Things are looking up in Riverside, and I’m not referring to the rise of the Des Plaines River, which by the time you read this should be on the way down. Nor am I referring to the “rise” of the Village Center building, which I still refer to as the old Henninger site. I’ll get used to the new name as time goes on, but some old habits are hard to break.
I am referring to what seems to be a rise in Riverside’s downtown area, and that’s a good thing. I am optimistic there can be a resurgence in the main area of Riverside, and it is starting to happen.
The Village Center is actively seeking businesses to fill the spaces there. Across the street there’s the opening, or reopening, of jem cafe on Forest Avenue, the site of the former Blue Parrot Restaurant.
The owners, Joyce and Mario Mongello, are putting their spin on the restaurant while keeping a few favorites on the menu. They have done extensive redecorating, and it’s looking good. For those of us who are still going through withdrawals after Chew Chew Cafe closed, we will have another place to dine for dinner. Many of us who have been here awhile may remember that at one time Dr. McCarthy was the occupant of the site.
In addition, there’s a dance studio ready to open in the corner space of the same building, and the windows sport awnings, a nice touch. Most people remember Arcade Antiques (now on Burlington) was there for years. But prior to that there was a drug store. I remember the phone booth in the drug store. Now you’re lucky if you can find a pay phone.
Also in the same building there had been the Christian Science Reading Room. As a child I always wondered what they were reading that they needed their own place. Come to think of it there never seemed to be anyone in there. Must be something religious about that building, because now we can visit the Fra Angelico Foundation there as well.
Across Centennial Park, the building on the corner of Longcommon and Burlington is getting some much needed attention with refacing hopefully being the first step. The corner store had been the home of Petersen’s Ice Cream (get it at Grumpy’s) and Liken’s Dry goods store was next door. Work has begun on the “grand old lady,” the Arcade Building, with the intention of keeping and attracting business to the area. I know what I would like to see, but I won’t go there.
It would be nice to have an “Invest in Riverside” program to encourage businesses to come to our historic village, and if building owners have attractive buildings it can happen. But people need to support the businesses.
We currently have a few businesses that make it and make it attractive for others to join in and invest in Riverside. I like what we have so far, but would like to see a gourmet deli and bake shop (cupcakes, anyone?) which would do catering and have prepared meals for busy people and commuters.
How about a little place called “Hi Tea” which would specialize in teas and serving scones and little cakes with limited hours? How about a place to display the creativity of many residents and possibly sell items on a consignment basis. Years ago there was a shop that did just that.
I don’t know about you but I would like see more of my tax dollars staying in Riverside. There is something nice about shopping where you live and seeing people you know as you go about things.