.
For more information about the museum call (330) 764-4455.
Housed in an old dairy building at Medina's Elm Farm at 1050 Lafayette Road is America's Ice Cream and Dairy Museum.
Here visitors will learn about the history of ice cream and the history of milk processing in America. For tours call (330) 764-9269.
Animal farms
Alpaca farms are plentiful in Medina County, and visitors can get a closer look at these whimsical critters at three county farms.
Pride of the Andes, at 4181 Avon Lake Road in Litchfield, about 10 minutes northwest of downtown, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The farm features Peruvian and Chilean alpacas. Visitors don't need an appointment for a tour.
Magical Farms, at 5280 Avon Lake Road, also in Litchfield, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is home to the second largest herd of alpacas in North America.
About 1,000 colorful alpacas roam the farm's lush pastures. For a tour call (330) 667-3233.
Majestic Meadows Alpacas, at 4195 Abbeyville Road, Medina, is a smaller farm with about 30 alpacas. Call (330) 725-2977 for an appointment.
Alpacas aren't the only unusual livestock populating Medina County.
The owners of Whitefeather Meats, at 14079 Cleveland Road in Creston, which is about 10 minutes south of downtown Medina, raise bison and operate their own meat processing plant on the premises.
Visitors can observe bison grazing in open fields or buy some of their very own buffalo meat. For more information call (330) 435-6300.
If buffalo meat isn't exotic enough for you, pay a visit to Aungst Ostrich Farm at 6761 W. Smith Road, Medina and purchase some ostrich meat, which farm owners call "the healthy red meat." For a tour of the farm call (330) 723-7216.
Markets
Agricultural Medina County abounds with garden and farm markets.
Boyert's Greenhouse and Farm, at 7171 Wooster Pike, Medina, specializes in herbs, scented geraniums, houseplants, perennials and garden accessories, and Forgotten Thyme Gardens, at 6253 Norwalk Road, Medina, specializes in shade-loving plants and rock-gardens supplies.
At Apple Country Farm and Craft Market, at 2993 Pearl Road, Medina, visitors can browse a quaint country store brimming with crafts, artwork, garden d & eacute;cor, Amish outdoor furniture and produce.
Mapleside Farms, at 249 Pearl Road in nearby Brunswick, is a country restaurant, bakery, apple house, gift shop and ice cream parlor all rolled into one.
Restaurants
Folks who don't dine at Mapleside Farms might want to try Miss Molly's Tea Room at 140 W. Washington St., Medina. Here visitors can select from a lavish Victorian menu and browse a gift shop brimming with special teas and clever gifts.
The Medina Steak House and Saloon at 538 W. Liberty St., Medina, pleases heartier appetites with Angus beef, pasta, chops, chicken and seafood, while the Grand Market Grille, at 108 Public Square, has been voted the No. 1 restaurant in the county thanks to its sumptuous seafood, steaks and prime rib.
Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant, at 903 N. Court St., Medina, serves up pizza in a casual atmosphere, and Dan's Hotdog Eatery, at 111 W. Liberty St., Medina, offers burgers, hot dogs and salads amid 1950s-style d & eacute;cor.
With so many places to shop and so many places to eat, you might worry about breaking a few new year's resolutions.
Not to fear. You can walk off your dessert at one of Medina county's many parks.
Parks
The Medina County Parks District at 6364 Deerview Lane, Medina, offers hiking trails, picnic shelters and playground equipment.
Nearby Sharon Center, just southeast of downtown, boasts the Wolf Creek Environmental Education Center, which includes a wildlife sanctuary and 4-acre wetland.
Buckeye Woods park in Lafayette, just south of downtown Medina, has hiking trails, sports fields, playground and a 3-acre fishing lake.
For more information about these parks and others in the area call the Medina County Park District at (330) 722-9364.
XFor more information about Medina County call the Medina County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 860-2943 or visit www.visitmedinacounty.com on the Web.