by Jason Keil | photography by Mileidi Perez
Miraculously, “the Mile” is in the midst of a renaissance. Stretching from SR-51 to 12th Street along East McDowell Road, it was the Valley’s first shopping district outside Downtown and thrived in the years following World War II, peaking at around 50 shops in the 1950s before experiencing a downturn in the mall-crazy ’70s and ’80s. The kilometer-long strip and its mid-century-modern storefronts have long seemed ripe for investment – and a recent wave of new businesses is revealing its potential.
3 PLACES TO EAT
Froth Coffee Roasters
This local coffee shop offers delicious perks for java lovers, including pastries from Noble Bakery and sandwiches available for pickup in its convenient drive-thru. But it’s what’s inside that sets it apart: a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere.
1447 E. McDowell Rd. | 602-829-0376 | frothcoffeeroasters.com
Wilderness Miracle Mile
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. relocated production from its Gilbert location to this refurbished building, which once housed the Stardust Tavern. Grab a sandwich or burger from the neighborhood-inspired menu and sip a pint of the pub’s flagship brew, the aptly named Miracle Mild.
1418 E. McDowell Rd. | 480-582-0580 | azwbeer.com
Restaurante el Guanaquito
Walk through the kitchen of this delightful eatery and take in the smells of homemade food from El Salvador. We recommend fried plantains and Guanaquito’s phenomenal specialty, pupusas – Salvadoran flatbreads stuffed with savory fillings.
1438 E. McDowell Rd. | 602-257-9053 | restauranteelguanaquito.net
3 THINGS TO DO
Jungle Box
With an expansive inventory of rare and exotic plants, it truly is a jungle in this one-of-a-kind botanical store. You can also find cleverly designed pots and take a workshop on building the perfect habitat for your pet amphibian in the Bamboo Room.
1735 E. McDowell Rd. | 602-799-9796 | jungleboxaz.com
Eyeconic Arizona Souvenir Shop
If you’re looking for merch to rep the 48th state, you can find just about everything here. This shop boasts an extensive array of Arizona-themed products, including thimbles, Cactus Candy, coffee mugs, T-shirts and Indigenous jewelry.
1749 E. McDowell Rd. | 602-688-4023 | azsouvenirshop.com
ShapeShifter
Jonathan Schreiber-Carroll, the founder and curator of this vintage furniture store, inherited his love for minimalism from his grandfather, local architect Arthur Henry Schreiber. His inventory is affordable, too, consisting of mid-century modern originals and replicas that look great in any home.
1635 E. McDowell Rd. | 480-699-8070 | shapeshifterphx.com
OVERNIGHT OPTION
FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel
Located about a mile west of Miracle Mile is this boutique hotel with loft-like rooms that feel like a contemporary art gallery. Even the room numbers sport custom designs.
1100 N. Central Ave. | 602-875-8000 | foundrehotels.com
PHOTO OP
“Cultura” by GraffAholeks Crew
The theme: roses, both the flowers and the color of the glasses worn by the subject of this eye-popping mural.
1612 N. 16th St. | instagram.com/graffaholekscrew
