The Newton is a neat complex at 3rd Avenue and Camelback that includes Southern Rail restaurant, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Southwest Gardener. Originally, the building housed Beef Eaters restaurant, which opened in 1961. Each spot has a unique personality. You can enjoy dinner and drinks, browse the bookstore, and find some unique gifts.
Southern Rail is the new restaurant from Chef Justin Beckett, who also owns Beckett’s Table. They just celebrated their first anniversary and this has become a wonderful gathering spot. The menu is inspired by food from the South, with fried chicken, red beans and rice, and “Grandma’s Meatloaf”. They are open Monday through Friday for lunch, every evening for dinner, and Saturday and Sunday for brunch. You have got to try the Bread Pudding French Toast with banana bourbon sauce, delicious!
Changing Hands Bookstore first opened in 1974 in a little space on 5th Street in Tempe and has come to be a community favorite. The newest location on Camelback has the First Draft Book Bar inside the store, where you can read a good book and enjoy wine, beer, coffee, and food. Changing Hands has some great books and gifts that you cannot find at other places.
Southwest Gardener celebrates the unique style of the Southwest. One-of-a kind and handcrafted items elevate the garden to high art. They have a variety of gardening tools, decor, books, and workshops that can help the novice or the pro.
– Judy {Concierge}
