West Washington Street has been a base for Latin American immigrants in Indianapolis for decades. The area near Belmont Street contains an array of historic mixed-use store fronts. This may be a controversial point, but I believe this might be most fully-functioning “Main Street” type of area in the city. Most of the buildings are occupied, and there is a diverse array of services provided to the Latin American community.
First off is a nicely designed store:
These old one story banks are all around the city. It’s a shame that this one is no longer in use:
At the western end of my walk, a nice brick 2 story:
I walked back to the east. Here’s a glimpse of a church at the center of the community:
Across the street, multiple houses have been converted in to niche businesses:
On the south side of the street, I tried to take this picture discreetly. There was a very good restaurant here, looks like they are working on refurbishing it now:
On the same block, notice the sign pointing out the trash can. Also notice that it has unfortunately been ignored:
Mobile taco stands like this are all the rage in larger cities:
I bought a tamarind flavored soda in this store. The produce in here looked very good, btw:
Proof that converting a house into a new use is not an new trend, here’s a funeral home that was converted some time ago:
In the middle of the neighborhood is Washington Community School:
More colorful storefronts:
Finally, a great old home:
TACO CART! We ride our bikes to that taco cart from downtown. They have incredible tacos al pastor. Served up with salsa and radishes.
Oops, looking at it, we usually go to the one in the gravel parking lot.
I teach at George Washington! It's a great area of the city and deserves more love. Thanks for posting this!
On my birthday last year, I went to La Frontera to get some elote (Mexican corn-on-the-cob), which I then followed with some tacos and horchata from that same taco cart. Good eats!
I think it's great the Latin community is living the so called 'American Dream' more than most people who inhabit this country. I happen to love this strip of commercial paradise in Indy! Just not much of it around anymore.