Downtown Lodi

History abounds in Lodi’s new downtown area

By Joanna Corman
News-Sentinel staff writer

A Hollywood-themed restaurant with distinctive Western overtones.

A museum dedicated to the humble yo-yo.

Clothes stores and restaurants galore.

These are among the many things a visitor will find in a roughly six block area, otherwise known as downtown Lodi.

Once a decaying district, downtown is now a hub of commerce and culture, and a fun place to visit if you happen to be in town.

It’s an historic place — lined with old brick buildings built around the turn of the century.

It’s also a new place, with yellow sidewalks and cobbled streets that are the result of a $4 million city investment.

Perhaps the most striking contrast between new and old is the city's arches.

The Pine Street arch, at Sacramento Street, is believed to be one of the oldest standing arches in the state. It was built in 1907 to celebrate the city’s first Grape Festival — an annual fete marking the grape harvest, still celebrated in the fall.

Another arch — called the gateway, to help distinguish the two — was finished in 1998 to mark the rebirth of downtown.

Look closely: The newer brick arch is adorned with grapes, the area’s major agricultural crop.

More history lies at the train station on Sacramento Street.

The station gave birth to Lodi, in 1869, when Pacific Coast Rail Road chose a patch of scrub for a depot stop between the cities of Galt and Stockton.

In the 1970s, passenger service ended and the train station was shut down. But what is old is new.

In 1999, the historic depot was lifted and moved a block south and later remodeled.

City and county bus services now operate in and out of the station, as does Greyhound.

City and state officials are moving to get Amtrak train service at the station.

Amtrak buses began rolling out of the station May 21, 2000, with trains to follow by October.

There are more commercial attractions downtown than you can count on your hands and feet.

Downtown is home to more than 225 businesses.

They range from Jake and Clay’s barber shop, where locals congregate for a shear and gossip, to Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center, one of a few health food stores in this neck of the Valley.

One of the more unusual additions to downtown in recent years is the International Yo-Yo Museum, 14 S. School St.

It hasn’t opened for regular hours yet. But owner Steve Speegle, a yo-yo and toy enthusiast, may let you take a peek inside if your call him at 366-1969. Or try Jeri Hansen of the Conference and Visitors Bureau, (800) 798-1810 or 365-1195. Group tours cost $45 to $50.

Speegle guesses he has 15,000 yo-yos. Some will be for sale, others for display only.

Some of his most unique gyroscopic toys include tin Pez yo-yos, a 100-year-old ivory yo-yo and a Transformer yo-yo that turns into a motorcycle.

Yo-yos aside, downtown is also home to a number of eateries.

They include the up scale Hazel’s, authentic Mexican restaurants like Taqueria Jalisco Cafe and Mazatlan Cafe, the homey Cottage Bakery, and Legends — a hybrid of Western and Hollywood themes (Check out the movie star costumes).

Ron Anderson, who opened Legends, has another silver screen endeavor he is bringing to town.

Studio 2000, a memorabilia store and cafe dedicated to Tinsel Town, is set to open in May 2000 on Elm Street.

Also coming soon to downtown: A 12-screen cinema to be built by the winter holiday season at Elm and School streets.

Designed to have stadium-style seating, and state-of-the-art sound, its builders say it will be the envy of the region.

Downtown was not always the bustling place it is today. The yellow sidewalks, glowing night-time lights and landscaping are part of a $4 million city/merchant project embarked on in the early 1990s.

Since November 1997, the year city planners finished the sidewalks, planted trees and changed School Street’s traditional pavement to cobblestone, about 40 businesses have opened, according to city figures.

“It looked like a dead downtown” before the project, said Denise Ellsworth, owner of Kidco, a children and women's clothing store that sells new and consigned goods on School Street.

Customers love the new downtown, said Dev Thornton, owner of Nana’s Attic, one of several antique shops downtown.

“They think it’s charming,” she said. “We're getting a lot of out-of-town traffic on the weekends.”

The massive transition, city officials say, is not yet over.

During the next major step, Elm Street is planned to become an esplanade and more retail space will crown a parking garage that will be built in summer 2000 on Sacramento Street.

Deputy City Manager Janet Keeter gives this glowing review of the decade's work: “The downtown shines by day and sparkles by night.”



