Food, entertainment, music, art and much more awaits residents and visitors alike throughout the year along the Broad Street corridor in downtown Griffith.
The revitalization of the town’s major thoroughfare provides “entertainment for all ages and choices of food from fine dining to unique sandwiches,” says Griffith Town Council Vice President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd.
Bridges’ Scoreboard Restaurant & Sports Bar at 121 N. Griffith Blvd., for example, offers headline bands, brings in professional athletes for special events and boasts 28 big screen TVs in addition to serving up such patron favorites as wings, signature burgers, pizza, dinners, desserts and plenty of beverages.
For fine dining, visit Niko’s Steak & Seafood at 216 S. Broad St.. Select from an extensive menu of the finest steaks, ribs and chops, veal, poultry, seafood, surf & turf, great sandwiches and special desserts daily.
Enter the Grindhouse Café at 146 N. Broad St. and be enveloped by the inviting aroma of brewing coffee. Choose from a selection of teas, sodas, hot chocolate, cappuccino, lattes and smoothies. The menu also includes unique sandwiches and salads.
Mark your calendars for Griffith’s fabulous festival and special events, many at Central Park, including the Wednesday evening live music series in the summer and the Boys Scouts’ Craft Fair in September.
“The 39th annual Park Full of Art will be held July 20 and 21 at Central Park. This was been an enjoyable staple for the community for years and provides lots of opportunities for people to shop or browse,” Ryfa says.
And on Labor Day weekend, Griffith’s Rock ‘N Rail Festival kicks off its 5th year along Broad Street.
“Each year this festival gets bigger and better,” Ryfa says. “We’ll have an unprecedented number of vendors, food, music and so much more.”
The first event for the Rock ‘N Rail Festival is a 5K race sponsored by the Griffith Branch YMCA that travels through downtown, Central Park and the bike trail.
During its inaugural year in 2012, this Saturday race attracted 280 runners and proceeds benefited the YMCA financial assistance program, says Carl Zurbriggen, executive director.
That same year, the Griffith Branch YMCA opened at the Franklin Center, 201 N. Broad St., and has really been embraced by the community, Zurbriggen says.
“During 2012, we served just over 2,000 people,” he says. “About 40 programs have been started here at the YMCA and right now we’re utilizing 17,000 square feet in this former elementary school building.”
Fitness programs – such as Zumba, yoga and kick-boxing – are among those offered There’s also a Wellness Center to help patrons learn how to get and stay healthier.
But the YMCA offers much more, Zurbriggen says. “We look at the needs of the community and provide programs to address those needs.”
For example, there’s a preschool and, in the near future, a full-day licensed child care center will open. Pottery classes and a home school gym and art classes are also available.
Other non-profit organizations share space in the Franklin Center and Zurbriggen says they all work well together.
“We are able to cross market with each other,” he says. “This is a wonderful way to save and repurpose a building that’s right in the heart of the community.”
New homes are also just minutes from downtown Griffith at Trail Creek, a unique neighborhood of quaint cottage homes and paired homes.
“It’s near to everything feels off the beaten path,” says Dawn Veness, a Realtor with McColly Real Estate, who represents this community nestled on South Colfax in St. John Township on the Erie Lakawanna Bike Trail.
Built by Komark, Ltd., the cottge homes in Trail Creek provide lots of options including two to five bedrooms in ranch and 1-1/2 story styles, starting at $159,900.
“We meet or exceed all Energy Star requirements,” Veness says. “These homes are 15% more energy efficient than standard homes.”
For more information, visit www.trailcreekhomes.com/ or call (219) 746-3864.
FOR MORE INFO:
Town of Griffith
Town Hall
111 N. Broad St.
Griffith, IN
(219) 924-7500
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