The Argonaut 2024 | Best of Moscow

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THE BEST OF MOSCOW

Best of Events

Moscow Farmers Market brings a vibrant atmosphere to downtown

From a parking lot to downtown, the market has grown into a Moscow staple

Every May through October, Moscow residents and students can find Main Street a bustle of excitement because of the Moscow Farmers Market.

The market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and has been a staple in Moscow for many years.

The market began in 1976 and was founded by the Moscow Food Co-op where it was first held in the current City Hall parking lot, according to Laurra Perrigo the Administrative Specialist for Community Events for the City of Moscow.

“Like most iconic events that Moscow has become known for, a small group of folks got together to make it happen, and the party has been going on ever since,” Amanda Argona, the Community Events Manager said.

In 2012, the city took over the market and expanded it onto Main Street.

Argona hopes that the market will be recognized as one of the top five farmers markets in the United States and she hopes to see this goal in her time as manager.

“I love getting downtown before 5 a.m. to watch the Market come alive as the world wakes up,” Cody Riddle the Community Development City Supervisor wrote in an email.

“The energy, enthusiasm and passion is contagious as the morning builds to that opening 8 a.m. bell.

You can see pride in market, pride in the university, and pride in the community on full display.”

Perrigo shared that a wide variety of people visit the market, including those who wake up early, people who go seeking specific items and those who are there for the food.

“The Market is a place where families and the community gather to catch-up, enjoy great music and fill their baskets with the best the Market has to offer,” Perrigo wrote in an email.

The market has a youth program they are hoping to expand, called the Power of Produce Club, POP. It is a once-a-month seasonal tasting program and activity for children ages 5 through 12.

“I hope to partner with local businesses and organizations to build on the monthly POP Club theme through art, literature, or other creative outlets,” Perrigo wrote.

Argona prides the market on its attention to detail for the vendors and the products being sold. All products, especially fresh produce, cannot be resold and must be in season for customers. They also

learn about every vendor they have so they can assure the quality and what that vendor or farm is about.

“I’ve sold pottery at a lot of different venues and [Moscow Farmers Market] has been by far the best,” Pam Spens, a vendor at the market who owns Paradise Creek Pottery, said. “The organizers are excellent and the people who come to the market are so supportive and wonderful.”

Riddle appreciates that the market is a safe environment for all.

“While the market is planned, managed and operated by two staff members, it is a community effort,” Riddle wrote. “Beyond staff, the vendors themselves take tremendous pride and ownership in seeing the Market succeed. They can be found

helping each other, and staff each and every week.”

A focus for the market is to address that downtown Moscow is part of a historic town and isn’t meant to hold events, especially large ones like the market and to find solutions for these issues according to Argona.

Visitors from all over enjoy the farmers market from the safe and welcoming community to friendly vendors and quality produce.

“Moscow is a special place, with such tremendous community character,” Riddle wrote. “The blend of local residents and the influx of people visiting creates such a vibrant energy that other communities simply can’t replicate.”

John Keegan | Argonaut Customers shop at a vendor’s stand
Andrea Roberts ARGONAUT

Poll chooses top Moscow locations

Best of Local Bands

1. Desolation Horse: 84 votes

2. The Moscow Mules: 74 votes

3. Blaine Andrew Ross and the Contraband Cowboys: 42 votes

Best of Moscow highlights offerings

The results of the survey are in. From Sept. 6 to Oct. 9, a total of 392 people voted in the Best of Moscow Poll. 37 businesses across 12 categories were included.

Best of Downtown Specialty Stores

1. Book People: 100 votes

2. Moscow Food Co-Op: 88 votes

3. Ampersand Tap House: 57 votes

Best of Secondhand Shops

1. The Storm Cellar: 142 votes

2. Hope Center: 86 votes

3. Palouse Habitat for Humanity Resources: 56 votes

Best of Coffee Shops

1. One World Cafe: 182 votes

2. Cafe Artista: 58 votes

3. Red Star: 44 votes

Best of Tattoos and Body Piercings

1. Moscow Tattoo Company: 104 votes

2. Bitterroot Tattoo: 70 votes

3. Pen and Oak Tattoo: 35 votes

4. Swan Family Ink: 35 votes

Best of Events

1. Farmers Market: 237 votes

2. University of Idaho Homecoming: 68 votes

3. Moscowberfest: 34 votes

Best of Date Night Dining

1. Lodgepole: 91 votes

2. Maialina: 90 votes

3. La Casa Lopez: 78 votes

Best of Signature Drinks

1. Patty’s Kitchen Pitchers: 107 votes

2. Mingles Vandalizer: 92 votes

3. Corner Club Larry Craig: 37 votes

Best of Quick Bites

1. Mikey’s Gyros: 119 votes

2. Moscow Bagel Shop: 93 votes

3. Humble Burger: 71 votes

Best of Entertainment

1. Kenworthy Performing Arts Center: 213 votes

2. Village Centre Cinemas: 73 votes

3. Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center: 22 votes

Best Outdoor Activities on the Palouse

1. UI Arboretum and Botanical Garden: 198 votes

2. Moscow Mountain: 117 votes

3. Latah Trail: 21 votes

Best Coffee Shacks

1. Red Star: 146 votes

2. Gypsy Java: 76 votes

3. KnoxBox: 17 votes

I moved to Moscow in 2023 and, coming from a suburban town, I enjoyed the small-town ambience Moscow brings. From wandering the farmer’s market to sitting at One World Cafe drinking a chai latte, Moscow brings a comforting feeling. I have perused BookPeople’s selection and gone on late-night walks to Grub Truck with my friends. Downtown Moscow definitely has something for everybody. Whether people like

thrift stores or antiquing or a fun bar with friends, it can all be found in this college town. Downtown Moscow is only a quick walk from campus and very accessible for anyone who doesn’t have a car. It is a welcoming and vibrant environment that has something to do at any date, time or season. Moscow is small but exploring it all can take time and that’s the fun part of this small town.

The Best of Moscow is a great place to start for anyone new to the town or visiting as we highlight residents and students’ favorite place on campus. While we haven’t included all of the amazing businesses downtown in this supplement, everyone at The Argonaut encourages you to go and explore the vast variety of small businesses by the Moscow community.

John Keegan | Argonaut Andrea Roberts at The Argonaut

Best of Specialty Stores

BookPeople: a story of success

A small business serving the community for over 50 years

Few stores are as iconic in Moscow as BookPeople, a locally owned and operated bookstore that has been bettering the community since 1973.

Serving a wide variety of customers from inquisitive college students to all kinds of Moscow community members, BookPeople offers genres and opportunities for all types of readers.

Located at 521 S. Main St., this store is one that holds a host of wonders inside. Each of the spiraling shelves are tightly packed with all sorts of literature options, giving the place a tight knit and cozy feel while being quite expansive.

The experience of walking into the store, as explained by Katie, the Kid’s Book Section Manager, is one that allows people to step into an incredible place.

“Bookshops are often a magical experience, and BookPeople is no different,” Katie said. “There is something different here every time you come in and it feels like a story in itself.”

This feeling has resonated within the community, especially from students who enjoy spending time there. One student in particular, Abbi McCall, recounts her first impression of the store.

“It was very homey and comforting when I had just moved to a new town,” McCall said. “I felt very at peace there.”

To keep up with the everchanging college population and demands, they continue to adapt and grow with the demographic

Best of Coffee Shops

they serve, which is why they have continual outreach and activities going on.

One primary way in which the store enriches the community is in the type of events they host. There’s always something going on, and to find out more information about special dates and events, they’ve created a source to access the calendar of events on their website.

Bailey, a bookseller who works there, explains how she’s seen BookPeople have a positive impact on the community as a whole.

“I’ve learned how crucial it is to have a space like BookPeople within the community,” Bailey

said. “Somewhere people feel free to explore and expose themselves to different facets of life. The fact that we get to provide that type of learning and escape to the people in our small town will always bring such joy and inspiration to those of us working here.”

The charm and wonder they spread throughout town is contagious, but this is nothing new. They’ve been supporting and strengthening the community for decades. BookPeople is more than just a spot to buy books at. More of their history can be found on their About Us page on their website.

On top of all that, the business is so much more than just a

bookstore; they offer sweets, puzzles, mugs, and more. This contributes to their ability to cater to a larger audience.

“So many of our customers are coming in with open and curious minds,” Bri Pickens, the store’s manager said. “The great thing about a college town is that most are coming here to learn, and hopefully grow, as people.”

So, if ever there’s ever a need for a quaint bookshop, somewhere to go and explore, or a ‘home away from home’, head to BookPeople in downtown Moscow. With the help of the generous staff and welcoming facilities, there’s sure to be a place for everyone.

Coffee, comfort and community

From lattes to happy hour, One World has it all

One World Cafe has been a crucial downtown coffee shop since 2005 when it first opened.

“We wanted a coffee shop that was welcoming for anybody,” Sara Hume, a co-owner of One World said.

Hume stated that One World is a place for everyone.

With only a quick walk from campus, One World is also a staple for students. It is a place where a lot of UI students work as well.

“I would describe One World as a unique third space in our community,” Hume said. “People will go to work, or school, or home, but One World is a place where

people can come every day and socialize, study and feel just as comfortable as they would in those spaces that they are at all the time.”

One World has a calming atmosphere with vintage furniture and many seats. One side has coffee, and the other is a pub where they pride themselves on their happy hour.

They also have affordable food made from scratch including bread, pastries, soup, a new breakfast collection and more.

One World, of course, also has a variety of coffee.

“Our coffee is roasted direct trade in Troy, Idaho and it’s delivered hours after it has been packaged and roasted,” Hume said. “Our baristas are all very well trained and care about the quality of the espresso.”

One World also has an on-campus location in the Jansen Engineering Building.

From the people to the food, and the coffee, One World is a town favorite.

One World is located at 533 S. Main St.

Riley Vogt | Argonaut
One World Cafe’s logo on glass lit by the neon lights of a live music performance inside.
Ashley Kramer | Argonaut Street view of BookPeople of Moscow on Main Street

Delicious affordable food and community events make Mikey’s Greek Gyros a Moscow mainstay

Mikey’s motto of “do good,

do well” rings true

For the second year, Mikey’s Gyros, located at 527 S. Main St., has been voted Best of Quick Bites.

When visiting Mikey’s in downtown Moscow, you can expect to be greeted by fragrant aromas and friendly faces.

First opened in 1982, the laidback Greek restaurant has been serving college students and locals alike for more than 40 years.

Mina Ashkannejhad, the current owner, is one of those friendly faces. After operating under the same management for decades, Ashkannejhad and her partner Jeremy Martin jumped at the chance for ownership following the previous owner’s retirement earlier this year.

Best of Drinks

First starting work at the restaurant in 2003 as a college student, she’d later jump between jobs but always found herself back at Mikey’s.

“After graduating, I left Moscow and worked in the legal industry but ended up landing back here in 2013,” Ashkannejhad said. “There’s something exhilarating about the demands of the service industry. It’s not for everyone, but I think I realized a long time ago that it was for me.”

On their menu, you’ll find the usuals from Greek cuisine, like a beef and lamb gyro, chicken pita, Greek salad and baklava. They also serve vegetarians as well with dishes such as falafel, hummus and avocado pitas.

Affordability is a huge motif of Mikey’s. Not a single menu item is above $10. Keeping Mikey’s accessible is important to Ashkannejhad and Martin, who spoke of their love that people can eat there multiple times a week or bring their whole family without breaking the bank.

With college students being notoriously hungry and strapped for cash, it’s no wonder Mikey’s holds such a special place in the hearts of residents.

The food and bargains aren’t the only thing that’s unique about

Mikey’s. The large, ambiently lit space also frequently acts as a venue for live music, hosting local bands from every genre under the sun.

Ashkannejhad describes this facet of operations as a passion project, chronicling her drive to create a safe space in town for the more niche groups of Moscow. LGBTQ+ organizations, punk shows and metal bands are all recurrent performers at Mikey’s.

“Mikey’s vibe has always been

‘do good, do well,’” Ashkannejhad said. “Supporting the community brings everyone together and that can only mean good things for Mikey’s and the world.”

More than just a restaurant, Mikey’s is a place that cares deeply for its patrons and community. The delicious food is just a plus. Whether you’re there for the music, the affordability or you’re simply craving a good gyro, Mikey’s provides a welcoming atmosphere that’s hard to beat.

Margarita magic: why locals love Patty’s Mexican Kitchen

and decided to put it on the menu.

Gerardo Alverez came up with the secret margarita recipe. The only piece of information they share is that it is made with gold tequila.

Nestled on 450 W. 6th St. is the redwood outdoor restaurant of Patty’s Mexican Kitchen and Bar, filled with plant life and Latin music.

These are no regular margaritas, however; their enhanced flavor combinations and colors set them apart from the rest. With six fruit flavors available, their bartenders can make any combination the patron asks for, with names like “Midnight Madness,” “Patty’s Punch” and “Tsunami.”

Many mixed drinks’ flavors come from a syrup bottle, but the pitchers have actual fruit purees in them.

“The Midnight Madness is where it all started,” restaurant manager and bartender Tommy Burke said.

Students wanted fruity margaritas, so Burke began combining flavors to test what was received well and they began calling it the “Tommy Special.” Restaurant owners Patty and Gerardo Alverez were continually getting orders for Tommy’s Special

From there, Burke began naming the fruit combinations. Midnight Madness is huckleberry and blue raspberry. The color of the pitcher turns a deep purple almost black, that reminded Burke of the night sky. He says the names don’t typically mean anything special.

“I named it the Tsunami because it rhymes with Tommy.”

Similar to Patty’s Punch, it was simply named for its fruit punch flavor.

Every once in a while, Burke will come up with a new combination, like the ‘Solar Eclipse’ that isn’t on the menu yet, it’s a combination of huckleberry, blue raspberry and strawberry, creating a deep purple at the bottom of the pitcher and gradually lightening towards the top with a light purple.

Over the past five years, regular patrons began naming some of their favorite flavor combinations. This led to regular crowds gathering for specific nights of the week When Patty’s highlights a specific menu item. Burke said the Sunday night crowd prefers Patty’s Punch, the combination of passionfruit and strawberry. The crowd is a group of families who have been coming for

years and Burke has been able to see their kids get older.

April and May are the most popular time for students to enjoy Patty’s pitchers and the Moscow locals enjoy the summer downtime without students. The outdoor space and the choice of sitting in the shade or the sun make for a perfect environment to relax and enjoy good food and delicious margaritas.

With the lively outdoor atmosphere, Burke said, “There’s no other place like this to get a drink in Moscow.”

Patty’s Pitchers stand out with their flavors
Allyssa Dotson ARGONAUT
John Keegan | Argonaut Customer orders at Mikey’s front counter
Henry Halcomb | Argonaut
Empty Patty’s Pitcher margaritas
Patty’s Mexican Kitchen | Courtesy Patty’s Pitcher margaritas

A quick coffee convenience

A drive-up coffee stand with Vandal and community pride

Red Star Coffee Company is certianly a popular drive-up coffee stand located in the same parking lot as the Sinclair gas station at 1046 Pullman Rd.

“When we bought the business in 2019, we had actually joked about changing the name to ‘Gold Star’ because we are such big Vandal fans,” the owner, Sara Kimberling, and manager, Kelly Glider, of Red Star co answered. “Our focus has been to build on the existing brand while making it our own.”

The owners went on to write how the community has been their best supporter throughout the years.

Red Star was first opened in 2009 and has been a staple in Moscow since.

“Moscow is such a diverse community, and we are blessed to get to serve everyone,” the owners wrote.

The owners also pride themselves on their quality of drinks and their diverse menu and customizable drinks. They are proud of their staff.

“We know every single person on our team is genuinely invested in the work they do and the relationships they get to build every day,” the owners wrote.

Red Star also hopes to one day expand and they are hopeful for growth opportunities in the coming years.

Red Star Coffee Company is a great way to get a quick cup of coffee at a drive through that is still hand and quality made.

Storm Cellar’s secret to sustainable fashion picks

“The [farmers] market is a big boon to the sales here just because Main St. floods with people and they kind of find themselves walking in whether or not they even intended to come here that particular day,” Wison said.

The store isn’t just busy on the weekends either.

Walking through downtown Moscow, there are many places to shop. However, The Storm Cellar at 504 Main St. is a definite favorite.

The secondhand store has been open for 15 years and has become a staple in the community.

The Storm Cellar is known for buying lightly worn clothes from locals and reselling them for an affordable price. This helps promote sustainable and reusable shopping and decreases the wastefulness of brief fashion trends.

The store manager, Gunn Wilson, explained that this process also benefits the sellers. They can sell the clothes that they no longer use and still get something out of it that’s devoted to the local clothing economy.

“We buy clothes from people, and we will either pay them out in cash or they could get it as store credit on a store gift card,” Wilson said.

It’s a rare day for The Storm Cellar to have low customer foot traffic with many of the sellers looking around while they wait for their clothes to be processed or other customers stopping by to shop. Its central location downtown and frequently changing selection also draws in a crowd.

With students not having classes and wanting something fun to do, Saturdays are shoppers’ favorite day to come in and look around.

“Usually after two or after three o’ clock when everyone’s done with their classes, they come in and mess up the racks, but it’s when I see messy racks I know that we had a good day,” Wilson said.

The Storm Cellar is also popular for the organization of

the secondhand store. The staff regularly moves sections around and display clothes that fit the season and current fashion trends.

“I think the average shopper has gotten the idea of that this place is breathing. One week we have great skirts, the next week we have great dresses, and the next week we have really interesting men’s items.”

The store also wants their items to have variety and be available so that anyone can enjoy them.

“We want to be there for people who want cool, interesting things at completely reasonable and affordable prices where you find

something that feels one of a kind, or maybe part of a trend that’s coming on.”

This lets people come in and find what they’re looking for or maybe find some things that they aren’t.

Shopping at The Storm Cellar is a great way to save money, buy clothing locally and give it a second chance, and promote sustainability.

“Almost everyone likes shopping,” Wilson said. “May as well have the shopping be somewhat productive and efficient at the same time. I just see a lot of people enjoying us for that reason and enjoying Moscow as a whole.”

John Keegan | Argonaut
The employees at Red Star can always be seen helping customers with a smile
Ashley Kramer | Argonaut
The Storm Cellar offers quality clothes for anyone looking to ramp up their style

The Kenworthy Performing Arts Center: “entertainment for every type of person”

The history, vision and community impact of the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center brings a love of the arts to Moscow

Located at 508 S. Main St., the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center is one of the staples in the historic downtown of Moscow, and has been a part of the Palouse community for almost a century. With its iconic marquee, its impressive auditorium and the stage where countless performances have

occurred and even more films have been projected, the Kenworthy is a beloved source of entertainment for many.

“We strive to provide a variety of entertainment for every type of person,” said Devin Mendenall from the Kenworthy’s Programming and Marketing team.

Walking into the theater feels like a blast from the past. The marquee, last remodeled in 1949, and the iconic vertical “Kenworthy” sign look like it was taken straight from a photobook. The ticket booth looks just as it would in decades past.

“The Kenworthy theatre occupies a dominant position in the turn-ofthe-century cityscape of downtown

Homegrown talent: Desolation Horse wins hearts of town

Moscow,” the website said.

The Kenworthy’s age is not a mark of decay, rather, the theater boasts the historical significance of the building in Palouse history.

“Kenworthy has a rich history… [and] you can feel that history when you are in the building,” Mendenall added.

According to the website, the Kenworthy was first opened to the public on Jan. 4, 1926. Before long, the Kenworthy would expand, be remodeled, and host cutting edge developments in the realm of film and cinema.

Even today, the Kenworthy is proud of its exciting and unique repertoire of entertainment.

“Our value lies in offering events and film screenings that you can’t experience anywhere else,” Mendenall said. “Many new release films are exclusive to our location because we want to showcase something that people can’t see at mainstream theaters.”

The Robert Morgan theatre pipe organ, now kept in the University of Idaho Auditorium, was used to accompany silent films and provide live music. Around opening, the stage was “used for vaudeville and other dramatic productions,” the website said.

Anyone who knows the Kenworthy knows how varied their schedule looks when it comes out every month. There certainly is always something interesting for

everyone, making it no wonder why the theater won the entertainment category for Best of Moscow.

“In October, the Moscow Film Society teams up with the University of Idaho’s Horror Film Class, taught by Professor [Russell] Meeuf,” Mendenall said. “This year, the students have organized a series that gets progressively scarier: ‘Coraline’, ‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’, ‘Get Out’, and ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’”

He also said to look out for a screening of ‘Practical Magic’, where attendees can bring their own crafts to work on during the showing, and the annual ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ experience, with a “shadow cast and prop bags” and plenty of audience interaction.

The Kenworthy stays alive in the Palouse community by having a space for events as well as sponsoring some and renting out the theatre.

“We provide a safe, engaging space where people can see or watch something that is alternative to what they might find elsewhere in the Palouse,” Mendenall said.

The Kenworthy operates as a nonprofit and tries to keep their prices affordable.

“We love being different and exposing audiences to new things,” Mendenall said. “So, you should visit if you want to broaden your horizons and experience something new and exciting.”

For the Best of Moscow Bands 2024, Desolation Horse won by a landslide. Desolation Horse is a local indie rock band created by Cooper Trail, a UI English major.

Trail grew up in Moscow in his early life, then he moved to Astoria, Oregon when he was 19 years old for five years. He later moved back to the Moscow area according to an interview with BLOT magazine in 2023.

Desolation horse has three albums out right now: “biff”, “Is Land”, and “Desolation Horse”.

In an interview with KUOI in 2023, Trail shared that the recorded versions of his music differ from the live performances due to the

amount of people involved in production.

He stated that the studio recorded versions of the music are more of a solo project, with the help of audio engineers to help layer music. The live performance versions of the music are performed by a steady group of four people that play all the different instruments. Due to the increased number of collaborators, he shared that now he writes and creates music that is harder to play by himself, but that the music is directed toward a live audience. The live band members for Desolation Horse include Cory Oglesby on the bass, Joe Marsh on the guitar, Bill Tracy on the drums, and Nevada Sowle as

the audio engineer.

Trail has stated that Simon and Garfunkel and Velvet Underground have been inspirations for the music that Desolation Horse creates. Also, Pacific Northwest-based bands such as The Shins, Death Cab Café, and Fleet Foxes are important to him. He enjoys writing music about traveling and partying with friends and has described the music he writes being in the “PostAmerican” genre.

Desolation Horse often performs around the PNW and will do live performances at John’s Alley here in Moscow. Their music can be streamed on Spotify. They also have several music videos available to watch on YouTube.

Victoria Kingsmore ARGONAUT
Richard Simmons | Argonaut Marquee advertising “Sherlock Jr”at the Kenworthy
“Post American” band created by UI student wins Best of Local Bands
Best of Bands
Connor Anderson | Argonaut Lead singer Cooper Trail performing at Finals Fest 2024
Connor Anderson | Argonaut Joe Marsh playing backup guitar at Finals Fest 2024

Best of Date Night Dining

The heart behind Lodgepole’s success

From farmers market to fine dining

There is no question why Lodgepole is known for its atmospheric setting and great food. It was voted the Best of Date Night Dining for a second year.

The owners and operators of Lodgepole are Marissa and Alex Barham and they opened the business together in 2015. Lodgepole is located at 106 N Main Street. Since then, it has grown and become a staple for Moscow residents.

The food is focused on Pacific Northwest cuisine with some Mexican influence.

“Pulling from special memories and family recipes is what gives our menu its unique perspective and heart,” Marissa Barham said. “Early on in our journey, we solidified that cooking with quality ingredients is on the top of our priorities, and the Palouse is a fantastic region to be in for just that.”

Lodgepole caters to all kinds of residents including students.

“It’s a special feeling to get to cook for families that are dropping off their kids at the start of college,

see them grow, and then years later help them celebrate graduation,” Marissa Barham said. “It’s gives a lot of meaning to the sense of place we strive to keep in our little home that is Lodgepole.”

Marissa Barham also notes the quality ingredients they have and how they spend hours prepping and making a welcoming environment for customers.

“Combine all that with a good glass of wine from our seasonally curated list, and I hope our guests are able to take a pause from the bustle that is life and just get to have a good time,” Marissa Barham said.

Before Lodgepole began, Marissa and Alex Barham had a stand at the Moscow Farmers Market where they sold different things, but they were mainly known for their pickled eggs. When they

Best of Tattoos and Body Piercings

made their first menu, they decided to add deviled pickled eggs as an homage to that time.

“My husband and I spend hours sharing ideas, talking through dishes, discussing the logistics behind building a composed menu, et cetera,” Marissa Barham said. “Those late-night brainstorm seshes are some of my favorite times.”

With the time, effort and

consideration put into at Lodgepole, it’s clear why it’s one of Moscow’s favorite fine-dining restaurants.

“Moscow is an incredibly special little nook in the inland northwest,” Marissa Barham said. “We’re surrounded by a genuine and caring community and we’re very thankful to those who’ve supported us this past decade.”

Ink with heart: Moscow Tattoo Company

Where ink needles and comfort meet

Nestled into the heart of Moscow, lies the Moscow Tattoo Company, located at 1404 S. Blaine St. This mom-and-pop tattoo shop features Matt Johnson, the owner of Moscow Tattoo Company.

Johnson explained how he opened the shop to give this quiet town a shop worth its namesake. He opened the shop in 2018.

“I didn’t want to bring into the shop everything that I thought was wrong and I wanted it to be a part of me and what I do, so being able to kind of build my shop after going through lots of lessons on what not to do,” Johnson said.

Customers were worried about Moscow Tattoo Company’s move and how they weren’t downtown anymore, according to Johnson. He sees this new location as a benefit because of the increase in parking and keeping expenses low.

“Being a business owner, there are always new trends, and all that is for me really is being able to come in and create cool things every day,” Johnson said.

Johnson elaborated on what customers should do before getting a tattoo.

“Get online and do your research. Also do not be afraid to look at artists around here,” Johnson said. “I am personally not afraid if there is something that I feel is like another shop would be a better fit for the piece. The tattoo community here is amazing, and I have become the old man here of tattoos.”

Moscow Tattoo company is absolutely a Moscow favorite and a must-visit.

Brodie Becker | Argonaut
People enjoying dinner at Lodgepole while a chef prepares food
Reagan Jones | Argonaut
The Moscow Tattoo Company logo displayed on their wall
John Keegan | Argonaut
Ian Ripley giving a client a tattoo at Moscow Tattoo Company

The arboretum creates a welcoming space for all

A communal site for peace and education for the Moscow community

There are numerous prominent outdoor activities and areas to explore in and around the Moscow area, but the arboretum, located on the south end of the UI campus, is one of the most popular areas for students and Moscow community members to enjoy.

The arboretum began when a group of professors at UI decided that there wasn’t enough plant diversity on campus and the university’s president at the time, Ernest Hartung, agreed. In 1982, the first tree was planted, and the arboretum was born.

The arboretum acts as a public secret garden that, despite its overwhelming popularity, has always offered refuge to those who seek easy access to a tranquil and cordial atmosphere.

From the side trails that meander around the 63-acre area, to the tranquil ponds that provide refuge for diverse communities of native wildlife, the arboretum is truly a haven for anyone looking for a short

wishing to learn more about the natural world with over 120 different species of trees, various aquatic environments and other habitats for rare and common flora alike.

Zach Showalter, a sophomore majoring in forestry said that the arboretum is his favorite place to be outside in Moscow because of the great atmosphere formed by the ponds, plants and wildlife.

Showalter enjoyed getting to witness the ecology of northern Idaho and the diverse wildlife that is present at the arboretum.

The arboretum is commonly used as a place for UI students to hangout when they need a break from school.

Catalina King, a freshman majoring in business, shared that she appreciates the arboretum because it provides a quiet and serene environment to read and lounge with friends.

With the arboretum being easily accessible on the southern end of campus, many students flock to its abundant space and rejuvenating environment to take an intermission

It isn’t just students that enjoy the Josie Williams, a Moscow community member, said she enjoyed

accessing the arboretum. The Moscow Transit system offers their West Side loop of Moscow that stops at the ISUB; from there, it is only a short walk to the southern end of campus to get to the arboretum.

The arboretum has something unique to offer to everyone in Moscow and its surrounding communities.

So, the next time that students or community members feel the need to escape, whether it’s from work, school or stress,

take a walk around the arboretum. The prominent 1.5-mile loop that encompasses that magical garden offers something special to everyone, acting as a space to relax and to learn something new. The arboretum is open yearround, so there is never a time that isn’t great to explore the area.

There is certainly some wisdom to be found in the arboretum that we can all share.

Maddox Durham ARGONAUT
Connor Anderson | Argonaut A bench sits beside a pond underneath fall trees
Connor Anderson | Argonaut
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Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.