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Readers
Pick
Best College Mascot LOUIE THE LAKER can be seen randomly walking around the Grand Valley State University campus when events are happening and, of course, he’s a fixture at Lakers football games. It’s rumored Louie sleeps on the Lakers’ 50-yardline and dreams of football. The Lakers name came about in the mid-’60s when Grand Valley State College was looking for an official mascot. At the time, Grand Valley’s teams were unofficially known as the Bruisers because of their blue, black and white color scheme. T he public submitted names including Warriors, Bluejays, Ottawas, Archers and Voyagers. But after a seven-hour discussion, students voted for a last-minute write-in candidate: Lakers. Louie the Laker’s appearance is loosely based on Louis VanT ressel, a fallen oiler aboard the legendary S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.
CIGAR SHOP The Best: Tuttle’s Select Cigars & Tobaccos Other favorites: Buffalo obacco Traders Grand River Cigar
BOOKSTORE The Best: Schuler Books & Music Other favorites: Baker Book House Argos Book Shop
COFFEESHOP The Best: Biggby Coffe Other favorites: MadCap Coffee Co Kava House
BREWERY The Best: Founders Brewing Co. Other favorites: Perrin Brewing Co. Brewery Vivant
CREDIT UNION The Best: Lake Michigan Credit Union Other favorites: Option 1 Credit Union DFCU Financial
BOUTIQUE GROCER The Best: G.B. Russo & Son Other favorites: Martha’s Vineyard Kingma’s Market
DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT The Best: Grove Other favorites: Leo’s The Chop House
BRUNCH SPOT The Best: Charley’s Crab Other favorites: Cherie Inn Anna’s House
DINER The Best: Pal’s Diner Other favorites: Real Food Café The Grand Coney
BUTCHER SHOP The Best: Sobie Meats Other favorites: Kingma’s Market Bob’s Butcher Block
DRY CLEANER The Best: Sheldon Cleaners Other favorites: Afendoulis Cleaners & Tuxedos Curtis Cleaners
CAR WASH The Best: Southland Auto Wash Other favorites: Waterworks Car Wash Cascade Car Wash
FARMERS MARKET The Best: Fulton Street Farmers Market Other favorites: Downtown Market Rockford Farmers Market
CHILDCARE PROVIDER The Best: The Goddard School Other favorites: YMCA AppleTree Learning Centers CHIROPRACTIC CENTER The Best: iChiro Clinics Other favorites: Discovery Chiropractic & Soft Tissue Clinic Harrison Chiropractic Center
FLORIST SHOP The Best: Eastern Floral Other favorites: Kennedy’s Flower Shop Daylily Floral and Gifts FROYO SHOP The Best: Spoonlickers Other favorites: The Pump House Sweet Yo’s
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
BIKE SHOP The Best: Ada Bike Shop Other favorites: Village Bike & Fitness Freewheeler Bike Shop
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