Moon City- what a lovely name! And an interesting place. North Springfield, a small town incorporated into Springfield in 1871, went by this enchanting moniker. In ye slightly less olden times (10 years ago) when I lived here, this area was pretty worn down. A few crowded antique stores, and a marvelous restaurant that trained former convicts as chefs were its main attractions.
In the present time the area retains its Aladdin's cave thrift stores. Crowding in a merchandise sense is the glory of a good secondhand store and the bane of a bad one. Decades was particularly wonderful, with racks and racks of colorful clothes in many sizes and eras, and a charming and ebullient shop girl.
There were even some shoes who's flowery toes match exactly a purse I got on the same road when I lived here! It makes me wonder if they belonged to the same person in a much matchier era.
Unfortunately arrived close to sundown and many shops had closed, but Hakaar's Bazaar, with 60's pottery, shrunken heads and giant metal insects remained. As did a new tattoo shop with an art gallery full of paintings that looked like the inside of a marble, beautiful!
Everyone was very friendly and chatty, something I noticed about the state as a whole. It takes a bit of getting used to at first! Washingtonians are not less friendly so much as reserved, courtesy amounts to not inconveniencing others more than making connections.
I loved all the art incorporated into everyday things we found! The timing was perfect if not for shopping than for enjoying the golden light and warm air of the evening.
My brother Ryan swore that the coffee options had improved vastly and he was right! Trust a college student to know these things. Big Momma's had comfortable seating, great lighting, a concert area in the back and most importantly coffee that came in more than black and not black. I had a delicious concoction named "Blair's Brew" with chai, caramel, white chocolate and a banana blended.
There were many places I wished we had time to see! I would love to sit in this cafe with the breeze blowing and let conversations wind their slow way.
I had the good fortune to be there on the night prom was being held, and have a few lovely girls not mind my paparazzi-ing. The ones without poses, as is often the case, came out best.
The Jefferson avenue footbridge, largest in America, crossed over these train tracks. It would have been easy to spend hours here exploring!
Someday I hope to have more time to do so, but in the meantime if you ever get a chance, Moon City/North Springfield is well worth checking out.
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