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WORDS BY NICK BURRY

In full Bloom

The Children’s Discovery
Museum in Normal

Downtown areas are newly flourishing in the twin towns of Bloomington and Normal, Illinois.

New life is popping in the heart of the Corn Belt. Illinois’ twin cities, Bloomington and Normal, are in the middle of an urban renaissance. Where a decade ago suburban sprawl had drained the life from the downtown streets, these days a yoga studio, an organic grocer and a wine shop compete for space. Following the national trend, residents of Bloomington and Normal are moving back downtown, renovating old buildings and opening new businesses. Organizations like the Uniquely Bloomington Downtown Association are combining public and private interests to help revitalize the urban area. As a result, the blocks now bustle with a sense of contagious momentum.

History on the streets
of Bloomington, IL

In Bloomington, a major source of the downtown buzz can be traced to the caffeine-lover’s paradise, The Coffee Hound (407 N. Main St). This isn’t your average milk-and-two-sugars morning pit stop. Store owners Steve and April Fritzen, along with their staff of accomplished baristas, churn out perfect espresso drinks that would raise eyebrows in Seattle. The Coffee Hound can get crowded on Saturday, so grab a double cappuccino to go and stroll over to the weekly Farmers’ Market (Main and Jackson). A cornerstone of downtown Bloomington’s development, the market is not only the best place to browse local organic produce, it’s also an open-air forum for regional artists and musicians.

After sampling the season’s bounty at the Farmers’ Market, visitors can explore the town’s most impressive building: the Old McLean County Courthouse (200 N. Main St). A symbol of Bloomington’s past (and future) regional importance, the restored building now houses the Mclean County Museum of History. The intricate mosaic tile floor and the majestic central rotunda alone are worth the $2 admission.

While the Farmers’ Market and the museum exude local charm, the downtown boutiques proclaim big-city style. Garb of Ages (409A N. Main St) is the kind of store urban hipsters dream of. In this funky shop, patrons pick through hand-selected vintage clothing and timeless accessories as the stereo system pumps out punk rock and blues classics.

Down the block, the visually stimulating store Crossroads (428 N. Main St) connects Bloomington to the global community. The shop is part of a chain of nonprofit retail outlets committed to supporting fair-trade handicrafts from artisans around the world. From tea sets to intricate embroidery, the shelves are stocked with hand-made treasures.

It’s definitely not all work
and no play in downtown
Bloomington.

As lunchtime approaches, hop in the car and pop over to the town of Normal. It’s only a couple of minutes down the road, and residents from across the region flock to Normal’s signature downtown lunch spot: The Garlic Press (102 W. North Street). Here the sandwiches steal the show. Two mouthwatering standouts are the mesquite smoked brisket sandwich with provolone and marinated pepper spread, and a special sandwich featuring the holy trinity of turkey, bacon and avocado. Since Normal is also riding the wave of downtown renewal, there are several cultural attractions within easy walking distance. Completed in 2004, the striking glass structure of the new Children’s Discovery Museum (101 E. Beaufort) symbolizes the success of Normal’s downtown development. After years of planning, the town of Normal recognized the impact that a $4.5 million, 34,000 square foot museum could have on the revitalization effort. The result: three floors of hands-on exhibits that have surpassed attendance predictions for the first year.

Normal Theater,
a showcase for
arthouse films.Another important downtown cultural cornerstone is the Normal Theater (209 W. North St), which first opened in 1937. A fully restored Art Deco gem, the Normal Theater brings international flavor to the city with its screenings of foreign, independent and classic films.

As evening approaches, head back to Bloomington to dine in one the city’s most historic buildings. Located in a remodeled 1902 fire station, the Central Station Café (220 E. Front St) combines healthy portions with a unique atmosphere. Finally, why not cap off the night with a cocktail in The Loft, the upscale upstairs martini bar.

The Bloomington-Normal area has been an important governmental, commercial and cultural center for over a century. Abraham Lincoln worked there. Old Route 66 passes through the city. It’s home to Illinois State University. For years, though, progress spread outward and the downtown areas were neglected.

But now the tide has turned—through city programs and community involvement, urban revitalization has taken off with impressive results in Bloomington-Normal. With a progressive new energy pulsing through the historic downtowns, these twin cities are sure to charm visitors for years to come.

AirTran Airways provides daily flights to Bloomington/Normal. Visit www.airtran.com for more details.

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