Going Downtown

   Hung out with my Sister K in downtown Springfield yesterday, on a gorgeous sunny afternoon perfect for people-watching.  From the window of Jimmy John's, we saw folks either dressed up in their snazziest urban-bohemian duds hoping to be seen (how do women manage those sky-high heels on the cracked and bricked sidewalks without breaking their necks??) or looking like they headed out still in their pajamas for a quick run to Kum & Go and ended up downtown hoping not to be seen.  At Park Central Square, we saw the usual mix of grunge skateboarders, bicycling families, and scary-looking, fringe-of-society teenagers hanging out in boisterous clusters.  The Square looked as pretty as I'd seen it in a long time -- clean; not mired in construction; decked out with huge pots of burgundy, goldenrod, and pumpkin-colored mums; and not a storefront vacant (except for the Heer's building, of course -- will that eroding eyesore ever find a tenant??).  
   Heading down South Street, we tried to avoid a threesome setting up literature on a card table on the sidewalk, thinking they were campaigning for some politician or cause.  When the head guy cornered us and asked if we wanted them to pray with us "about anything, love . . . finances . . . health, anything at all," I quickly said, "No, thanks," and walked on.  Sister K gave him a quick lecture about already being a Christian and not needing his help to pray and walked on, too.  Even she thought it was a weird thing for the threesome to do.
   We noticed a new restaurant where Trolley's used to be.  It's called Ry Mac's Rub and Pub.  The slogan on their sign out front read:  We love to rub our meat.  It may be a catchy catchphrase, but even if I wasn't a vegetarian I don't think I'd want to eat their meat.  That's just tacky.
   We popped into another newcomer to downtown, South & Walnut Bar & Grill, to take a peek around.  Sitting on the corner of South and Walnut where Bugsy Malone's used to be, this place has an elegant ambiance, with dark wood floors, cozy tables and a pop of stainless steel stripes fronting the bar.  Daniel, the owner, was always friendly and super knowledgeable as sommelier when he worked at Vino Cellars, so I'm hopeful he'll do well in his new venture as restauranteur.  DMan and I will definitely be going back there again soon to try out what I'm sure is an amazing wine and food selection.
   Strolling down Pershing Street, Funtiques Market looked like a fun place to peruse.  Once inside, we felt like we'd time-warped straight into the living rooms and closets of the Brady Bunch and our grandma!  If you are into everything seventies and earlier, this place will blow your mind.  Their prices were a bit mind-blowing as well, but it was a hoot to trip down the avocado greens and harvest golds of memory lane.
   Itsalldowntown.com is Springfield's website to everything going on around the Square, and they aren't lying.  You can see and experience it ALL downtown.  Check it out for yourself if you haven't been in a while.  The Halloween Pub Crawl is coming up next Saturday, sure to bring even more crrr-aziness to downtown.
   Enjoy these warm temperatures and the rest of your weekend, Yall!