If you’ve been wondering if Avondale has its own downtown, the answer is yes (sort of). Avondale is one of the smaller communities in the West Valley, with a 2023 population estimate of about 93,500. But like the rest of the Valley, the population is only growing.The city doesn’t necessarily have one centralized downtown area. The answer is probably closer to three: historic Old Town Avondale, the BLVD and the Row. Each area offers something different. Old Town Avondale keeps the city’s historic charm with mom-and-pop shops. It’s a go-to for locally made food and shops. The Row is where you might go for a more modern feel, with several chain restaurants and popular stores. The BLVD, on the other hand, is Avondale’s up-and-coming walkable development. At completion, the BLVD will see new restaurants, apartments and entertainment venues. What’s special about Old Town Avondale?Most people might identify Old Town Avondale as the heart of Avondale. The city started out as a stagecoach stop in the 1880s and was originally named Coldwater. Since then, the area has kept its historic charm — with some modernized updates, of course. Old Town Avondale is located along Western Avenue in between Central Avenue and Dysart Road. Popular spots include Cafe Zamora and the Pasta Shop. Ambiente Nightclub is also located along the way, along with other stores like a barbershop and coffee shop. More:Goodyear is named after the tire company, but there’s a lot more to its historyWhat’s at the Row? In addition to restaurants, the Row has more entertainment options than Old Town Avondale. However, the area largely consists of local and national chain restaurants instead of mom-and-pop shops. Restaurant options consist of places like Raising Canes, Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs, and sit-down restaurants like Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks. There are also plenty of entertainment options. Main Event, for example, is a large arcade for people of all ages with activities like bowling, laser tag and arcade games, as well as a full-service bar. The Room Escape Games also is a great spot for those who like to put their puzzle-solving skills to the test with an escape room. And if you’re feeling like using a little less brain power, there’s always the Harkins movie theater across the street. What’s coming to the BLVD? According to city documents, the BLVD is envisioned as Avondale’s walkable, mixed-use community with a variety of higher-density residential developments and a mix of office, retail and entertainment destinations. The BLVD is located along Avondale Boulevard south of Interstate 10 and north of the Avondale Civic Center. The area already sees traffic because of its proximity to the Randall McDaniel Sports Complex. It is the largest multi-sports complex in Arizona, hosting different tournaments, leagues an d sports classes. While more is still to come, the BLVD already has a number of restaurants and hotels. Some include beer spot Tap 2, Soda Bomb, Dutch Bros Coffee and New Penny Cafe. A number of hotels are also in the area, including a Hilton Garden Inn and a Residence Inn by Marriott. Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle. …
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