My dear friend, Robin, recently started working in downtown Springfield so it was a given that we had to meet for lunch. I got a tour of her new digs – including her office which borders the sidewalk on McDaniel Street – and loved the original hardwood floors, high ceilings and light fixtures from the early 20th century.
Then we were off to lunch – with a plethora of choices available! We settled on St. Michael’s because I love their salads plus the decor is reminiscent of my high school days – early 60s! The food was excellent and the conversation even better which of course was the real reason for lunch – food was a good excuse to get together. I wasn’t at all surprised to find that one of the things Robin likes best is just being downtown – the location, the energy, the stores and restaurants and even better, free parking a short block away from her office.
After lunch we headed down South Street and I got my first look at the new Bistro Market which opened recently. At 1:30 in the afternoon the place was packed! Every available table was full of people enjoying late lunches or snacks and the line at the dessert/gelato bar kept us from indulging our sweet teeth. I was in awe of how the whole place is arranged – from the incredible meat case to the tempting produce section to the vast wine/liquor area – all of it is aimed at the urban shopper who wants a gourmet selection along with the basics of any grocery store.
Almost makes me want to go back to work downtown just for the experience…………almost……….not quite!
After Robin returned to her day job, I browsed in Ampersand and picked up a few bargains on their sale racks. I needed a few grocery items but didn’t want to go back and battle the crowds at Bistro Market so stopped instead at old faithful Harter House on my way home.
But I have no doubt I will make a return visit to downtown Springfield soon – even if I can’t coax Robin away for lunch I may just treat myself to browsing all the neat little shops and see what discoveries I can make.
And if/when the Heer’s building project is ever complete, downtown Springfield will be even closer to the heyday I remember from my days at Drury.
