Related:
Phoenix antiques
Willo and Encanto may date back to the 1920s and ’30s, but
there’s nothing fuddy-duddy about their funky shops, bustling
restaurants, and high-energy nightspots. A late-afternoon visit
to these still-picturesque, side-by-side neighborhoods can easily
stretch into night. Cool off in air-conditioned boutiques, get
lost on palm-shaded paths around a lagoon in Phoenix’s oldest
and biggest park, and duck into a wine bar for a light dinner.
End the evening with music and a nightcap.
SHOP Bert Easley’s Fun Shop. WHAT: 6,000 costumes for
rent in a labyrinthine store opened in 1947. For the Fourth,
pick up an Uncle Sam top hat with stars that light up.
WHERE: 509 W. McDowell Rd.; 602/271-9146.
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| Kerrick James |
| Willo neighborhood |
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Southwest Gardener. WHAT: A jam-packed homage to gardening,
with hand-painted garden art, tools, and classes. The owners
are Master Gardeners who love talking shop. WHERE: 2809
N. 15th Ave.; 602/279-9510.
PLAY: Encanto Park. WHAT: After the shops close, hit
Phoenix’s own Central Park, with 222 grassy acres and a
lagoon where you can take a paddleboat out among the ducks.
Evenings mean old-fashioned fun, from a swim in the pool for
a nostalgic 25 cents (after 6 Mon–Fri) to poetry readings, folk
dancing, and jam sessions. WHEN: Paddleboats 4 p.m.–dusk
Sat–Sun, July only; pool noon–8 p.m. daily. WHERE: 2605 N.
15th Ave.; 602/261-8993.
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| Kerrick James |
| Encanto Park |
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EAT: My Florist Café. WHAT: Half-price bottles of wine (can
it really be Christmas in July?) are the daily deal at the 1950s
florist shop–turned–restaurant and piano bar. There’s a cool
vibe, big salads, and sandwiches made with yummy bread
from Willo Baking Company next door. WHEN: Breakfast,
lunch, and dinner daily. HOW MUCH: $. WHERE: 530 W. McDowell
Rd.; 602/254-0333.
HEAR: Emerald Lounge. WHAT: A little gem of a dive bar
and the place to catch up-and-coming rock bands. Also in the
mix are cheap drinks and people-watching—lots of artist and
writer types sporting tattoos. WHEN: Noon–2 a.m. daily.
WHERE: 1514 N. Seventh Ave.; 602/256-9705. —Melissa Castleman
Willo and Encanto
lie between Thomas
Rd. to the north and Mc-
Dowell Rd. to the south,
and Central Ave. to the
east and 15th Ave. to
the west.
