BEST OF THE HILL
Cherry Creative
2
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Thank you for sharing your local favorites. From a young age, everyone probably asked you about your favorites. They’d ask your favorite color, sport or ice cream flavor. While you may have grown up, we still care about your favorites. Except now we want to know things like the best bar and the best place to cry on campus. Your favorites are worth sharing because they could become a new favorite for someone else, too. The WKU community has voted, and your favorites are in! Community favorites often become icons of a city, like Spencer’s Coffee or Jackson’s Orchard. I hope you enjoy exploring the Best of the Hill. I’d encourage you, if you spot a restaurant you haven’t tried or a bathroom you’ve never been in, make an effort to try it out. Because you never know, you may just find a new favorite. Best, Nicole Childress Creative Director
3
BEST OF THE HILL
Nicole Childress Creative Director
Ryan Goodlett
2019 Winners
Writing Director
BEST LOCAL BAR
Grace Pritchett
Multimedia Director
BEST LATE NIGHT MUNCHIES SPOT
1st
Hilligan’s
1st
Cookout
Art Director
2nd
Hideout
2nd
GADS
Sam Oldenburg
3rd
Dublin’s Irish Pub
3rd
Taco Bell
Craig Ostertag
Adviser
Andrew Lee
Advertising Manager
Will Hoagland
MO M
Advertising Adviser Cherry Creative is a division of WKU Student Publications that helps clients reach the WKU community through the College Heights Herald and the Talisman. If you are interested in partnering with Cherry Creative, please email us at cherrycreativewku@gmail.com. We would love to help tell your story. (Cover photos by Grace Pritchett and Lauren Pestoff)
BEST TATTOO SHOP
BEST BURGER JOINT
1st
Carter’s Tattoo Co.
1st
Double Dogs
2nd
Age of Reason Tattoo
2nd
Five Guys
3rd
Topper’s Fine Line Tattoo
3rd (Tie)
White Squirrel & Hideout
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1st
Steel Mill & Co.
1st
El Mazatlan
2nd
Back Down South
2nd
Que Buenos
3rd
The Pink Lily
3rd
Puerto Vallarta
thank you Looking for a place for the fall? Call or come by today for current specials.
to EXTRA LARGE UNITS
Large bedrooms and living spaces with Ashley Home Furniture packages available to help make your space feel like home
bedrooms available
AMAZING AMENITIES Rooftop Pool & Fitness Center, Study Center, Outdoor Grills, Resident Events & More!
STEPS FROM CAMPUS Live just steps from campus as well as shopping, local markets and restaurants. 1 to 6 bedroom apartments available.
270-368-1482 · MidtownBG.com · 1313 Center Street, Bowling Green, KY •
5
BEST OF THE HILL
BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
BEST PIZZA PLACE
BEST LUNCH SPOT
BEST YOGA STUDIO 1st
Hot Yoga Bowling Green
1st
Griff’s Deli
1st
Mellow Mushroom
1st
SKyPAC
2nd
Preston Center
2nd
Home Cafe
2nd
Blaze
2nd
Tidball’s
3rd
The Spot
3rd
India Oven
3rd
Donato’s
3rd
The A-Frame
$
BEST SECOND HAND CLOTHING STORE
1st
Goodwill
1st
Shogun
1st
Montana Grill
1st
Red Barn Liquors
2nd
Beverly Hills Bargain Boutique
2nd
Mariah’s
2nd
2nd
Liquor Barn
3rd
Steamers Southern Seafood Kitchen
Steamer Southern Seafood Kitchen Hickory & Oak
3rd
3rd
Shenanigans Wine and Spirits
3rd
St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store
BEST DATE SPOT
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US
$
BEST PLACE FOR YOUR PARENTS TO TAKE YOU
BEST PLACE FOR PIZZA AGAIN!
BEST LIQUOR STORE
Bowling Green, KY 1035 Chestnut St (270) 393-1800 www.mellowmushroom.com
6
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
SPONSORED CONTENT
Spencer’s Coffee: Brewing strong connections BEST COFFEE SHOP Story by Ryan Goodlett & Sam Chumbley
“Let’s go to Spencer’s” has become a colloquial phrase among college students, professors and members of the Bowling Green community alike, making it no surprise that it was once again voted “Best of the Hill.” The beloved coffee shop has sat nestled in Bowling Green’s downtown for 18 years. Spencer’s was started by a WKU art professor who saw the need for a local coffee shop near campus. The original owner blended his love for coffee with his love for art by displaying the work of local artists on the brick walls of the shop.
