Street Scene: Saginaw Street

Saginaw Street in downtown — a.k.a. "the bricks” — has reinvented itself in recent years, opening everything from restaurants and a wine bar to a yoga studio and day spa. Here are some top spots, from Court Street north to the river.

 

1. The Lunch Studio
444 S Saginaw St Now 10 years old, this popular midday eatery was one of the first to bring good eats back downtown. It serves the best chicken salad sandwich on the bricks. 810-424-9868; flintlunchstudio.com

2. 501 Bar and Grill
500 S Saginaw St Flint’s own Manhattan-style martini bar is the perfect place for sipping cocktails paired with tasty plates like tenderloin tips with balsamic syrup and remoulade. Arrive early to avoid the crowds. 810410-4406; 501barandgrill.com

3. Blackstone’s Pub & Grill
531 S Saginaw St This big noisy pub is named for the men’s clothing shop that resided here before. Locals love the “blarney stones” (a.k.a. pizzas); the “Flintstone” is topped with ground beef, cheddar jack cheese, homegrown Koegels hot dog slices, onions and tangy mustard. 810-2349011; blackstonesgrill.com

4. Garibella Salon
555 S Saginaw St, Ste 103 Shear the shag or opt for some posh pampering with a facial or pedicure at this full-service day salon and spa decorated with vintage photos of Flint. 810-2389000; garibellasalon.com

5. The Yoga Loft & Sharp Fitness
555 S Saginaw St, Ste 104 If you want to work in a workout, head to this studio, where drop-ins can take everything from yoga and Tai Chi to cardio kickboxing and Zumba. 810-232-2210; yogaloftflint.com

6. Cork on Saginaw
635 S Saginaw St This wine bar featuring 28 wines by the glass is decorated with leather chairs, marble counters and polished cement floors. There’s a lengthy small-plates menu, but local caterer-chef Marge Murphy’s best surprise is the bacon cashew caramel corn. 810422-9625; corkonsaginaw.com

7. Bill Thomas’ Halo Burger
800 S Saginaw St The original 1923 Kewpee Hotel Hamburgs joint became Halo in 1967, and it’s still a Flint tradition (though the Thomas family said goodbye in 2010). Where else can you eat an olive burger (a Flint staple, it just means “topped with olives”) beneath authentic Art Deco chandeliers and mosaic tiles? 810-238-4607; haloburger.com

8. Greater Flint Arts Council
816 S Saginaw St The granddaddy of Flint’s art revival, GFAC coordinates the Second Friday Artwalk, when the city turns out in style for art, food and music at various spots down Saginaw Street. July 8, 6pm to 9pm; 810-238-2787; greaterflintartscouncil.org