On this topic, I’ve noticed Seeet Caroline’s food and menu is much improved since it first opened. Watched the Iowa game there and everything was pretty good.
Downtown Ames
- Thread starter ForbinsAscynt
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There are no restaurants in downtown Ames that are worth my effort to get there.
Its a bit dive-y for a sports bar but I’ve never been to the ankeny one so I can’t say too much. It could use a facelift.
I think downtown Ames is pretty nice given how downtowns tend to struggle. They have a good variety of stores, bakeries, bars, and restaurants. They also seem to host a lot of events on Main Street.
I think those two need some historical perspective and need to wake the heck up.
Now don't let any of those upscale developers get a hold of this because it is a ISU/Ames treasure.
Ames staple 30+ years. Kick the **** ass deli sandwiches crewed by a friendly staff. Claude the owner is a legend.
Yeah I thought that was a little unfair. It is certainly more well rounded than campustown and just as good or better than your average Iowa downtown. Some great food too. Has Williams not been down there in like 10 years or something?
Bit the real question is, did you get your food in under an hour? The ridiculously slow service is the reason we haven’t been returning.
I think downtown Ames has everything it needs except could use 1-2 more bar options. Too many dives. Food wise, great options. Great Plains, Cornbred, Sweet Caroline’s is much better than it was even 3 months ago, Downtown Deli.
Only suggestion would be a facelift on the majority of it. I think the reason most people think it’s trash has more to do with it looks like a dump rather than it actually is dump
Only suggestion would be a facelift on the majority of it. I think the reason most people think it’s trash has more to do with it looks like a dump rather than it actually is dump
Ames Main Street has been working for years to revitalize the downtown district. According to their website, their district is Main Street, Douglas, Kellogg, Burnett, Clark, and 5th Street. From Bandshell Park to the east, and Wheatsfield Cooperative to the west. That might be why Lincolnway looks terrible. https://amesdowntown.org/about-us/
Main Street is a national nonprofit organization, established as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation "as a way to address the myriad issues facing older and historic downtowns during that time. Working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities, Main Street has helped over 2,000 communities across the country bring economic vitality back downtown, while celebrating their historic character, and bringing communities together." https://www.mainstreet.org/people/national-main-street-center
Iowa has been very progressive for years with partnering with and assisting Main Street communities/programs. Grants are available for businesses and/or buildings in those districts. Workshops, in-person visits from knowledgeable individuals to help give ideas to business owners, programs for business start ups, etc. (Just a few examples)
Can the Main Street district survive and coexist with CyTown? Yes. You'll have people that will visit both. People will go to the Main Street district, hear about CyTown and want to check it out and vice versa. Of course, you'll have people that will visit CyTown and not step foot anywhere else. Just like you'll have someone from another community drive to and eat at Hickory Park, then leave.
But overall...the more you have in your community to do and see, the more likely you are to bring someone in for more than just a stop at a restaurant. They'll stay, spend the night and spend a couple of days.
I thought Ames had a some kind of facelift program where they would provide funding to businesses to revamp/update/clean up their store fronts. At least they did back around 2010. I wonder if that program ended and never got extended?
Not sure what Ames Main Street is doing by themselves, but it's still there on a state level: https://www.iowaeda.com/main-street-iowa/
It's a great program, but the owner still has to put in. It's amazing, though, how many people don't want to fill out the paperwork, follow the guidelines, don't have the matching funds or don't do it because they don't get all the $$ up front & have to show they paid for things.