Senior Mary Morgan Green from Leeds, Ala. studies at Spencer’s on a Saturday. “Here I can be around others, so I’m not alone, but I can still focus and get a lot done,” Green said.
The current owner, former WKU student Justin Shepherd, bought Spencer’s in 2005 with the goal of creating a space for people to find a bright spot in their day. “I was a customer before I owned the place, and that is what it was for me,” Shepherd said. “I saw potential to build on that and to provide a chill place for people to escape.”
Over the years, Shepherd has watched Spencer’s grow from a hub for business people working downtown, to a community staple for people of all walks of life. “It’s always been about making a space where people can walk in,” Shepherd said. “Giving them a place to celebrate or meet up with friends … like a modern-day pub.” Shepherd has succeeded in giving the community just that. Spencer’s is not just a place to study: It is a place that inspires deep conversation, provides quality products and service and breaks down stereotypes. “Coffee shops are sometimes portrayed as this snoody, hipster sort of thing,” Shepherd said. “We’re not into that. The space is what the customers make it; we just go along for the ride with them and stick to our values.” Jacob and Rachel Roy are WKU alumni who have been married for eight months and had their first date at Spencer’s. They valued the quality time they spent together at the local shop while dating. “We had so many conversations together across those wooden tables,” Rachel Roy said. “From fears and dreams, to family and backgrounds, to our faith and friendships.” While playing board games with friends, they grew close to fellow customers, baristas and kitchen workers as well, she said. “We always felt so special and thought it was sweet that the workers would remember our order: a small Front Porch Blend with absolutely no room and a small iced vanilla latte,” Rachel Roy said. During the couple’s junior year at WKU, Jacob took Rachel on a stroll through Fountain Square Park, where
Spencer’s Coffee Shop is the only place in Bowling Green where patrons can come to get latte art. Cody Crume is one of the baristas. “I love it. It takes a lot of practice because there are a lot of steps. It’s more than just pouring foam. You have to get everything right and pay attention,” Crume said. (Photos by Lauren Pestoff)
he gave her a note reflecting on many of the important conversations they had shared at Spencer’s. “He then proposed right there on the square, and of course, after tears and hugs, we went straight to Spencer’s and ordered our norm,” Rachel Roy said. “I did the cliche thing of having them write ‘future Mrs. Roy’ on the cup, which we still have. I found out later that he wrote that note in Spencer’s as well.” Mount Sterling junior Grace Johnson also recalls having important conversations inside Spencer’s while sipping her favorite drink, an iced vanilla latte. One of those conversations led her to make the decision to run for president of her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. “I had one of those conversations where you’re not sure how it was brought up, but by the end of it you’ve said everything on your mind,” Johnson said. “Without that conversation, I’m not sure I would
have had the confidence to try to do something I really wanted to do.” Louisville senior Janae Wellum has also made several big decisions within the walls of Spencer’s. After a challenging freshman year at a different university, she visited Bowling Green where her brother was in school at WKU. “I made the decision to transfer to WKU with my mom in Spencer’s,” Wellum said. Not long after that decision, WKU gave Wellum the opportunity to study abroad at Harlaxton, an opportunity she chose to accept while talking to friends about it in Spencer’s. “Spencer’s has made a really awesome environment to cultivate deep, life-changing conversations,” Wellum said. Wellum described Spencer’s as a refuge and a community. “It’s the heart of Bowling Green, and it’s the heart of WKU and its people,” she said.
7
BEST OF THE HILL
BEST BARBECUE 1st
Smokey Pig Bar-B-Que
2nd
Smokey Bones
3rd
Whitt’s Barbecue
SPONSORED CONTENT
Nat’s Outdoor Sports:
A staple for outdoor adventure
BEST DESSERT 1st
Chaney’s Dairy Barn
2nd
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
3rd
PopWorks Nat’s Outdoor Sports is a staple in Bowling Green for those who love being outside. The store carries name brand, top-of-the-line gear, such as Patagonia, Chaco and Eno. (Submitted photo)
BEST HAIR SALON 1st
Tanglez Hair Studio
2nd
The Finery
3rd
Friendz Salon
BEST PLACE TO BREAK UP WITH SOMEONE 1st
The bottom of the Colonnade (so they can’t push you down the steps)
2nd
Cravens Library (so they can’t yell at you)
3rd
The bus (so you can get off at the next stop)
BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR GEAR Story by Chloe Benningfield
What started as a small bike shop has grown into a quintessential part of the Bowling Green community. Nat Love first opened the L&M Bookstore in 1971. Two years later, he added a bike shop that would become known as Nat’s Outdoor Sports. Lisa Martens, Love’s daughter, now owns and runs the store with a team of employees who are passionate about sports, the outdoors and helping
customers find exactly what they need for their next outdoor adventure. Whether you are running a marathon or hiking up the Hill to class, Nat’s provides high-quality sportswear and gear, including popular brands like Patagonia, Chaco, Eno, Birkenstock and Yeti. With spring just around the corner, Nat’s has you covered with camping, hiking and biking gear. “We have always been focused on staying local,” Martens said. Nat’s care for customers goes far beyond the confines of the store, as the store provides support for many athletic events and community organizations in Bowling Green.
