Elkhart County Ramblin's

Like so many kids growing up I could not wait to get away from Goshen, a small town in the midst of walls of corn that seemed to go on forever.  My wish came true and I did grow up and move away. Only with the distance of time and miles did I come to appreciate all that I left behind. I returned some 25 years later with eyes that could and still do appreciate all that this little town still has to offer.   

The nostalgic part of me wishes the downtown area still hosted some long gone favorites like Kline's Department store, where the clerks called good morning to you by name and where a walk into Murphy's Dimestore tickled your hearing as your footsteps made the old oak floors creak so loudly you wondered if they could support the weight of the dusty shelves loaded with dishes and penny candy cases.

The Maple City is older and like me, has changed over the years, but thankfully some things havent changed and some of the things that are new are an improvement. A current look reveals a rich bounty of places to go, good food to be had, bargains to find and yes, still many friendly folks to wait on you as you make your way through town.

Some of my favorite spots to shop, eat and just hang out include:

John Hall's True Value Hardware
205-207 South Main Street
(574)533-3293  
No, the clerks there do not know my name, but they are just as friendly and ever ready to help you find just what you need.

Baintertown Race, located just south of town off of State Road 15.
For a quiet walk, a bike ride, a picnic or just a few moments of  natures beauty. Its free and Mother Nature provides an ever changing cornucopia of color and things to see. This photo, taken by a friend of mine was taken in spring, when the Red Bud trees were in full bloom.


County Seat Cafe
124 West Jefferson Street
(574)534-1348   This is a long time favorite of the Goshen natives and others who know the corner to seek out when they are looking for a good cooked meal. Breakfast is my favorite time at this busy Goshen eatery.


The Depot
1013 Division Street
(574)534-4070   Seeking the unusual, the inexpensive find? Find the Depot on Division Street, where items are displayed in a brightly lit room. From canning jars for a quarter to flat screen computer screens for $15, you are sure to find a bargain here!

The Old Bag Factory
1100 Chicago Ave
(574) 534-2502    http://www.oldbagfactory.com/  If its art you seek, do not miss The Old Bag Factory. This is one part of town that changed for the better during my absence. When I left town it was just what its name says, "the old bag factory" where they used to make bags before all that manufacturing was moved elsewhere. Now its a charming grouping of artists who turn out lovely pieces of pottery, quilts to stun you with their beauty, and many other hand crafted items.

The Olympia Candy Kitchen
136 N. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574) 533-5040   http://www.olympiacandykitchen.com/history.html   
A Goshen institution, the Olympia has been making hand rolled chocolates for over 100 yrs in the same location. A visit here will yield a hard wooden booth (original) and the same lights that were installed in the early part of the 20th century. Never had a Green River before or a Vanilla Phosphate? Its something everyone should try just once and see if you can walk out the door without stopping to buy at least one, or maybe two pieces of chocolates for the road home!

The Chief Ice Cream Stand
1131 Abby Court
(574)533-6448   
The Chief has been the summertime hangout for many generations of Goshen folks looking for a little after dinner socializing while waiting inline for a hot fudge sundae or just a dipped cone.


The Courthouse Grounds Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County and the courthouse and surrounding grounds take up one city block square in the downtown area. The grounds are filled with beautiful maple trees, benches and the famous Neptune Fountain that used to scare me as a little girl. A nice spot to catch your breath and watch the hustle of town go by.

Maple City Market
314 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 534-2355     www.maplecitymarket.com
The Maple City Market is a relative newcomer to the downtown area, occupying the old IGA grocery store building. They have organic produce, bulk foods, bulk spices, health foods, vitamins, freshly made breads and deli items for take out. If you time it right, you can walk out with a freshly made loaf of bread that is still warm from the oven. Hurry...its often sold out quickly!
 
The Refinery Cafe and Coffee Roasters
1907 Elkhart Road
(574)535-0101  
Are you a coffee gourmet? Have you always wanted to try to roast your own beans but never really gotten around to it? No need to, just swing into the Refinery, where they roast them for you.

I hope I have intrigued you to seek out the unusual and the usual that continue to make Goshen a great small town to live in.