Contents • Bicycle Tours • Business Traveler • Downtown Lodi • Downtown Lodi Dining • Downtown Lodi Shopping • Family Activities • Farmers Market • Galt Market • Golf • Hill House • Hutchins Street Square • Lodi Arch • Lodi-area Events • Lodi Facts • Lodi Street Faire • Museums • Rae House • Sacramento Street • Sandhill Crane Festival • Wineries • Wines • Younger Generation
		History abounds in Lodi’s new downtown area By Joanna Corman News-Sentinel staff writer A Hollywood-themed restaurant with distinctive Western overtones. A museum dedicated to the humble yo-yo. Clothes stores and restaurants galore. These are among the many things a visitor will find in a roughly six block area, otherwise known as downtown Lodi. Once a decaying district, downtown is now a hub of commerce and culture, and a fun place to visit if you happen to be in town. It’s an historic place — lined with old brick buildings built around the turn of the century. It’s also a new place, with yellow sidewalks and cobbled streets that are the result of a $4 million city investment. Perhaps the most striking contrast between new and old is the city's arches. The Pine Street arch, at Sacramento Street, is believed to be one of the oldest standing arches in the state. It was built in 1907 to celebrate the city’s first Grape Festival — an annual fete marking the grape harvest, still celebrated in the fall. Another arch — called the gateway, to help distinguish the two — was finished in 1998 to mark the rebirth of downtown. Look closely: The newer brick arch is adorned with grapes, the area’s major agricultural crop. More history lies at the train station on Sacramento Street. The station gave birth to Lodi, in 1869, when Pacific Coast Rail Road chose a patch of scrub for a depot stop between the cities of Galt and Stockton. In the 1970s, passenger service ended and the train station was shut down. But what is old is new. In 1999, the historic depot was lifted and moved a block south and later remodeled. City and county bus services now operate in and out of the station, as does Greyhound. City and state officials are moving to get Amtrak train service at the station. Amtrak buses began rolling out of the station May 21, 2000, with trains to follow by October. There are more commercial attractions downtown than you can count on your hands and feet. Downtown is home to more than 225 businesses. They range from Jake and Clay’s barber shop, where locals congregate for a shear and gossip, to Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center, one of a few health food stores in this neck of the Valley. One of the more unusual additions to downtown in recent years is the International Yo-Yo Museum, 14 S. School St. It hasn’t opened for regular hours yet. But owner Steve Speegle, a yo-yo and toy enthusiast, may let you take a peek inside if your call him at 366-1969. Or try Jeri Hansen of the Conference and Visitors Bureau, (800) 798-1810 or 365-1195. Group tours cost $45 to $50. Speegle guesses he has 15,000 yo-yos. Some will be for sale, others for display only. Some of his most unique gyroscopic toys include tin Pez yo-yos, a 100-year-old ivory yo-yo and a Transformer yo-yo that turns into a motorcycle. Yo-yos aside, downtown is also home to a number of eateries. They include the up scale Hazel’s, authentic Mexican restaurants like Taqueria Jalisco Cafe and Mazatlan Cafe, the homey Cottage Bakery, and Legends — a hybrid of Western and Hollywood themes (Check out the movie star costumes). Ron Anderson, who opened Legends, has another silver screen endeavor he is bringing to town. Studio 2000, a memorabilia store and cafe dedicated to Tinsel Town, is set to open in May 2000 on Elm Street. Also coming soon to downtown: A 12-screen cinema to be built by the winter holiday season at Elm and School streets. Designed to have stadium-style seating, and state-of-the-art sound, its builders say it will be the envy of the region. Downtown was not always the bustling place it is today. The yellow sidewalks, glowing night-time lights and landscaping are part of a $4 million city/merchant project embarked on in the early 1990s. Since November 1997, the year city planners finished the sidewalks, planted trees and changed School Street’s traditional pavement to cobblestone, about 40 businesses have opened, according to city figures. “It looked like a dead downtown” before the project, said Denise Ellsworth, owner of Kidco, a children and women's clothing store that sells new and consigned goods on School Street. Customers love the new downtown, said Dev Thornton, owner of Nana’s Attic, one of several antique shops downtown. “They think it’s charming,” she said. “We're getting a lot of out-of-town traffic on the weekends.” The massive transition, city officials say, is not yet over. During the next major step, Elm Street is planned to become an esplanade and more retail space will crown a parking garage that will be built in summer 2000 on Sacramento Street. Deputy City Manager Janet Keeter gives this glowing review of the decade's work: “The downtown shines by day and sparkles by night.”
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