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photo by Jim Heemstra
Part of the 150 Years of Grinnell in Grinnell celebration.
150 Years of Grinnell in Grinnell celebrate its Grand Finale this weekend!
Grand Finale: Sat Nov 7, 6:30 p.m. Off-Campus at Voertman Theater
Please join us for a casual celebration with music by the Too Many Strings Band, dessert by Yummi’s and Cafe Phoenix, and prizes!
The Voertman Theater is in the Grinnell Community Center (across from the new Drake Library).
Between the Marketplace Dining Hall, The Spencer Grill, Bob’s Underground, and Lyle’s Campus Pub, Grinnell students have quite a few top-notch campus options for a meal, a quick snack, or a drink. But students who venture out into the city of Grinnell find an interesting collection of food establishments where, in addition to quenching their hunger and thirst, they can also interact with the wider community and support local businesses.
Popular destinations for students include Lonnski’s Pub and Deli, Casa Margaritas, Jimbo’s, and Bourbon Street Grill, including the basement Voodoo Lounge, which offers live music and karaoke nights. Many students also like to head to the Dari Barn during the warmer months for ice cream, make late-night bakery runs to the Danish Maid Bakery, and shop at locally owned McNally’s grocery store.
Some establishments provide spots for college students to hang out for longer periods of time. Saint’s Rest coffeehouse, owned by Jeff Phelps ’71, is very popular among students looking for a place to do homework or just relax with friends over a hot drink and fresh pastry.
Many students also find work at these town businesses. Drake Ballew ’09, a bartender at Lonnski’s, says that about 90 percent of the staff there is made up of college students. “The atmosphere here is amazing,” says Ballew. “I haven’t seen another place where everyone is so glad to go to work.”
It’s easy for students to get caught up in the campus culture and not get into town often, if at all. “As a student, you can exist in your own bubble on campus. You don’t really have to leave those two blocks,” Ballew explains. Many students and recent alumni, however, cite interactions with community members at local establishments as an important part of their experience at Grinnell. “Our relationship with the regulars here is awesome,” Ballew continues. “Many of them went to Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, or didn’t attend college, and they all bring their different perspectives,”
“It’s really nice,” says Julia Fine ’10, who frequents Lonnski’s and the Voodoo Lounge. “You’ll definitely see the occasional person that you know from the College, but the atmosphere is totally different than a college party. It’s refreshing.”
Ria Laureijs ’10 agrees that mixing with the community is an important part of the student experience.
“It’s definitely a positive thing, because we’re usually just around other college students. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun.”
— Andrew Walsh ’09
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