Story by Ali Costellow
Photos by Julia Buntyn
Photo Illustrations by Madelyn Wilder
After another subdued trip to Greenwood Mall or just another night boring on campus, it can feel like there aren’t many places to go in Bowling Green.
Whether they’re hidden in plain sight in Fountain Square Park or off the beaten path and outside city limits, local gems are all around if you know where to look.
Next time you venture beyond campus, check out these five locally-owned Bowling Green businesses.
Becky Brooks Vintage
Becky Brooks Vintage is a must-stop shop for anyone into vintage fashion.
Inventory ranges across decades and styles, from over-the-top holiday sweaters fit for fabulous grannies to chic Penny Lane fur coats for the average Fleetwood Mac enthusiast. An exquisite vest I bought there two years ago still gets compliments every time I wear it. Becky Brooks Vintage also sells jewelry, accessories, knickknacks and decor, including purses, brooches, hats and wall art.
Two other local vintage clothes shops, MK Ultra Vintage and Starry Eyed Seraphine, sell items inside as well, offering customers several ways to support vintage fashion in one place. The location is the cherry on top, in the middle of Fountain Square Park, inside the historic Princess Theatre.
Becky Brooks Vintage is located at 432 E Main Avenue, open Wednesday through Sunday. They also sell on Etsy.
Candle Makers on the Square
If you want your home to have the aroma of Jackson’s Orchard, Candle Makers on the Square can make it happen.
The store sells many locally-themed candles, including selections of “Fifth Street Diner,” “Kentucky Bourbon,” and of course, “Jackson’s Orchard.” The candles are made in-house, and customers can even pour their own scented candles to bring a little bit of Bowling Green to their home. They also offer more general scents, such as “Vanilla Bean” and “Beach Linen.”
However, Candle Makers on the Square doesn’t just sell candles. The store hosts over 60 unique local vendors selling art, jewelry, food, clothes, decor and more, many of which boast Bowling Green landmarks and logos. It’s a great place to find a gift for someone you love or just splurge on yourself.
Candle Makers on the Square is located at 415 Park Row, open Monday to Saturday. They also sell online.
Chaney’s Dairy Barn
Though it’s a little way from campus, Chaney’s Dairy Barn is well worth the drive and holds a special place in my heart.
Chaney’s is most known for its rich and uniquely-flavored ice cream, including favorites like “Blue Moon,” “Wow Now Brownie Cow” and “Big Red Rumble.” They also sell “Moo Pies,” a giant cookie in a skillet with ice cream on top, various lunch and dinner meals and their own milk, which is used to make Spencer’s Coffee. No matter what you get, it’ll be top-notch.
With my elementary school just down the road from Chaney’s, I grew up playing on the playground and attending seasonal events, such as “Ice Cream and a Moovie” in the summer and a corn maze in the fall, which I still make sure to attend every year.
Chaney’s Dairy Barn is located at 9191 Nashville Road and is open Monday to Sunday.
Capitol Books
One of my favorite smells in the world is old books, which can be found at Capitol Books. This business sells gently used books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles and games.
While physical media lovers may just be tempted to go to the Half Price Books Outlet, which is awesome, don’t get me wrong, shopping at Capitol Books supports the Warren County Public Library.
Friends of the Library, a nonprofit volunteer group dedicated to supporting WCPL, operates the store, providing funding to the local library. The group also hosts an annual used book sale at the WCPL in the fall. WCPL has several branches around town, hosts events and offers services including poster printing. You can’t go wrong supporting local media.
Capitol Books is located inside The Capitol at 416 E Main Avenue, open Monday to Friday and on Facebook.
Riley’s Bakery
Riley’s Bakery is just the place to go when you’re in need of a sweet treat.
The sweet, sugary smell wafts as you gaze at the array of baked goods awaiting purchase, ranging from various cookies and cakes to sandwiches and breads. My go-to is always an angel food cake square dipped in chocolate.
Riley’s Bakery is treasured locally for its Hungarian Coffee Cakes, rich in doughy cinnamon flavor, as well as their tiny shortbread sugar tea cookies. They also make custom cakes, perfect for any birthday or milestone worth celebrating. Many of my childhood desserts were from Riley’s Bakery, “Happy Birthday Ali” written in pale pink icing on scrumptious vanilla cakes.
Riley’s Bakery is located at 819 U.S. 31 W Bypass and is open Monday through Saturday.