1121 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Green, KY
www.natsoutdoor.com
8
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
SPONSORED CONTENT
WKU Store:
Undoubtedly unmatchable BEST PLACE FOR WKU GEAR Story by Abbey Norvell
The volume and variety of WKU gear available at the WKU Store are what set it apart from its competitors — and why it remains the best place to buy WKU gear. The variety in the WKU Store starts with different brands of gear. “We have anything from the higher-end workout gear that’s Nike brand, all the way to basic T-shirts that are Russell,” marketing coordinator Sarah Sears said. “Part of that variety is that the price point really varies too, but of course the quality is good for everything.”
The quality of the WKU Store apparel is arguably the best, among all the brands and designs. “I really like everything I’ve bought at the WKU Store," Corbin freshman Bailee O’Neill said. "It’s super cute and has lasted for months without any issues." Collaboration plays a big role in the success of the WKU Store as well, Sears said. “Because we work so closely with departments on campus, such as Athletics, we are always able to come out with timely merchandise that coincides with particular games or celebrates 100 seasons of WKU football, basketball and now baseball,” she said. That collaboration produces unique WKU gear that cannot be found at other stores and adds to the store’s variety. “We have a good blend of throwback vintage marks and also the newer ones too,” Sears said. With variation comes volume, which the WKU Store has in multiple ways. “We have the space here to really cover a variety of categories that most of our competitors don’t really have,” Sears said. The WKU Store is larger than other physical locations in Bowling Green that sell WKU gear. It’s also devoted to WKU, so there’s not just a small section of WKU gear mixed in with apparel from other colleges like you would find at other stores. The WKU Store has anything from white squirrel Comfort Colors shirts, to WKU notebooks, to replica basketball jerseys, to red towel coffee mugs. The WKU Store also hosts separate sections of WKU gear for women, men
The WKU Store continues to sell a line of items with a white squirrel design, and the white squirrel hat is one of the store's most popular items. The WKU Store is one of the few retailers who are licensed to carry merchandise with logos released from the College Vault like the retro gray tee featured in the photo above. The "WK" is one of the vintage logos that was used by the WKU Baseball team in the '70s. (Photos by Phoebe Alcala)
and children, making it the perfect place to find a gameday outfit for one person or the whole family. When it comes to style, the store’s apparel buyer works closely with College Licensing, vendors and designers to serve Bowling Green the latest apparel trends. “We market to the fan population
with game gear,” Sears said. “We are always going to have game gear, but then we are also going to look at what’s trending, like Comfort Colors in ladies’ fashion.” The WKU Store continues to provide Bowling Green with volume, variety and quality, making it the best place to visit for all your WKU gear needs.
