Spokane, WA

Spring is almost here. The sun is shining, the snow is melting and my crocuses are popping out of the ground but it was time to get some fresh air today. A walk through the Garland Shopping District was just what the doctor ordered. The Garland District begins at about 500 West Garland and ends at Monroe (900 W. Garland).

The beginning of the Garland District starts with Sew Ez Too, a quilt and yarn shop. Sew Ez Too has bolts of fabric overflowing into the isles. I have spent many hours perusing through the shelves. They also have a wonderful array of yarn to suit all of your knitting and crocheting needs.

Well touring the Garland District there are two coffee shops where you can get your caffeine and pastry fix. The first is the Second Wind Espresso (corner of Post and Garland), which is a drive through espresso shop, but has excellent coffee and wonderful pastries from the Rocket Bakery. If you are looking for a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and pastry, try the Rocket Bakery which is located at 903 W. Garland.

After getting a cup of coffee, I hit the streets to do some window shopping. Since the point of my walk was to get fresh air, I mainly window shopped but did duck in to the used book store, Book Traders, to check out what they had in stock. I could not find what I was looking for, but they have a great selection of used books and an awesome book exchange policy. I plan on cleaning out my book shelves and exchanging them for some books I have not read yet.

After coming out of the book store, I made my way window shopping by the Tin Man Gallery, which specializes in exhibits from regional artists, focusing on painting. Tin Man also is an independent book store.

After passing the Tin Man Gallery, I walked by Ruby Slippers, a shoe store. Now I am not talking your normal shoe store, I am talking one of a kind shoes. They had the most beautiful shoes in the windows. If I had not had my toddler with me, I would have been likely to try a pair on and take some home.

If antique shopping is more your thing, there are two or three antique stores in the Garland District. There is also a used clothing consignment store and a consignment baby store along with the American Lung Cancer Thrift Store.

If after a full day or hour of shopping you need to re-fuel be sure to stop by the Milk Bottle or Ferguson’s for lunch. There are a few other restaurants or deli’s in the Garland District but I have never eaten there. I will check them out this summer and let you all know how they were.

At the end of the Garland District stands the Garland Theatre. The Garland Theatre is an old fashioned theater in town that only charges $3.50 for a ticket and $4.75 for a bottomless tub of popcorn. For a listing of their current movies check out their website at www.garlandtheater.com.

Finally, the Garland District hosts a street fair every summer the second weekend in August. It is a lot of fun with activities for the entire family.

So, next time you are looking for something fun to do with your family, check out the Garland District.