The next time you’re at Ryan Field for a football or basketball game, take a look at the shops farther down Central Street, west of the stadium.

The first couple of blocks aren’t of much interest unless spending the day in a bank or home design store is your thing. But if you keep walking, you’ll find more interesting sights.

While the stores on Central Street aren’t as big and there aren’t as many as at Old Orchard or the downtown area, they make an excursion there worthwhile, even if it’s just for a one-time trip. The small retail area is about a 30-minute walk from South Campus. Because it was raining the afternoon I visited, the walk wasn’t particularly pleasant. However, on a sunny day it wouldn’t be bad, and during the week you can take the Ryan Field shuttle from campus.

Stella, 2116 Central St., offered a variety of unique gifts and clothing. I liked the flower-shaped votive candleholders and sparkly, embellished picture frames. Stella was a little pricey and probably geared toward middle-aged women, but a college girl shopping for a friend’s birthday or for Mother’s Day could still find an appropriate trinket. Most of the clothes were a little too mature for me but they did have some cute lacy tank tops an 18-year-old could wear.

For the music enthusiast, Hi-Fi Records, 2601 Prairie Ave., had a decent selection of new and used CDs, posters, buttons and other memorabilia. Many of the CDs were by one-hit wonders and failed boy and girl bands, but if you’re willing to do a little digging you might find something you like. The store especially featured artists from the ’80s and ’90s.

I also encountered several albums by artists I didn’t recognize. If you’re up for a gamble, you could probably afford to give one of the more obscure bands a try because the used CDs were mostly just $2 or $3 apiece.

If you’re in the mood for a snack, you might try Great Harvest Bread Co., 2126 Central St. It’s at the very end of the row of shops and not for the carb-conscious, but anyone with a sweet tooth should try it out. If I hadn’t just eaten breakfast, I would have tried one of their giant cinnamon-chip scones. The bakery also sold freshly baked bread, packaged cookies, cinnamon rolls and, for the culinarily-inclined, bake-it-yourself mixes.

If a pastry just won’t cut it, I thought Prairie Joe’s, 1921 Central St., looked like an interesting place to dine. The walls were covered in vintage-style decor and the menu featured a variety of options – from egg sandwiches to quesadillas – for under $10. If you’re interested in something a little more upscale, Jacky’s Bistro, 2545 Prairie Ave., offered expensive French-style cuisine – most entrees were at least $20.

On a nice day, the grassy areas at Independence Park, across the street from Great Harvest, would be a pleasant place to enjoy the sunshine. However, children are probably drawn to the park’s large playground, and if you’re not fond of the younger crowd, it would not be a good bet.

Even thought it was cold and drizzly when I visited on Saturday afternoon, there were plenty of people of all ages exploring Central Street with umbrellas in hand.

While I probably wouldn’t make a special trip out there, it’s worth a look before or after a football or basketball game. It’s a nice change of pace from downtown and if nothing else, a good window-shopping and browsing destination.

Reach Annie Martin at [email protected].