Whether you’re out shopping for a book or enjoying a leisurely stroll, it’s common to cross paths with Liz and Quincy Zikmund and their pugs, Otis and Newt. The owners of Give A Dog A Bone share some of their favorite local activities and amenities.
What are the best things about living here?
Quincy: Community, convenience, and the relative affordability. It’s pretty convenient to get anywhere in town quickly. Plus you can get to a number of bigger cities in either direction in just a few hours for a day trip or weekend away. And while affordability is tough for many these days, even in Evansville, our city does still seem to generally fare better than a lot of others when it comes to cost of living.
If someone were unfamiliar with Evansville, what would you want them to know?
Quincy: There’s more to Evansville than one might think. At first glance we may look like a town that has little more to offer than chain restaurants and big-box stores. But every “side” of town really is full of delicious local food options, shops, and small businesses worth exploring.
How do you describe the River City?
Quincy: Evansville has a lot of history that’s quite fascinating. I would tell someone that our city lives in the tension of remembering the past and preserving what’s good from it while also progressing. Sometimes progress comes slower than we might want, but it does, in fact, come. We certainly don’t give up.
What are some cool under-the-radar places or ways to hang out and have fun?
Elizabeth: An ideal day for us involves grabbing coffee at River City Coffee + Goods (hopefully with a doughnut pop-up from Tori Chapman’s Vegan Eats & Treats), picking up a new book from Bluestocking Social, lunch at The Granola Jar, taking a stroll through some of the antique and thrift shops, a vegan pizza for dinner at Pangea Kitchen or Spanky’s, then arcade games and non-alcoholic beverages at Arcademie with friends. If it’s not obvious, fun for us always involves lots of tasty food and drinks. If you’re into live music, Bokeh Lounge is a great place for jazz. If you’re into punk, hardcore, and metal, our good friends at Evansville Shows have been putting on excellent shows at Damsel’s Brew Pub. For shopping, we love Emerald Design on Main Street for houseplants and flowers, Sixth & Zero for soap and bulk dry foods, and Memo for stationery, greeting cards, and seasonal decor. Emerald also puts on really fun classes for things like bouquet arranging and more, and our friends at Bluestocking Social put on art classes. Both are great ways to dip your toes into a new hobby or craft.
You’re devoted pet parents. What amenities make this a great city to live with your pet?
Elizabeth: We love how many businesses are pet-friendly these days. Barker’s Brewhouse and Myriad Brewing Company are two great examples. There’s Kay C’s Barkville for those looking a for a nice and clean dog park, our city parks for on-leash walking, Canine Aquatic Center for aquatic therapy and exercise, and lots of great events for pet parents throughout the year that support our many local animal rescues such as PAAWS, It Takes a Village, Vanderburgh Humane Society, and others.
Answers edited for clarity and length by Jodi Keen
