58 • | AUGUST 2019 | BACK TO CAMPUS GUIDE | STUDENT LIFE
THE STANDARD
THE-STANDARD.ORG
Hidden gems worth digging for AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 As the third largest city in Missouri, Springfield offers many unique places to visit. Many people know about the Wonders of Wildlife Museum or the Dickerson Park Zoo, but there is more to Springfield hiding behind buildings and subdivisions just waiting to be discovered. Dale Moore, professor of media, journalism and film at Missouri State University, said he spends a lot of time hanging out at Mudhouse Coffee near the corner of West Walnut Street and South Avenue. Although coffee is in their name, Mudhouse serves finger foods worth checking out, Moore said. “It’s just a cool place to go,” Moore said. Matthew Foster, a senior electronic arts and audio studies major, said he loves playing games at the 1984 arcade on Jefferson Street because it’s practically a museum of 80s pop culture and has a large working pinball collection. The arcade has classics such as Burger Time, Ms. PacMan and Joust. But Foster’s favorite game at 1984 is Galaga. “I can always go in to play Galaga and then I get the high score every time I go in, so I get to come back for free,”
ZOE BROWN/THE STANDARD
The 1984 arcade on Jefferson Street. ZOE BROWN/THE STANDARD
Mudhouse coffee shop in downtown Springfield. Foster said. The arcade’s hours are from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. In April, 1984 opened a second location in Branson. It’s hours differ from the Springfield location, so be sure to check both 1984’s Facebook pages or websites for more information. Foster said he recommends trying Umi Sushi Bar on South Kimbrough Avenue if you are willing to spend a little extra money for quality sushi. “The guy in there (Spring Park) is a master chef,” Foster said. “He’s not a wannabe. It’s his restaurant, he does the
cooking, he’s the sushi chef (and) he’s who makes the grocery lists every day in that place.” Autumn Loerzel, a May 2019 graduate of MSU, said she enjoys making and decorating buttons at Rosette Studios on South Campbell Avenue. Rosette Studios is an art gallery that also sells craft supplies. They also offer henna tattoos by appointment. “There’s a lot of little handy crafts that you can do there,” Loerzel said. Loerzel said the crafts are relatively cheap and easy to make. They have black scratch-off papers for a $1 each. Rosette Studios is known for its laser cutting and vinyl work. It is in the process of moving to East St. Louis Street. These are just a few unique places around Springfield worth giving a try. There is much to see and experience around the city, so don’t be afraid to venture out.