Downtown Springfield’s Shop Hop – an art experience

I enjoy downtown Springfield’s shopping experience and one of their new options in the Second Saturday Downtown Springfield Shop Hop. This experience is offered May through October of 2016.

My sister Debbie Salisbury, who works at the Springfield Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum and told me about this went along as well as my mom Lori Disque. Prior to the hop, we decided to eat downtown and had lunch at Cafe Brio, it was quite wonderful.

I will admit that finding an open restaurant on the weekend downtown can be a challenge and Café Brio offered a nice selection and a great wait person that took good care of us. We split a roast beef sandwich and quesadillas yum!

Loving jewelry, and art created by locals was part of our reason for going plus a hope to learn about some of the new and different aspects offered downtown.  We started the hop at Studio on 6th where both mom and I made purchases at the end of day.  As you know, you need to see it all before you commit to buying.  It will be no surprise to anyone that knows me that my purchase was jewelry!

Studio on 6th was filled with jewelry, they also had pottery and other types of art made by a variety of artists from around the area.  What I love about this store and others we saw was that they give artists a place to show their wares. We also stopped at Inspire where art was on display and classes were also given.

The Cardologist had a wide variety of a card for any event (and more) that a person is looking for.  We also stopped in Chartruse, the Roost and Murphy’s Loft.  The Merchant House recently renamed from Widow on Windsor was one of my favorites with all of their European antiques and items that make you want to start from scratch in your home.

It was enjoyable to walk and talk with other shop hoppers.  One pair, a young woman and I presumed her father were especially fun to watch.  We also stopped in the very eclectic Recycled Records.  I had dashed into the Abraham Lincoln hotel for a moment and missed some of the fun stuff here.  I have never made it downstairs were the owner said they have furniture. The shop has been in the same family I think he said since the 1920’s and began as a furniture shop. This was also my very first stop to Jade’s Far East Emporium and I want to go back to take more time to peruse, you guessed it, their jewelry!

Abe’s Old Hat Country Store and the Wild Rose were fun and we finished up at the Old Capitol Goods where I spied the very neat musician statue above. The gentleman at the store said this is only one of several in a band that he had purchased.  It is these whimsical offbeat things that made the day fun for me.

On our way to our parking spot (which had been hard to come by with graduation from UIS that day!) we paused at Dell’s Popcorn Shop long enough to pick up some for my brother-in-law before heading home.  We made reservations for the day while not required they are appreciated. To do so, call 217-522-8006 or 217-494-4134.  Keep this shop hop in mind for gift ideas and home décor ideas if looking for something different with the added benefit of buying locally and supporting local artisans and shopkeepers.