I’m discovering something interesting about moving and it was faster than I thought it would be.
Even though I’m still in Springfield, it’s like I’m in a whole new town.
I went to my old apartment today to turn the keys into the landlord and it hit me how different my house is from my apartment. In my apartment, if I wanted something to eat, I had Tortilla’s Mexican Restaurant or Indigo Joe’s or Wendy’s or Longhorn Grill or Pizza Stop or Arby’s or Subway or China King within ten minutes’ walking distance. If I wanted to get out of the house to work I could go to Cassils Coffee Cafe a few minutes down Republic Road and have a nice hot chocolate and work via the free Wi-Fi. It was often busy but never too loud to work (except maybe when the Skinny Improv was there.) There was a Price Cutter just a ten minute walk from the apartment. I didn’t have to drive practically anywhere to get things that I needed or to just get out of the apartment.
Now, I find myself in a residential area where even though I’ve driven through here I have no idea where almost anything is downtown that might fit what I’m looking to find. For example, can I find a coffee house with free Wi-Fi that makes decent hot chocolate? (Don’t drink coffee, never have…) I’m about a mile from the square so I’m assuming there is somewhere in walking distance that would fit the bill. Since I’m within a mile of the Moxie (I think) then it would probably make sense to go check them out but I don’t know how hard it is to get tickets to shows there. I know they’re the hot thing downtown so are they often sold out? I love being within walking distance of the Skinny and have more of an opportunity to see Springfield’s top comedic actor, Jeff Houghton. I’m actually closer to where The 2nd Stage is supposed to be. (Are they really opening back up and if so, when?)
I know there are a ton of downtown restaurants to choose from although since I think DiGiancinto’s is so far ahead of everyone else I’ll probably limit my downtown dining to an occasional visit to Jimmy John’s. I do need to try and find a good Chinese place in my area.
I was happy to discover Downtown Market within a ten minute walk of my house. I always prefer shopping at a local grocer versus Wal*Mart or Price Cutter. (Edit: I’ve found out that Price Cutter is “locally owned.” I meant someone who’s an independent grocer when I said “local” when this was originally posted.) That’s a big plus of the new house versus the apartment. However, since I try to eat a mostly organic diet, is there a good store for organic food downtown? I guess I can always drive to Mama Jean’s on Campbell.
Then there’s the whole working out issue. I know the YMCA is downtown but I’m not really looking to “bulk up” as much as continue to get fit via walking and occasionally riding my bike. Are there decent parks where you can walk without being hassled? I used to walk around my apartment complex and the strip mall where Indigo Joe’s is located but I don’t know how safe it is to walk in this neighborhood. I can say that in the few days I’ve been here that at least 75% of the cars on our street think the speed limit is more like a guideline. (Does KSPR still do their Speed Zone segment? And no, it’s not just because I’d want to spend time hanging out with Emily Rittman. Although, Em, if you and the hubby want to come over and have dinner sometime my fiancee makes some really mean pasta. I’ve already broken bread with Ron and you could have a leg up on Joe and Christine.) I don’t want to pay $50 bucks or more for a gym membership just to use a treadmill.
Maybe I can stalk Matt at Go Magazine and force him to spill some beans on places I might dig. If you’re a downtown denizen and could recommend some places to check out, post them in the comment section. Otherwise I guess it’s just time to play hit and miss until I find something enjoyable downtown. (Does Well Fed Head have a reading room?)
I used to live in the “hood’ nr downtown. It was mostly safe. The only problems I noticed living there is that there was alot of petty crime 9drug dealings, prostitution, etc) around the market area at State and Campbell. The ambulance noise around the high tower public housing blocks occassionally got annoying but really not much different when I lived in a loft on Park Central with the nightly ambulance and police noise at Culley’s bar (now closed).
Mocha and wi-fi at Mudhouse
Try the Moxie on Monday, $5 tickets
Marco’s Pizzeria makes Itialian Beef and Gyro’s like Chicago’s finest
Nonna’s is the best value in Italian in town
Riksha (just N of the Square) is great Chinese
Thanks Ole!
I don’t know how close you are to the MSU campus, but you could always use the campus as some sort of walking trail. I also think there’s a health food store on the west side of downtown, though I can’t remember if it’s on Mt. Vernon or State streets. Be sure to try Riad’s for lunch as well!
I know you love Digiacintos, so I’ll add that Nonna’s is the best Italian in town, next to Diagiacintos.
Also, if you want some high-caloric comfort food, try The Blue Plate downtown for an affordable lunch.
I am really dating myself, but, in my opinion, the best Italian restaurant in Springfield bit the dust many years ago. It was Napolitano’s and it was located on Walnut, just west of Jefferson on the north side of the street.
There also used to be a pancake house on Jefferson just north of Walnut, about across from Millie’s. At one time it and the Sycamore Inn (Glenstone and St. Louis) were the only places open in Springfield after the bars closed.
All these comments are helping me out as well…having just moved to Springfield the only places I’m familiar with downtown are The Blue Plate, Mudhouse and Jimmy John’s.
FYI…
Price Cutter is locally owned, unlike Wal-Mart.
Also, Price Cutter Plus stores have extensive natural/organic sections and free wi-fi in their Starbucks shops.
Jill…thanks for that info. I should have said “independent grocer” which is what I was referring to by the term “local.”
I’ve seen the organic section at Price Cutter and I wouldn’t consider it “extensive” but they did have some variety. Certainly more than Wal*Mart.
Yes, we are still doing speed zone but we are in the process of purchasing a new radar gun and I’m assuming Barkley is my hubby
Thanks for the invite. I might have to take you up on that but I don’t know if Barkley has had enough ettiquette training to go to dinner.
Price Cutter will never get a dime of my money. Why? Because the people running the company are idiots and they treat their employees unfairly.
Just a bunch of rednecks, spitting tobacco, acting like they know how to run a business when they have no clue.
Have you noticed how many items in their store are expired? Look at the dates before you put something in your cart. You’ll be surprised. And just try to get someone to even offer you parcel pick-up or take your groceries to your car. It’s not going to happen.
Don’t forget about their farce of calling themselves “employee-owned.” Those poor employees aren’t building up any type of equity through that program. It’s set up to benefit those at the very top.