Carmel’s officially opened on November 15th, 1969 at 606 Oak Street. The carryout idea didn’t work out for her though so in 1970 Rhoda purchased 7 tables at an auction for $10.00 a piece and bought chrome kitchen chairs at the Salvation Army for 50 cents a piece. The first time Carmel’s grossed $100.00 in sales, Rhoda felt like she owned a gold mine! By the way, did you know Rhoda didn’t even have a license to sell margaritas then? She did it anyway! Shame on her. From This point, the business was growing like weeds. She needed a bigger place so she decided to move the business to 5112 Lewis Avenue on February 1st, 1971. Business got even better at this point. Rhoda only had a beer and wine license that enabled her to buy no bigger than 42 proof tequila. Again, she cheated. She started buying 80 proof tequila from retail liquor stores and mixed that with the 42 poof tequila, which aids in the recipes for the margaritas we still drink today.
In 1975, Rhoda was ready to own her own building. She found the building where the restaurant stands today at 2947 Tremainsville Rd. She purchased the building through land contract. The building was remodeled to suit her satisfaction. The business opened on Tremainsville on July 15th, 1975. On July 3, 1995 Carmel’s expanded and added the patio. We’re Still going strong! We would like to thank Toledo and all other residents who are our best customers and hope you will be with us for another 41 years to come!