Since the start of my senior year I have been trying to do things around Erie that are “Erie-specific” things to do. I’ve wanted to experience the city as it is described by all of the Erieites who swear it is a fun city.
I find that most people who aren’t from the area have a difficult time finding activities that do make the city much more fun.
The city does not only offer Presque Isle and the bars downtown, it also has many hole-in-the-wall establishments that are truly worth the search that is necessary to find them. I have done a few things so far and I have plans for others in the future.
Every time I ask someone from Erie what I should try next they always include a very extensive list of things that I should try. The list is usually so long that it would be difficult to complete.
They also include a list that is very sad to them, of all the establishments that have been closed.
The list typically includes:
The Dollar Theater
Pufferbelly Restaurant
Crazy Mazie’s
Frankie and May’s
Gigliotti’s
Sidewalk Café
Pulako’s Café
Crooked Eye
Boston Store
Three Brother’s Pizza
I find it sad that these little establishments are closing or have been closed and it’s mostly because it is so difficult to find them. Being an advertising major it does bother me to see that some small businesses do not have the ability to participate in almost any areas of promotion.
The search for these establishments can be quite entertaining but there is a difference between using Dora’s map with three steps to finding a place and using an elaborate treasure map written in a foreign language that’s missing a piece.
The steps to learning about a business’s existence should not be too difficult customers because they are often not willing to have an intense search. It is difficult to get customers to come to an establishment when they have no idea it exists.
I would love the chance to try all of these places but sadly I’ll never get that chance. Not every business can stay active but it is always a treat to find a fun, new place that is a staple to the city.
I have learned that Erie is a fun city and has more to do than most people visiting realize.
SARAH BARTKOWIAK
