Navigating Rio Nuevo
By Karen Thoreson
ummer is here, and as the temperature heats up, business in the Old Pueblo tends to slow down. With the majority of snowbirds and University students gone until fall or winter, many businesses see their revenues drop predictably as the days lengthen and the cicadas sing their hot-weather song. Business always picks up again with the return of cooler weather, but the months in between can be a bit of a strain on many local establishments.
Downtown and the surrounding area are home to a strong base of small businesses, from specialty retail stores and gift shops to restaurants, cafés, and more – together they make this area a unique and lively destination. Remembering them when you’re looking for a book, a card, a meal out or even just a sweet treat makes a world of difference this time of year.
Restaurants alone number over two dozen in the Downtown area, many of which have been here for generations. This is a great time to visit an old favorite, like Café Poca Cosa, Barrio, or El Charro, or try one of the new ones that keep appearing as Downtown heats up as a destination for residents and tourists. Caffé Milano has just been renovated to twice its former size. The Italian eatery has also expanded its delicious menu and extended its hours. You’ll have to wait a few months to experience Central in the Historic Depot on Toole Avenue, but it’s sure to be worth the anticipation.
After you dine, check out one of Downtown’s many options for live entertainment. The Tucson Convention Center brings world-class music, theatre, comedy and other exciting cultural events to thousands of Tucsonans throughout the year. Club Congress, Heart-Five, the newly renovated Rialto Theatre and a number of other Downtown-area clubs also connect us with the best live music from local and national artists.
Nowhere in Tucson is there a greater concentration of art galleries, arts organizations and museums than in Downtown. The Warehouse Arts District is busy year-round with the work of many talented artists, several of whom are known and appreciated by art lovers all over the country. On the museum side, the Tucson Museum of Art is running a statewide exhibition titled “Arizona Biennial ’05” through August 21. The show “presents the vitality of the arts in Arizona by revealing new trends and reinforcing artistic traditions.” But hurry - you only have until July 10 to see an intriguing traveling exhibit at TMA featuring over 50 prints by Lon Megargee, known as “Arizona’s original cowboy artist.”
Downtown offers great summertime arts opportunities for kids, too. TUSD and Tucson Pima Arts Council’s cooperative summer sculpture program for kids 13-18 is just one example of how fun and learning can come together when school is out and the heat is on. For younger children (and their overheated parents!), Summer Art Mondays at the Tucson Children’s Museum offers a cool, creative escape from the doldrums of summer.
If you’re a book lover, this is a great time of year to browse the stacks in air-conditioned comfort at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, or enjoy the intimate atmosphere and helpful staff at Biblio on Congress Street or Antigone Books on Fourth Avenue. Where else but Antigone can you see a middle-aged male store clerk wearing a t-shirt that says, “Feminist chicks dig me”? Or read this quote from local author Barbara Kingsolver written on the inside of the bathroom door: “Wherever you go, you always feel at home in a feminist bookstore bathroom.”
Fourth Avenue is a great complement to Downtown with more restaurants, cafés, gift stores, and other treasures that make the area Tucson’s most unique place to shop. This lively little street is also home to southwest furniture stores, jewelry shops, pubs, new and vintage clothing boutiques, gifts stores, hair salons and more. For organic foods, earth-friendly products and bulk items, there’s nothing like the Food Conspiracy Co-op, which has been feeding minds and appetites on the Avenue for decades.
I’ve only scratched the surface of what Downtown has to offer in the summertime. The Tucson Downtown Alliance provides a terrific and extensive on-line calendar of Downtown events on its web site. Go to www.downtowntucson.org and click on ‘events’ for more happenings than you can hope to fit into your summertime schedule, from farmers markets and fitness classes to poetry readings and live music.
I hope you embrace and enjoy the unique experience of summertime in Downtown Tucson. Let the weather slow you down as you soak up the sights and sounds of one of the Southwest’s most happening destinations. And remember: a healthy base of businesses and community organizations are a big part of what makes Downtown Tucson unique, and they need our support.
Karen Thoreson is a Downtown enthusiast and City of Tucson Assistant City Manager. Her primary responsibilities are the Río Nuevo project and Downtown. If you have questions about Río Nuevo or suggestions on topics for this column, please contact Ms. Thoreson at Karen.Thoreson@tucsonaz.gov.
