FLINT (WJRT) -- (09/02/09)--With new students moving into downtown Flint, the dream of the area becoming more of a college town is now beginning to take shape. There are a few extra faces beginning to venture out from the residence halls to explore Saginaw Street to check out what the city has to offer.
Downtown Flint is now home to hundreds of students attending one of the areas colleges and universities.
Many are still getting adjusted to the place they'll call home for the rest of the school year.
"I think it would be nice to have something to go to at night, and hang out," said Michael Arnold.
And there are plenty of new places to hang in downtown this year with the addition of several new bars and restaurants like Wize Guys and 501 Bar & Grill.
And there are those staples like Churchill's, which is rolling out the red carpet for its new neighbors.
"You get to meet a whole new group of people." said Angela Espinoza. "They are fun to talk to."
The restaurant is running a special offering students discounts for stopping in to grab a bite to eat.
"It's a nice, cool environment here, that like to hang out here if it's their last class," Espinoza said.
But still some students long for the amenities of home, while others are embracing what's right outside their front door.
"Being right around the corner from all these restaurants and the pavilion and the other dorms are right around the corner. You get to mingle with just about everyone," Arnold said. To add to the entertainment, downtown planners are looking at having the Whiting Auditorium concert series in the future. They'll have about three concerts a year at the venue.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6995743
Meet your neighbor: Tim Petrowski, Flint
By Lorri Lea
July 03, 2009, 1:33PM
Photo by Alex Slitz | The Flint Journal
Tim Petrowski, bartender at Churchill's Food and Spirits, downtown Flint.
What is your typical day like?
Slingin' drinks, meeting new people, conversing with people I've known for years. I also do an appetizer menu; I run that at night.
What led to you work for Churchill's?
I came downtown to apply for a job at another establishment. Then I came to Churchill's to see a band called Gene Pool. After the show, I helped with the clean-up; I started bringing things back up to the bar, and the bartender said she was looking for some help.
What is the strangest thing that's ever happened to you on the job?
There are so many (laughs). The first Earpfest was one of the best nights we ever had in terms of business. One band brought in boxes of Fruity Pebbles and wanted to share with the crowd. So everyone in the audience had cereal, and so did everyone at the bar. It was everywhere. This place was a disaster zone.
What was your first job?
Lawn mowing. My brother and I used to drive around and do landscaping work.
What is the one thing you cannot live without?
The music of Alice Cooper. I've seen him 57 times.
Given a free day, what would you choose to do?
I always leave Flint on my days off, head to the lake, and party down.
Who would you most like to meet?
I've already met him. Alice Cooper. I had dinner with him in my house.
What is your dream vacation?
Never coming back to work again. Whose isn't?
If you could create the perfect job, what would it be?
Being a DJ at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix, Ariz.
As seen in the Flint Journal: http://www.mlive.com/living/flint/index.ssf/2009/07/meet_your_neighbor_tim_petrows.html
Churchill's a staple hangout for Flint university students
by: Lacee-Starr Horton
3/10/08
The next time you're looking to grab lunch with a friend or want a place to hang out between classes, don't be afraid to cross the street. While you may find lots of banks, lawyers' offices and insurance companies, you'll also find Churchill's. Churchill's Bar and Restaurant, under its current ownership, has been serving the downtown area for over 15 years. Opened when business in the downtown area was at its peak, Churchill's has seen the hardship of Flint's failing economy but has stayed optimistic. Owners Nadine Cook and Scot Richmond have held on with the hopes that the downtown area would thrive again.
"The past eight years has been a struggle," says Cook. But with features like a full bar, smoking and non-smoking dining rooms and delivery in the downtown area, Churchill's has something for everyone.
Some of their biggest customers have been students and staff from UM-Flint. Churchill's has always been a campus hangout, says Cook.
"Students like to come here because it's a homey place," she says.
The owners love to see college kids coming in to enjoy the great food. The casual atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and take a break between classes. Have early classes and often skip breakfast? You'll benefit from their breakfast menu, available weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
With student housing on the horizon, the staff at Churchill's has been getting ready to accommodate the anticipated increase in "foot traffic" in the downtown district and they are willing to do all they can to get students to visit them. That includes expanding delivery routes to include the student housing complex. Although no definite plans have been made, "we are definitely open to having more hours," Cook said of the new dorms affecting business. A lot of their current customers, aside from employees of the downtown area, come from the university, and they want students to know they are here to serve them. The university is a big part of the downtown area.
"It's time for this to be a college town," says Cook. "It's time for Flint to turn around."
Currently, Churchill's is open Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m. and Saturday's at 8 p.m. Thursday night is college night.