Cool Places
Primal Fitness Training comes to Downtown Phoenix
February 2, 2010 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
The Downtown Phoenix Warehouse District is now home to an innovative Fitness Training Studio. The AmenZone is now open for business at 106 E Buchanan St. The idea behind owner/trainer Amen Iseghohi’s training approach is to be “totally natural”. Shunning the weight room, Amen’s unique approach uses recycled tires and one’s own body strength and movement to stay fit.
The fitness studio is in a very cool, renovated warehouse space with gated parking in the rear of the building.
Urban Beans
January 8, 2010 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
A new, locally owned Coffee Bar opened in Midtown Phoenix recently. Urban Beans, is the creation of 2 local Architects, who also own the entire complex where the business has opened. Kim Kristoff and Virginia Senior purchased and rehabbed the 1954 Mercury Building warehouse at 3508 N. Seventh St. two years ago as part of a venture with their firm, Phoenix-based Senior Rae Kristoff Architects. The company improved the property and signed a handful of independent retail tenants.
Still, one suite remained empty, so the duo decided it was time for them to open a community coffeehouse. The space opened in late September of 2009 and has a “great vibe”. The menu looks good, they have Free wi-fi and they are bringing in local artists and local musicians to provide some inspiration. On my first visit to Urban Beans, I noticed they have Scrabble on Monday nights, which I will definitely have to check out.
Drip is Toast
January 1, 2010 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
Well not really, but the same great people that brought you the Drip Coffee Lounge have re-tooled and now opened the Toast Breakfast Boutique. Using all local and mostly organic products, Toast is a one-of-a-kind breakfast boutique in downtown Phoenix. It’s small, intimate modern atmosphere provides a place to relax, eat & have a conversation.
The menu changes frequently, but you will always be able to order the fabulous NYC egg sandwich. So stop in – eat, relax and leave your laptop at the office!
Toast Breakfast Boutique is located at 2327 N. 7th Street
For business hours and contact info, visit the Toast website
Bowling is coming to Downtown Phoenix
September 9, 2009 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
The Private Lounge - Courtesy of Lucky Strike Lanes
A 12-lane bowling alley is coming to Downtown Phoenix in 2010 in what would seem to be an unlikely spot.
The Phoenix Business Journal reported on Friday that RED Development, the developer for CityScape has struck a deal with the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, a Hollywood-based entertainment concept, to bring a high-energy operation to the high-rise project. Inspired by the iconic Hollywood Star Lanes, the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge operation has grown from its initial Hollywood location to 21 locations in 13 states.
Although the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge is not open yet, it definitely makes the “Cool Places” list for Downtown Phoenix.
More press about Lucky Strike Lanes
Drip Coffee Lounge
July 20, 2009 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
The Drip definitely qualifies as one of Downtown Phoenix’s cool places. Headquartered on 7th St in the Sheridan Square complex, in the Coronado Historic District, the Drip serves up a great menu of organic meals and brews for breakfast and lunch. The interior is modern and minimalist and the atmosphere is friendly, with Gina Madrid delivering smiles and your order to your table. The multi-talented Vine’ Saccento will probably be preparing your food in the kitchen, but he is known to circulate from table to table to check on you.
The Drip is located at 2325 N 7th St. www.dripcoffeelounge.com
Tuck Shop
July 14, 2009 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
The name of this establishment is very unusual, actually when reading some of the Yelp reviews, I thought it was pretty funny that one person doing google searches for the place was looking for Truck Stop. Anyway, in the heart of the Coronado Historic District at the circle intersection, 12th St & Oak, has arisen a new restaurant whose offerings, the owners have dubbed “neighborhood comfort food”. The space was originally, a local branch of a Credit Union or Bank with vault still intact. The building has been transformed by it’s owner DJ, also a Construction guy into a mid-century modern looking hangout. Sounds like people are liking the citrus brined fried chicken with white cheddar waffles and the gin and tonic with homemade gin and a cucumber twist.
Royal Coffee Bar
July 14, 2009 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
Definitely in the category of one of downtown’s cool places, the Royal Coffee Bar is located at the corner of 2nd Ave & Jackson St in SoDo Phoenix. This is a great space, designed by owner/Architect Hayes McNeil. With large windows and modern furniture inside, you get that loft-like feel to the space.
The RCB is easy to like and is very popular, earning New Times Best Coffeehouse south of the ballpark 2008 and New Times Best downtown phoenix coffeehouse 2007.
SuTRA Midtown Yoga – Way Cool!
July 11, 2009 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
Matt & Rebecca Fritz, Coronado Historic District residents, have opened a very innovative Yoga Studio at Midtown’s Sheridan Square on 7th St, between McDowell and Thomas. Featuring a lineup that includes variations of yoga done to things like ballet, sumba, belly dance and kung fu, Matt & Rebecca are on a mission to “liberate yoga from all the rigid rules, strict poses and preconceived notions that can make yoga so blah, even for people who’ve practiced yoga for years”. I visited their studio earlier this month, to check out the place and was impressed with not only their “unique class offerings” but also with the space that they have created to provide all of these great experiences for you and I. Looks like they spent some serious money to renovate the interior of this former window blind factory (if I remember right).
Anyway, I felt better about my day, my outlook on life and generally received a little emotional lift, just hanging out in the building and I didn’t even take a class. They have way too many things going on at the studio to list in this short space and so I would advise you to check out their website to view their extensive class offerings & calendar. Kudos to Matt & Rebecca for following their dream and providing this space and their fresh new approach to the fine people of Central Phoenix and beyond.
Downtown Phoenix Journal article about SuTRA
Hanny's is now open
December 30, 2008 by Lyle Plocher · Leave a Comment
The reviews have been mixed on the new Hanny’s Restaurant which recently opened in the former Men’s Clothing Store of the same name at 1st St & Adams in Downtown Phoenix. I have been there once for a brief business meeting and did not get to sample the menu. The interior renovations are very classy with a minimalist kind of effect. More to come on both the space and the food.
