You know about Ted's, just into Tosa, on 62nd and North, and you know about McBob's on 49th and North. But lately, it seems more and more things are popping up around them.

In the old Shiraz space, Juniper 61 -- the new restaurant from the folks that brought Bay View Lulu's restaurant and bar -- opened last week at 6030 W. North Ave.

Not long before that, Re-booked -- a new and used bookshop -- arrived at 5924 W. North Ave. Next door is an Asian restaurant that seems to have finally taken hold in a place that has been home to a number of false starts in recent years.

Way down on the other end, lording over the Highway 41 southbound on ramp is A Taste of Art, a coffee shop and art gallery that sometimes hosts live music, opened in February after long delays. Although it's located at 4701 W. Lisbon, it's only steps off North.

In between, of course, is McBob's, 4919 W. North Ave., a fab tavern with great Irish music and beloved fish fry and Irish breakfast.

There's also Samara Studios, which opened in May at 5211 W. North Ave., which sells art, distinctive garden items, vintage Victorian clothing and more.

There are a string of other restaurants, ethnic groceries and other interesting shops along this stretch of North Avenue that many Milwaukeeans might neglect. Take a drive down and see what you find.