🍀 First Fridays in the Bend!

Happy Friday! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.

In today’s digest:

• The Coffee Trail ☕️ Purely Pressed

• Meet Pepper!

• Kid’s Night Out

• Interning? Connect with other local interns!

This issue is 1,399 words, a 5-minute read.

The Digest

The Coffee Trail: Purely Pressed ☕️ 

Now, I know what you’re thinking… Purely Pressed?!?! But that’s, like, smoothies and smoothie bowls… their coffee probably isn’t good and no way they would make a great spot for remote working!

But keep an open mind, friends! Purely pressed, while known for incredible smoothies (see below), also has delicious coffee! And while I haven’t crunched the numbers, it could very well be the cheapest latte in the state (yes, the state).

And of course, a review of the best coffee shops to work remotely wouldn’t be complete without an assessment of their outlet sitch… and boy did I assess, while their South Bend location is a little smaller than some of our other spots, there’s plenty of room for you and your remote working buddies to pop a squat and stay awhile!

And since they’re open 7 am - 7 pm, you can grab coffee (or a smoothie!) anytime during the day!

Therefore, I give Purely Pressed 4 🔌 🔌 🔌 🔌 out of 5.

P.S. You may have read about Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub in some of my earlier issues. Well, I’ve been trying to convince Kris Preimer that he should reach out to Purely Pressed and have them open a third location on the south side of downtown! Try Purely Pressed and Momentum this summer, and tell me if you think downtown needs a location 😉 

Think I got it wrong, though? Check out all the places I’ve mentioned so far and make your own ratings list!

The General Deli and Cafe
Revenant at Dainty Maid
Chicory Cafe
Java Cafe

Adopt an adoption fee sponsored friend: Pepper!

Meet Pepper, whose adoption fee has been generously sponsored and is ready to go to her forever home!

Pepper is a sweet, 3-year-old beagle mix who is excited to join a quieter home. She is crate and potty trained and enjoys toys and couch time.

Apply to foster or adopt this cuddle queen today!

The Happenings

👦 First Friday: Kids Night Out!

Bring the kiddos downtown today for Kids Night Out, a themed First Friday celebration! There will be something for everyone this month!

• Disney Princess Meet and Greets on the Gridiron 👸 

• Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party at the Library 📖 

• Kids Karaoke 🎤 

• Magician at the Chocolate Cafe 🪄 

🚙 Nervous about downtown parking? Don’t be! With three garages and plenty of on-street parking (not to mention it’s all free for First Fridays!) there’s room for everyone and then some in downtown South Bend!

Details

🧘 Summer Fitness Series

Downtown South Bend Summer Fitness Series is back starting Saturday!

Pick from one of the following classes (or attend all three!)

• Yoga @ 8 am with Kimmi Troy 🧘‍♀️

• Zumba @ 9 am with Olga Hodgetts 🕺 

• Boot Camp: Jessica Garretson 🏋️‍♂️

All fitness classes are free to attend, and water is provided. However, you will need to bring your mat for yoga!

🚗 Parking is available in the Leighton parking garage (free on the weekends) and on the street side.

When you’re done with your workout, head a couple of blocks south to Revenant at Dainty Maid food for a latte and croissant or a couple of blocks west to L Street Kitchen for a full diner breakfast! ☕️ 🥐 🍳 

Details

More events

A mix of things happening this weekend and into next week!

 🎨  Make Like Monet: Get a group of friends and enjoy this opportunity to paint a version of Monet’s “Bridge Over a Pond of Waterlilies” at Ironhand Wine Bar. Register

⚾️ Cubs Face the Great Lakes Loons: The South Bend Cubs will be facing the Great Lakes Loons through Sunday before they go on the road again next week. Grab some Tickets!

☁️ DJ + Pizza Night at Cloudwalking: Celebrate First Fridays at Cloudwalking before heading downtown with some Pizza and a DJ. Details

🎸 Howard Park Summer Concert: Dreamteam Live is performing at Howard Park this week! Grab a lawn chair or blanket and head on down to the Howard Park stage for this free concert in the park! Details

☕️ Class of the Week at Make South Bend: Make a Ceramic Mug next Thursday! Or check out one of the many other classes this week at the link: Register

🍅 Portage Farm Stand Market: Check out the Portage Farm Stand Market this Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm. Details

🐦‍🔥 Pokémon Summer: Learn the tricks and plays of Pokémon trading cards! Opportunities to gain free trading cards and make some Pokémon-themed crafts! Details

🎷 Fridays at the Fountain: If you work downtown and want a little break from the screens during lunch, head to Jon. R. Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris for Fridays at the Fountain. Details

✨Coming soon✨

🎭 Shakespeare at the Dome: Reserve your tickets for Shakespeare at Notre Dame this summer. Details

🥾 Summer Solstice Hiking: Ring in the solstice with an evening hike! Registration is $5, so grab tickets while you can! Register

⚽️ Co-ed Soccer: Best Da*n Michiana Sports is launching co-ed soccer, as well as several other co-ed adult leagues. Registrations are open for the second half of the summer sessions. Make some new friends and get a workout in at the same time! Register

🚣🏼‍♀️ East Race Waterway: Ring in the summer with this unique South Bend experience! Race down the waterway starting this weekend through the end of the summer! Grab your tickets today

🍷 Summer Wine Walks: DTSB is offering wine walks starting this week, running through each month of summer until September! Register now!

🏳️‍🌈 South Bend Pride 2025: Save the date to celebrate Pride Month at Potowatomi Park on June 21st! Details

Rapid Fire Hits

Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐

Notre Dame Tech Comes Downtown: The University of Notre Dame and investment firm Ancora are partnering to launch the first phase of South Bend’s Tech and Talent District, a key part of the city’s 2045 plan. Centered on the redevelopment of the former South Bend Tribune building, the district will drive innovation, job growth, and community engagement through research, entrepreneurship, and training programs. Backed by a $30 million Lilly Endowment grant, the project aims to revitalize downtown and strengthen ties between the university and the region. Construction is expected to begin later this year. (Notre Dame News)

Public Transpo Transformation! Transpo, in partnership with MACOG and the Interurban Trolley, launched a redesigned bus network this week as part of a 10-year regional transit improvement plan called the CONNECT Transit Plan. The new “Short-Term Network” aims to improve service in South Bend, Mishawaka, and Elkhart while staying within budget. (Details)

Interning in South Bend: Interning in the Bend this summer? Check out all the fun programming from the South Bend Chamber and connect with other interns across the region! (Intern Summer Connect)

South Bend Code School Offers AI Workshop: Free AI workshops are coming to South Bend this summer, hosted by South Bend Code School and the St. Joseph County Public Library. Open to all adults—no tech background needed—the sessions will make tools like ChatGPT feel approachable and useful.

Workshop Schedule (1–3 PM at the Community Learning Center at the library):

• June 14: Generative AI & Your Career

• July 12: Learn to Code with Generative AI

• August 23: How Can AI Help Me With My Life?

Workshops are free, but space is limited. Pre-registration encouraged. (Register)

Happy Friday! See you around the Bend!

Congrats! You made it to the end of the newsletter! I don’t have a prize I can hand out, but! Send me an email telling me about your favorite event this week!

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