And yes, I know, there are some out there who hate the changes in the streets so much they've sworn off going downtown. But really, are those good reasons not to support local people who are trying to make a living when their product is as good, sometimes better, and the prices are comparable?
Everyone knows by now how much I want everyone to support the efforts to bring life back to the downtown area. Most anyone who reads this remembers that I grew up on the streets of Kokomo when that didn't mean what it typically does today. My memories of downtown come from the perspective of a 7 to 15 year old unlike a couple of other notable people who bring you memories of the area. In case you are someone who stumbles on this by accident, I'll add just a little more to that.
My mother worked at one of the many movie theatre's downtown and we lived just half a block from Lincoln School which is on the corner of Taylor & Indiana streets. Nearly everyday after school I could be found downtown, checking in with her, running in and out of the many stores around the square and the 2 to 5 blocks in every direction such as dime & department stores, multiple drug stores, etc. I even made my way fairly often to the hatchery on north Buckeye to see the baby chickens. I had a friend whose mother worked at Dean's Donuts on Washington St at the railroad track, just a little south of where Kentucky Fried Chicken is today. Needless to say I could be found there fairly often eating donuts fresh out of the fryer! To this day I can still smell them. Honestly, I could write a small book that many, at least in my age group, would find pretty interesting and nostalgic.
At any rate, my point here is that I've been following and loving what's been happening to the downtown area for the past few years. The only thing I don't like is that it's happening at a time that I can't enjoy it as much as I could have when I was younger. I eat downtown as often as I can and confess that I go to whichever place has a "really close" parking spot. This is due only to the fact that both my knees are so bad I can barely walk. I've been seen circling the block multiple times, however, when my taste buds want to go to a particular place. Since I'm so old and decrepit I have the time and patience it takes to do this! :))
I've eaten at every place mentioned except The Coterie (steps) and Marble The Steakhouse (new) and Superior V (new). All of the places to eat are, in my opinion, either very good or wonderful. If you haven't taken the time to check these places out please do so in order to help keep our downtown going and give our local's a chance to wow you, both with food and everything else available. I'd be shocked if you didn't wonder why you haven't done so earlier.
Oh, and don't forget First Friday's ....
