Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Getting out in Dallas: South Side Station (Part 1 of 3)

By Shawn Williams of Dallas South

Shawn Williams

The Beat Condominiums

I have to say that I’ve been inspired by John Spriggins who has challenged the Dallas South Family to “Get Into the City” in a post a couple of weeks ago. For the rest of the week I’m going to share a few places that I’ve hit over the last few weeks.

Today, I’m going to talk about a day I spent at South Side Station. Tomorrow, I’ll discuss a trip I made with my son and some friends to the Trinity River Audubon Center. And on Friday, I’ll show you some pictures I snapped of the construction taking place in the Arts District.

I’ve been watching construction of The Beat Condominiums last year just down the street from the lofts at the South Side on Lamar. While walking through the area recently (which I find myself visiting almost once a week these days), I just noticed the branding of the area as “South Side Station.”

Shawn Williams

Inside South Side Station.

I don’t think it’s new, but for some reason I’m just now catching it. It makes lots of sense with the number of venues within walking distance of the DART Cedars Station. The light rail lets out almost at The Beat’s doorstep. And when I tell people where I’m heading sometimes and say “The South Side” it’s just not specific enough. So South Side Station it is.

I asked for an inside look at the The Beat and was very impressed with what I saw. Of course I’m not in the condo market but anyone looking to go that route may want to consider the property.

Shawn Williams

Texas Caribbean Foods

After I left The Beat, I headed over to Ms. Jan Gore’s Texas Caribbean Foods (Dallas South Community Supporter). You never know who you’ll see in Texas Caribbean Foods. It’s become a favorite spot for politicians, artists, educators and even actors who are in town. Hill Harper stopped through to purchase a few pieces of art that were hanging in the store last year.

Everything that I’ve tried on the menu is good, but I’m partial to the jerk chicken. I actually stepped outside my routine on yesterday and ordered the Jamaican patty. Excellent as expected.

I left Ms. Jan’s and headed to Opening Bell Coffee to do a little writing over a smoothie. I’ve always enjoyed hanging out at coffee shops (though I don’t like coffee) which usually means a trip to Starbucks.

Shawn Williams

Opening Bell Coffee

But I find myself meeting up with folks more and more at Opening Bell. Especially if I’m meeting someone coming from the north while I’m heading up from the south. And doesn’t it look a whole lot cooler than Starbucks?

And though I didn’t visit on this particular day, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Dallas South’s #1 Place to Go in Dallas two year running, Brooklyn Jazz Cafe. Brooklyn is right down the street and THE PLACE to take your friends in from out of town looking for something to do.

South Side Station’s newest tenant is the Dallas County Community College District. The state's largest undergraduate institution relocated their administrative offices from downtown Dallas to 1601 S. Lamar.

There’s a lot to see and do at South Side Station (I didn’t even get into Gilley’s or the Palladium). Why not get out and check it out?

Pegasus News content partner - Dallas South
Shawn Williams publishes Dallas South Blog; his e-mail address is shawn@dallassouthblog.com.

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Comments

alexander troup Verified

This is a difficult area to maintain and bring back to life,but...things will come about if the folks who plant their lives there,hang in and make it into a Community..urban living can be fun,but you have to go along with the low's and high's of its placement.Good luck folks,I was there also..A/T, Urban Community observer

8 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )