Interesting Shops
These tiny stores are places you want to go when you're bored, looking for something a little unusual, and want to blow some cash, particularly on music or stuff for your room. Our first stop is AlBum's, a new and used music store. In addition to the usual new and used tapes and CD's, they also have a plethora of really old LP's really cheap (so call Mom and Dad and tell them to give you their old turntable) - by real cheap we mean $1.99 and up. You'll also find some really cool bootlegs ranging in price from $25 to $50.00 - mainly groups like Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam - and you can also request bootlegs from them if they don't have a particular one you're looking for in stock. They'll buy and trade your music, as well.
Another interesting store is Top It Off, a little shack that sells lightweight tops, dresses, and skirts. All of their stuff is pretty brightly colored, lots of patterns, and a bit pricey, with everything starting at $30.00. You might also want to know that about 80% of their stock is medium-sized and rayon. Then again, you might not care...
The FUTON Company, one of many stores on Highland that offers a 10% discount to WPI students, sells more than just futons. They have all sorts of cool clocks and other accessories for your room. They seem to like gargoyles an awful lot, too.
If you're looking for a card or a small gift for a special someone and you can't find just the right thing in our bookstore, you might try Paper Emporium. They carry several lines of cards, as well as an assortment of gift wrap and small gifts - good prices. Word of warning, though, they're closed on Sunday and Monday.
At first glance, Highland Collectibles might look like just another baseball card shop, but you might want to look again. Since it reopened in May of this year, this little shop has become increasingly more popular amongst WPI students. In addition to its normal baseball card wares, they sell Magic cards and a new game that has hit the area hard - The Star Trek Customizable Card Game. Because of student demand, they've also opened up a video rental section. While selection is limited because of the store's tiny size, they have most of the new and recent releases, as well as some older movies. Prices for overnight rental range from $1.50 for older films to $3.00 for new releases.
War of the Convenience Stores
There are two 24-hour convenience stores on Highland, but one is far better than the other. Honey Farms is located at the end of Boynton Street, just in front of Friendly's. The only real convenience there is that there are two ATM machines, a Bay Bank machine out front and a Shawmut machine (withdrawal only) inside. If you're looking to buy something, even if it's just a bottle of soda, we'd suggest you trek down to Store 24, also known as "the Sto."
Why? Their prices are much better. Check this out - a 2-liter bottle of soda (or pop, whatever) at Honey Farms can cost as much as $1.64 (Coke), but at "the Sto," you'll only pay $1.39. Now, you might be thinking, "Big deal, that's only $.15 difference," but it all adds up. You'll find lower prices on drinks, chips, and cigs at the Sto every time. Store 24 also stocks 31 flavors of Snapple and most flavors of Arizona Iced Tea and other drinks. To sum up, go the Sto.
So Much to Eat... So Little Time...
There are so many restaurants on Highland Street, it's hard to decide where to go. Most of them are Italian or Greek, but there are a couple exceptions, like The Sole Proprietor. The Sole is a pricey seafood restaurant, the kind of place you get your parents to treat you to or maybe the kind you take a date to, depending on your style. Lunches start at $6.99, and dinners range from $13.99 to $19.99 (and no, that doesn' t include drinks). Most of their menu is seafood, but they also offer steak and chicken. For those of you fortunate enough to have a kitchen, there's also a fish market adjacent to the restaurant, where you can buy fresh seafood to prepare yourself. One good thing - they take all major plastic.
The "best Mexican in Worcester" can be found at the Acapulco. Now, "the Puke-O," as some students call it, has somehow gotten a reputation around here for making everyone sick. We don't know how true this is, but their fried ice cream is second-to-none. They also have a soft-serve ice cream stand outside the restaurant, open through September. Their food is not incredibly spicy, but they do offer mild versions of their dishes to those who request them. Their prices are about average - not Taco Bell-cheap - and it's B.Y.O.B. for those of you who can. They also take all major cards.
Those of you from other regions of the country (or world, for that matter) may not be familiar with Friendly's, a northeast chain of ice cream restaurants. Besides all of their ice cream specials (including sundaes, cones, and milkshakes known as Fribbles) being excellent, their appetizers are pretty good. We recommend the mozzarella sticks and cheese quesadillas. The service there can be pretty slow at times (they're understaffed most of the time), so don't go there if you don't have an hour or so to kill.
The Bean Counter is a really unique "coffee bar" that kind of blends in with everything else on Highland. They sell gourmet coffee beans, espresso, cappuccino, and different flavors of coffee. In hot weather, their iced cappuccinos really hit the spot, especially when you add a flavor, like Creme de Menthe or Irish Cream. You may also want to try their desserts - they have 4 new ones each day - and chocolate covered espresso beans!
Now, on to the Italian and Greek places... the Bravo Cafe and Pizzeria describes itself as a "European Style Cafe-Restaurant." Dinners are $7.95 and up - the lasagna is excellent. Their Tuesday night special is All You Can Eat Pasta with salad bar and a cup of the soup du jour. The ambiance in the place is unique - there's a lot to look at inside, and you feel really at home.
Theo's is a popular hang-out spot (especially for the WPI police). The food is ok, the prices are ok, just don't expect too much. Someone described it as "kitchy," meaning it's like a diner, only they serve Italian and Greek. Their gyros (yee'-ros) are the best around, though. A gyro is a sandwich, consisting of lamb, beef, and pork strips, tomato, and a yogurt sauce rolled up in a thick pita - try one!
Tech Pizza is another popular spot with WPI students. Why? Probably because they're the only place that delivers for free (after 6PM). Tech is your run-of-the-mill pizza and sub place. Nothing really special about it, except that they have their menu on the World Wide Web - http://www.sidehack.gweep.net/techpizza.html.
The Boynton is a lot like Tech, except it also has a restaurant and bar adjacent to it. The pizza is ok, the grinders are pretty good, but the meals at the restaurant are better. If you are looking for a nice atmosphere and a sit-down meal, you want the restaurant side (to the left as you enter). For the pizza and beer, go to the right - you can't get pizza and grinders in the restaurant. They take most plastic, if not all, but they don't deliver.
If you're looking for the best, you want Boomer's Sub and Deli, located next to the Jim Dandy Laundromat. They have the best pizza, the best sandwiches, and the best pasta around. They also deliver, but it's not free unless you have a $15 minimum order after 5PM. Every Tuesday night, they have a Pizza Party Special - a small cheese for only $2.50. Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays.
End of Tour - Any Questions?
That's about it. If you are planning on taking a walk down, we recommend that you skip Sundays, as most places are closed or close early. Most of the stores close at 5 or 6PM, and most restaurants are open until 10PM.