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The Downtown Lowdown |
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| Day or night, there's great deals downtown Day or night, there's great deals downtown Yes, it's true. You can't open up your newspaper, turn on the television or log on to the internet without being reminded that we are undoubtedly in a recession. However, recession doesn't have to spell doom and gloom, in fact there is always a silver lining and while it may seem that surrounding shopping centers and big time national chains are closing their doors, downtown West Palm Beach is continuing to inspire excitement by opening new businesses each month and drawing even more people to take notice in the treasures that may be found in their own backyards. As a downtown resident myself, I have always taken pleasure in strolling some of the local niche shops that I can't find anywhere else. Galleries such as Afrocenter, which imports rare and exotic art and jewelry from Kenya and This N' That Gallery, which offers unique pieces of art and furniture, are just some of the shops that I can browse to pick up a thoughtful yet affordable gift for a friend or something special for my home. Also, Gracie Street Design and Boutique recently helped me to design my home on a dime, allowing me to upgrade my look without emptying my wallet. Not only does shopping downtown offer me a wide variety of unique options not offered elsewhere, but knowing that I'm patronizing my local businesses allows me to feel as though I'm participating in my community and supporting my friends, neighbors, co-workers and relatives. The sense of community isn't just one sided either. Many downtown restaurants are offering spectacular happy hours to help lighten spirits provide a memorable experience you can't find anywhere else. For example, E.R. Bradley's at 104 Clematis St. continually hosts a well-known and highly anticipated happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with a complimentary buffet and specialty drinks. Just recently, E.R. Bradley's decided to expand on its happy hour and host a Karaoke/American Idol Night on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Who doesn't love to unwind from a hard day of work with Karaoke? Roxy's upstairs bar at 309 Clematis St., the 10@2 Saloon, also hosts a Karaoke contest every Monday night at 9 p.m. In addition, the 10@2 Saloon offers a dueling piano show at 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For the more laid back crowd looking to unwind in the middle of the week, venture over to Pistache, the French Bistro located at 101 N. Clematis Street. The restaurant with spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Centennial Square offers Wine Down Wednesdays on Wednesday evenings with half off bottles of wine. In addition, on Friday evenings all ladies are invited to take part in 2 for 1 cocktails from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May I suggest the Pear Martini, one sip of that and you'll never go back to the Cosmo again! Adding to the Happy Hour mix in Downtown is Clematis Social at 223 Clematis St. with half-off drink specials from noon to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday as well as an extremely enticing Wednesday night special ‘Perfect Martinis in the City.' Beginning at 6 p.m. guests are invited to enjoy $5 specialty martinis and complimentary by-the-bite treats! Clematis Social even offers ‘Lunch for Locals' every day of the week. For just $9 locals may enjoy a lunch that includes a soft drink and gratuity! Choices include half chicken quesadilla, half chicken salad wrap, half tuna salad wrap, half tuna pita melt, wok stir-fry with chicken and mixed green salad with grilled chicken breast. Lunch is served every Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
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