Many would say that part of Springfield’s appeal comes in the atmosphere that combines good food and friends. Downtown is a popular destination, but if you explore beyond the downtown scene you will find there are many other places that provide an atmosphere for entertainment.

The Missouri chapter of American Planning Association (APA) recently announced their “2018 Great Places in Missouri Honorees” and Springfield’s Historic Commercial Street (C-Street) won the Greatest Street in Missouri.

Brief History

According to its website, C-Street was brought to life in 1870 by rich men who were able to build a few offices on the north side of Springfield.

The location’s access to the railroads drew businessmen and clients to the area for many years until the decline of railways.

In the 1920s, a booster club was created to try to reinstate the culture that C-Street once had. Traffic to the site ebbed and flowed until it was deemed a historic district in the 1970s, according to the Historic C-Street website.

Since that time, C-Street has been a host to a large variety of businesses, clients and events.

“Today, Commercial Street is a booming area with lofts, a variety of businesses, restaurants, and special events. It is a thriving community of artists, professionals, craftsmen, teachers and students,” stated the Historic C-Street website.

Below are just a handful of businesses that occupy the streets that won this award.

Drury on C-Street

Drury has its own connection to C-Street. Drury on C-Street is a gallery that is part of the arts administration curriculum.

“This center includes an art gallery, a business resource center, space for weaving looms, architecture classroom and a multi-use area for additional classes and seminars.

“The Drury on C-Street Gallery is a professional, student-run gallery featuring emerging and established artists,” stated their Facebook page (Drury on C-Street).

Drury alumna Hannah Bunch currently works as a graduate assistant for the Community Outreach and Leadership Development office. Some of her work has been featured in the gallery.

“The C-Street Gallery gave me a tremendous amount of experience during my time at Drury and after graduating,” Bunch said.

She said that this hands on opportunity really helped her.

“My undergraduate degree was in Fine Arts and Arts Administration and I was able to gain the skills to run a gallery and put on a show,” Bunch said.

Bunch said that these experiences are essential to a new arts professional. She is very glad that the gallery space exists for these purposes.

If a student wants to feature their work in the C-Street gallery Bunch said to follow the center on social media and look out for their “call to artists.”

“The ‘call to artists’ states what kind of work they are looking for and how to submit to a show,” Bunch said.

The Drury on C-Street gallery is located at 233 E Commercial Street.

Pizza House

Located at 312 E Commercial Street, Pizza House has been delivering thin-crust pizzas with a cozy feel since 1958, according to their website.

Sophomore Tim Anzalone can attest to that.

“The interior made everything feel so at home and the pizza was bomb,” Anzalone said.

Sophomore Victoria Brainerd agreed. She went there over move-in weekend in August and she said it was reasonably priced and was tasty.

Follow Pizza House on Facebook. Pizza House is open Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Big Momma’s

A coffee shop that is located on C-Street is Big Momma’s.

“Big Momma’s is great for many reasons: great food, great coffee, great atmosphere. There’s just the right level of energy there to be lively but also let me focus on homework,” sophomore Cale Ambuehl said.

They offer a menu that includes sandwiches, soups, salads and breakfast items.

Big Momma’s connects with those in the community and does a variety of partnerships to support local causes.

Some Drury students have been on the stage in the back room of Big Momma’s. Drury’s Mu Theta, a music therapy organization on campus, does monthly open mic nights at Big Mommas.

“I love the North-Side Turtle because it tastes great. I also love being a part of Mu Theta’s events,” sophomore Mariah Skelly said.

Big Momma’s is located on 217 E Commercial Street.

You can get more information about Big Mommas on their website www.bigmommascoffee.com. They are open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Lindberg’s

Located on 318 W Commercial St, the history of Lindberg’s dates back to 1865.

A feature that draws people to Lindberg’s is live music and entertainment.

“Lindberg’s today embraces the rich history of this building, and carries on the tradition of excellence in food, beverage, and music,” stated their website.

For students who are over 21, Lindberg’s has several brews on tap to partake in while enjoying the music.

Lindbergs is open on Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. -1 a.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m.-12 a.m. For more information on their history and menu check out Lindberg’s website.

Eurasia Coffee and Tea

Drink coffee with meaning.  Eurasia Coffee and Tea donates 10% of each order to a variety of social justice endeavors for places in Eurasia, according to their website.

“Eurasia Coffee & Tea was founded in 2010 to bring awareness and give back to the many social justice causes/non-profit organizations we work with in Eurasia,” stated their website.

The company picks a new social justice topic to specifically donate to every month.

“These projects fall under the following categories: freedom from human trafficking, life for those suffering through disease, future through education, and victory over extreme poverty,” stated their website.

Not only the cause, but the culture of the coffeehouse makes it desirable to customers.

“Eurasia is the perfect place for coffee, friends and even homework. The atmosphere is crazy comfortable and the natural lighting makes it feel like home. Plus, their coffee is top notch, ten out of ten,” sophomore Lyndsey Standage said.

Eurasia is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. To get more information about Eurasia follow them on Facebook and their website: www.eurasiacoffeeandtea.com.

All photos courtesy of Danielle Wheelan