Downtown Renaissance
Downtown is thriving with great eats and people to meet, but where?
By Stephanie Brummell, contributing writer
Posted on November 13, 2006

Downtown Harrisonburg is only a delightful stroll down the street from JMU. Vibrant gold and navy banners stand tall on light poles, inviting guests for an afternoon of shopping and dining, or history and art.

Taking a right onto Water Street, the banners may seem to be deceptive. What stands out instead of the vibrant light poles is the pavement crumbled beneath the hot rubber tires of a bulldozer roaring through an underground parking lot, with desolate-looking brick buildings standing quietly to the side.

However, do not be fooled by this outward appearance. Water Street, in all of its reconstructive spirit, is a gold mine of treasures. It is here where the mom-and-pop and not-so-typical café, bar and bookstore are beginning to fade into the background.

Although a part of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance campaign, construction on the Water Street parking deck is set to continue through mid-November, stacking up challenges for many of these businesses. Even with JMU so close, students seem to harbor on the opposite side of Harrisonburg, away from downtown and in the world of corporate junkies. Perhaps with a closer look into historic downtown, perceptions will change and Harrisonburg can regain some of its energy.

Homemade Goodness

Who doesn’t like a warm homemade muffin, cookie or even cappuccino with real espresso beans ground right in front of them? Shanks Bakery, located at 49 West Water St., offers just that, with an assortment of pies, cakes, cupcakes and cups of hot soup served in the winter.

“It’s the whole idea of doing everything from scratch — not buying pre-mixed products — putting it together right here without preservatives,” owner Randy Shank said with a friendly smile and proud twinkle in his eye. “Flavorings can make such a difference.”

Customers can watch behind-the-scenes preparations and make a special recipe request at the open counter on the right side of this cozy venue. Wooden tables align the windowed walls, with a cove in the back that is good for studying or holding a meeting. Shanks Bakery makes a point to keep prices at a rate reasonable for the everyday person and to change its menu constantly.

Bountiful Books for Your Buck

Miles away from your typical frappuccino-esque, corporate bookstore, Downtown Books is next to Shanks Bakery. Colorful witty buttons flood the front window, enticing passerbys to stop in and take a look at the collection of both used and new books, 75-cent postcards, movies and collectable comics.

“I usually have a table of free stuff out in front, stuff I don’t want to throw out, but I haven’t been able to do it because of the fencing [from construction],” owner Bob Schurtz said.

Inside, the price jumps only slightly with a section of 10-cent books for sale, something Schurtz believed in keeping ever since the store’s opening in 1976 in Court Square. Modest and quaint, Downtown Books allows time for browsing without being disturbed, a break from the hustle of the busy day.

Seafood and Friendly Faces

With its royal-blue bar top, red leatherback bar seats, and photo-tribute to Jimmy Buffet, Finnigan’s Cove: Seafood Bar and Grill at 30 W. Water St., seems to act as a time machine for customers, creating the atmosphere of a laid-back beach restaurant.

“It’s the only place you can get raw oysters and crab legs,” bartender Elizabeth Caffrey said. “Our late-night menu, unlike most places, stays much pretty open until last call, with things like wings and crab dip, instead of just your regular chips and salsa.”

In addition to the seafood, Finnigan’s bar also offers a colorful array of drinks and live entertainment at least one weekend night a week.

Fresh off the Farm

Home to many local farmers and gardeners, the downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market has been the place to buy fresh produce and homemade goods for more than 50 years.

The market, usually located in the Water Street parking deck, has been forced to move to the municipal lot due to construction. Not only is it a haven for those who crave the sweet taste of an organic apple or the tenderness of farm-fresh meat and poultry, it’s a place where entrepreneurs can thrive.

“The folks who own Shanks Bakery actually started out at the Farmers’ Market,” said Carole Nash, JMU geographic science professor, a Harrisonburg resident for about 16 years.

Cooking first out of their home, the business prospered, leading to a purchase of the quaint building they work out of today. Check out the market for both its produce and unique people. It’s open Tuesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.