I take a walk down the Garland District and it feels like I am walking back in time. The little privately owned shops, 64 of them line the street of 500 W. Garland and ending at Monroe. Each shop has it's own identity that adds an artistic flare to the district. I can spend all day here and not even make it into every shop. It has a comfortable feeling that you can't get walking through any mall or shopping center. I stop first at The Rocket Bakery where I go almost weekly for my favorite coffee and bakery items, which include the whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, no bake cookies, and raspberry bars.
Today I am low on cash and simply order a delicious warm Chai Tea. I take my Chai Tea with me as I head out to window shop.
Next to the Rocket is a printing store right next to a framing store. Next time I need a photograph printed and framed I will know right where to go.
Down the street is a shoe store called The Ruby Slipper. It has the most beautiful shoes in the window and is known for it's one of a kind shoes. If I wasn't just window shopping I would definitely go in and try a pair on, but then that would lead to me buying a pair or two, so I just keep walking.
I decide I am ready for lunch and look across the street. There is the Milk Bottle, but I decide to go to Ferguson's Cafe, which makes every meal homemade. I order my favorite vegetarian omelet.
Ferguson's Cafe is famous for being filmed in several movies made in Spokane. The most famous one would be Benny and June, which starred Johnny Depp.
After lunch I walk further west down the street to my favorite guitar store, Mark's Guitar Shop. They sell new and used electric guitars, acoustic guitars, basses, and amplification. My parents bought me my first acoustic guitar from Mark's for Christmas in 2004.
While I decide what next to do I see The Garland Theatre next to Mark's. Since it's not Wednesday I decide not to catch a movie, because they sell movie tickets for a dollar on Wednesdays until summer starts again.
Instead I head across the street to The Blue Door Theatre. The Blue Door Theatre is Spokane's Improv Company. It is a nonprofit organization that puts on improv shows by volunteers Friday and Saturday nights. It made me laugh so hard you will have to go and check it out.
After the show I am in a great mood and want to meet up with some friends for some drinks, so I head across the street to The Brown Derby, which is one of Spokane's oldest bars.
It has a mural hung on the wall of the original customers in the original bar.
After laughing at the funny characters on the mural a man comes over and pulls out a photograph of the original Brown Derby building in 1932. This bar has a lot of history.
Before I call it a night I have to stop by Price-Rite Foods. No not for the late night munchies, but to admire the mural someone has painted on the building walls. It includes most of the Garland District painted on the walls. My favorite painting is the green trolley that seems to be bringing people to and from the Garland Village, to visit back in time.
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