Digital Division
515 Division
est. 1940
Built in 1940, this is the third-newest building included within the scope of this Digital Division project. Standing one story with a limestone face and stucco siding on the north end, this commercial structure replaced an earlier frame building in the same lot. It was originally home to Drozde’s Restaurant, one of several eateries on the east side of the 500 Block during the 40s, alongside Red’s Lunch Restaurant and the Gates Cafe. In 1960, as laundromats were growing ever more popular across the United States, Econ-O-Wash self service laundry opened up. This was the building’s longest lasting proprietor to date, as it appears to have stayed here for almost 40 years.
Cocoa Bean was a favorite downtown spot among many young Northfielders for years.
Another business at 515 Division that many Northfielders might find memorable is Cocoa Bean, the sweets and treats shop here in the 2000s and 2010s, a site of joy for many kids exploring downtown during its years here. Kinship now stands in the space, and has returned an industry to Northfield with it: tattoo artistry.