9
BEST OF THE HILL
BEST NPHC FRATERNITY
BEST IFC FRATERNITY 1st
Pi Kappa Alpha
1st
Alpha Phi Alpha
2nd
Phi Gamma Delta
2nd
Omega Psi Phi
3rd
Sigma Phi Epsilon
3rd
Phi Beta Sigma
BEST PANHELLENIC SORORITY Chi Omega
1st
Alpha Kappa Alpha
2nd
Alpha Delta Pi
2nd
Delta Sigma Theta
3rd
Alpha Omicron Pi
3rd
Zeta Phi Beta
BEST NONGREEK ORGANIZATION
BEST ACADEMIC COLLEGE 2nd 3rd
Potter College of Arts and Letters
College of Health and Human Services
Wild Eggs: An egg-cellent menu
BEST NPHC SORORITY
1st
1st
SPONSORED CONTENT
1st
Kaois Dance Team
2nd
Christian Student Fellowship Student Government Association
3rd
Gordon Ford College of Business
The “Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict” is one of Wild Eggs’ most popular menu items. (Photo by Phoebe Alcala)
BEST BREAKFAST Story by Sydney Jones
From the bright decor to the cheery staff, you’ll feel right at home as you dine at Wild Eggs on Campbell Lane. The restaurant is spotless and sports warm orange and happy yellow hues on its walls. Owner Angela Reeves, a Bowling Green native and alumna of WKU, has put her heart and soul into every aspect of the restaurant. Celebrating its fifth year, Wild Eggs has everything you need to enjoy breakfast, lunch or brunch. Guests can enjoy one of their
BEST PROFESSOR
BEST ONCAMPUS MEAL
many excellent gourmet items, like the popular “Mr. Potato Head Casserole” which is a hashbrown casserole topped with sausage, tomatoes, onions, poblano peppers, mushrooms, queso and an egg your way. Or you could indulge in Reeves’ favorite, the “Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict,” which she describes as a spicy twist to the traditional benedict. “The flavors of everything go together so well,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who didn’t like it!” Wild Eggs is also stocked with a full coffee and espresso bar, giving you various ways to put a little pep in your step and WiFi so you can work throughout the day.
BEST RESIDENCE HALL
BEST WKU SPORTS TEAM
1st
Chick-fil-A
1st
Timothy Straubel
1st
Hilltopper Hall
1st
Men’s Basketball
2nd
Panda Express
2nd
Marko Dumancic
2nd
Meredith Hall
2nd
Volleyball
3rd
Red Zone
3rd
Kelley Coppinger
3rd
Kentucky St. Apartments
3rd
Baseball
WKU HOUSING FAIR WKUAPARTMENTS.COM
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 11am - 3pm Downing Student Union Get your questions answered with representatives from Bowling Green apartment complexes, Housing and Residence Life and Bowling Green Municipal Utilities.
Premium Vendors
11
BEST OF THE HILL
BEST PLACE TO TAKE TOURISTS
BEST STUDY SPOT ON CAMPUS
BEST MECHANIC
BEST HAPPY HOUR PRICES
1st
Helm/Cravens Library
1st
Jackson’s Orchard
1st
Sonic
1st
B&B Tire
2nd
Downing Student Union
2nd
Lost River Cave
2nd
Hilligan’s
2nd
3rd
Ogden College Hall
3rd
Corvette Musuem
3rd
Shogun
Firestone Complete Auto Care Sam’s Auto
1st 2nd 3rd
Cheetah Clean Auto Wash WaterWorks Campbell Lane Express
BEST INSTAWORTHY SPOT
BEST PLACE TO ESCAPE
BEST CAR WASH
3rd
BEST PLACE TO EAT HEALTHY
1st
Target
1st
Van Meter Overlook
1st
2nd
Humane Society
2nd
The Kissing Bridge
2nd
Top of the Hill Nutrition
3rd
Downtown Starbucks
3rd
Colonnade
3rd
Saladworks
BEST PLACE TO CRY ON CAMPUS
Panera Bread
BEST OFFCAMPUS APARTMENTS
1st
9th floor of Cravens
1st
Midtown
2nd
Tunnel under Van Meter
2nd
Walk2Campus
3rd
The basement of Cherry Hall
3rd
The Registry
BEST PLACE FOR CRAFT BEER
BEST BATHROOM ON CAMPUS
1st
White Squirrel
1st
Augenstein Alumni Center
2nd
643 Sports Bar & Grill
2nd
Bottom floor of DSU
3rd
Mellow Mushroom
3rd
Honors College
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
Best Yoga?
...that’s what you said!
Thank you for voting us the BEST place for yoga once again! We appreciate our WKU family!
Co l
The 2018-2019 Topperettes Dance Team at Hot Yoga Bowling Green! le
ge
h e ig
h t s He
ra
As a THANK YOU SPECIAL , mention this and receive e
ld
HIll e
e Vo t
u n it y
Best of th
ee
n
on
Co
d by
mm
2019
th
r e Bo w l i n g G
1
WEEK FOR
UNLIMITED HOT YOGA
1
$
Limit 1 person. Offer expires March 31st.
h o t y o g a b g . c o m | 7 3 0 Fa i r v i e w Av e n u e , C - 2 | P : 2 7 0 - 7 9 3 - 0 0 1 7