🍀 Vote For Your Favorite Coffee Shop

Happy Friday and 4th of July! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.

In today’s digest:

• The Final Coffee Trail ☕️ The Local Cup

• First Fridays

• Taya

• Adult Recess

This issue is 1,316 words, a 4-minute read.

The Digest

The Coffee Trail Comes to an End ☕️ The Local Cup

Well folks, this is it. The end of the road. It’s been real, Y’all… And I decided to save the best for last.

While a little on the smaller side, and not inherently known as a common place to work remotely, the Local Cup, located in the heart of the Near Northwest Neighborhood, is one of the most community-oriented coffee shops in The Bend.

Why? The Local Cup is 100% built on a pay-it-forward model.

Meaning?

Any prices listed for their goods are suggestions, with the expectation that those who can afford it will. And those who cannot, don’t need to.

While the space is a little smaller than some of the ones on the list below, and may operate better for remote work when you don’t need to use your laptop as much or have a chat with an old friend, I can’t help but give The Local Cup…

5 🔌 🔌 🔌 🔌 🔌 out of 5.

Because where else will you find a coffee shop as dedicated to the community and all its neighbors as the Local Cup?

Think I got it wrong, though? Here’s your chance to vote for your favorite below!

Adopt a new friend: Taya

Meet Taya: If you’re looking for a gentle giant to love and care for as she enjoys her retirement, Taya is the perfect match for you!

At 11 years old, Taya is ready to chill and enjoy time with her forever family, who will love and care for her well as she ages!

Apply to foster or adopt this darling today!

INRUGCO: One of Mishawaka’s Best-Kept Secrets

Voted “One of the Best Places to Shop in Mishawaka”, InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop isn’t just about rugs — it’s a cozy, old-school mercantile tucked near the Mishawaka Riverwalk, right across from Central Park.

Each week, we’re highlighting one of our favorite finds:

👉Townie Sticker — If you know me, you know I am an avid fan of many things, especially:

• South Bend

• Stickers

• Being Known as a Townie.

Catch me picking this up and adding it to my car (maybe right next to my Okay, Yeah Vintage Fest Sticker?) this weekend!

From local gifts inspired by Mishawaka, Michiana, and the Midwest, to just plain good customer service, INRUGCO is the kind of shop you walk into once and never forget.

See this week’s pick: Townie Sticker
Or explore the shop: https://indianarugco.com

 The Happenings

4TH OF JULY … IN THE BEND!

Celebrate the 4th with one of these fun options below! Then check out the link if you’re up for a little adventure. The South Bend Tribune outlined in the link below all sorts of fun things to do in the Bend and a little beyond!

• Howard Park Fireworks! Enjoy the movie Shrek and Fireworks afterwards.

• The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is putting on a “Salute to Freedom” at the Morris. This event is free, but you do need a ticket for entry → Tickets 

• Fireworks at the 4-H Fair

• Fireworks at the South Bend Cubs - you have two opportunities here on July 4th and 5th!

 Details

First Friday in Downtown South Bend: Backyard BBQ

Don’t want to have your own bbq but still want some good grub tonight? Check out all the vendors hanging out downtown! There’s sure to be something for everyone!

Details

More events

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

 🏺 Pottery Class: Check out this 5-week pottery class put on by Make South Bend! Purchase your ticket

🏛 Architectural Walking Tours: Discover the rich history of South Bend and all the stunning architecture throughout the city! Register

🇨🇴 Movies at the Morris: Mark your calendar for Encanto, playing at the Morris. Details

🎭 Morris Presents: Salute to Freedom - grab your tickets for Independence Day! Check it out!

🍷 Wine Glass Painting: Paint some wine glasses with friends over at Ironhand! Details

🏀 All-Star Scavenger Hunt: If you’re as big a WNBA fan as I am (you’re not 😉 ), then race me around the bend in this scavenger hunt to score exclusive prizes to WNBA All-Star weekend! Details

🎧 Afrobeats: Check out these sick beats at Stockroom East! Details

🥃 All Across America Bourbon Tasting: Bourbon enthusiast, Michael Norris will be guiding guests through a variety of different bourbon’s and their stories during this special event! Register

⚽️ 🏈🛝 Adult Recess Field Day: Need a little break from the everyday? Miss having scheduled recesses and outdoor time like you did as a kid? Well grab your friends or make some new ones at this fun event! Details

🍅 Portage Farm Market: Head on over to the Near Northwest Neighborhood for their farm market next to the Botany Shop! Details

✨Coming soon✨

🐶 Drool in the Pool: Bring your furry friend out to Kennedy Water Park on their last day of the season! Details

🎪 Fall Family Fun Fair: Check out all the fun things to do at this fair put on by South Bends Venue Parks and Arts! Details

🛻 Food Truck Friday: Head on over to the Mishawaka biergarten for food truck friday! Details

🎪 Kamm Island Fest: Don’t miss this fun and unique festival happening in a couple of weeks over at the Mishawaka Riverwalk! Details

Rapid Fire Hits

Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐

Joe’s Tavern: While I never visited Joe’s Tavern myself when it was up and running, join me in welcoming it back to the Bend! (Joe’s Tavern) The paragraph below is from the Tavern site.

South Bend Diamond View Apartments: The horizon is changing in the Bend on the south side of downtown. The Diamond View apartments are expected to be ready for leasing within the year. In contrast, the second phase (the Stadium Flats) is expected to break ground sometime this fall and winter, bringing the total number of additional housing units downtown to 192. The best part about many of these units is that they are being specifically designed for the workforce and those making less than 50k/year (Think young professionals just starting out, those with significantly lower income, teachers, city workers, firefighters, etc.) (Details)

Apartment and Realtor Recommendations: This family will be joining our community here in the Bend from Connecticut and could use some assistance from the community to find great housing and/or a realtor! If that’s you or someone you know, Reply to the Thread!

MURAL MANIA: Ever wanted to watch live art be created? Well, right now you can do it for free all around the city! Grab a lawn chair and some lunch and head over to one of the sites on the map linked here → Details

The Kroger on Western Avenue is closing on August 2nd, and has pricing discounts on many items between 20-30% (Details)

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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💎 Know any hidden gems around the Bend we should cover? Reply to this email with the details!