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TABLE OF CONTENTS eat best... 3 ...bang for your buck
PLAY best... 10 ...uptown bar
3 ...breakfast location
10 ...sports bar
4 ...burrito
11 ...downtown bar
4 ...drunk food
11 ...drinking game
4 ...wings
11 ...sex position
5 ...date restaurant
11 ...place to find a hook-up
6 ...sandwich
11 ...place to hook up in public
7 ...local coffee shop
11 ...drink special
7 ...frozen dessert
12 ...place to bust a move
8 ...burger
12 ...liquor store
8 ...asian cuisine
13 ...movie theater
9 ...pizza
14 ...live entertainment venue 14 ...live music
live
+ ...late night transportation
best... 15 ...place to study on campus ...customer service for... 16 ...large apartments
shop best... 21 ...“I’M Sorry” store
16 ...medium apartments
22 ...organic grocery store
18 ...SMALL apartments
22 ...tanning salon
19 ...place to work out
22 ...specialty shop
20 ...hotel
23 ...tattoo/piercing salon
+ ...place to live
24 ...resale shop
+ ...social fraternity
24 ...local book buys/returns
+ ...social sorority
+ ...auto care + ...hair salon + ...grocery store
+ story can be found online at videtteonline.com/bestof
01
letters from the editors supplement editor
ad production manager
Putting together a supplement guide is never easy, and each year, the Best Of supplement always requires a lot of work. Between promoting the survey that our staff puts together, figuring out exactly which companies won, and providing much more content than the other supplement guides, it’s a process. However, it’s a rewarding one. Each staff member puts in his or her all, and we come together because we wouldn’t be here without the support of the Bloomington-Normal area. We understand how hard each business and organization works, even though not all can be featured in this guide. My favorite part is hearing and seeing how happy all the companies are when they learn that they won. Although students come and go throughout the years, one of the greatest parts of the Bloomington-Normal area is the amount of businesses that continually support Illinois State. As a student, I know that my life would have been infinitely more difficult here without these companies. But more than that, I know that I can call Bloomington-Normal home, and I will miss that come May. There is no other place I would rather have spent these past four years, and the businesses on these pages contributed greatly to that.
The cover of The Best _____ of Bloomington-Normal is one that, even after exploring multiple times, appears to be nothing more than beautiful shapes and colors. However, the purpose behind the aesthetic I’ve chosen becomes more clear with a bit of explanation. Plotting and connecting the locations of all of this year’s winners created very intriguing shapes that I gave life to through three-dimensional rendering software and tinkering with color, lighting, shading and blurring. Hours upon hours of work culminated in a simple abstraction of the pleasurable experiences we have received from these winning businesses over the past academic year. While this guide and my cover do focus on the idea that these businesses, organizations, and other practices are “the best” of Bloomington-Normal, I can’t help but acknowledge the connection between all every single candidates. What is this connection? The varying tastes and lifestyles of the students, faculty and staff that vote for “the best” of Bloomington-Normal year after year. It shouldn’t be forgotten that, while being number one in this guide is a lovely sentiment, every candidate is “the best” in the eye’s of the many, regardless of who won on paper.
grace johnson
brooks bankord
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grace johnson supplement editor
BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
BREWE-HA’s
Being a broke and busy college student is never a fun situation to be in, but luckily, the Bloomington-Normal area offers plenty of discounts for students or even just specials for them to enjoy, such as the $2 burger basket from Brewe-ha’s. This inexpensive basket includes both a hamburger, cooked to the diner’s liking, as well as a side of fries, and what college student wants to spend more than $5 on anything? Brewe-ha’s, located at the corner of Linden Street and College Avenue, sells alcoholic beverages, but like many bars, people who are not 21 years old can still enter for eating, so there’s no reason for anyone not to go there and sink their teeth into the juicy burger. Junior English major Olivia Centers cannot turn down the option. “If you order everything on it, you get onions, pickles and tomatoes, and you can choose between two kinds of cheese. Plus you get fries, so it’s a really good deal,” she explained. Students having been getting bang for their buck for years, so this is not the first year Brewe-ha’s has won this award. The atmosphere even offers a small outdoor area for people around Blo-No to enjoy a mouthwatering burger as the weather is warming up. Brewe-ha’s is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 1 a.m. on Sundays. Only cash is accepted. For more information, call (309) 452-7393.
2ND| $4.99 large pizza before 9 (PRIME TIME) 3RD| $6.99 college student special (Papa john’s) Archive Photo
Lindsey Clark reporter
For the best breakfast menu in Bloomington-Normal, look no further than Wild Berries Restaurant in Normal. Located at 115 S. Veterans Pkwy, the restaurant is a hot spot among college students who frequent the establishment, especially on the weekends. Although the restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wild Berries is best known for its breakfast foods like strawberry and banana crepes or French toast, complete with sides like bacon or sausage and toast. The restaurant has an extensive menu (including vegetarian options), but no one can beat Wild Berries for their all-day breakfast menu. Manager Denise Karonis said. “There’s huge portions of food and lots of choices … We also try to make it a comfortable, casual atmosphere.” The menu also has healthy start breakfast options for those who may want to eat lighter. For those obsessed with coffee and/or smoothies, Wild Berries also has a wide selection for both of those as well. This place has a casual attire atmosphere and is also great for groups. Friendly service and great food make a great combination for a place to visit next time you are out for breakfast or brunch with family or friends. With a menu that includes a little bit of everything, customers are bound to find what they want at this restaurant. “The pancakes, French toast, omelets—we have choices you can’t get anywhere else,” Karonis said. “You can come in starving and leave full.”
best breakfast location
wildberries
03 2ND| merry ann’s 3RD| einstein bros. bagels Laura Fromme| Art Director
KelliE FLAHERTY
BEST burrito
chipotle
2ND| los potrillos 3RD| moe’s south west grill
Ashley Koenig | Photographer
jessica smith
Burritos at Chipotle took the prize for this year’s results because of its reputation for freshly prepared food items. “We just have all natural meats and ingredients,” Abel Medina, Normal’s Chipotle manager, said. “It just tastes a lot better than the other places.” Medina said Chipotle’s staff has high standards for cooking their meats to ensure they are kept as fresh as possible. “Chipotle’s burritos are always fresh, quick and easy,” Katie Gulino, sophomore nursing major, said. “There are so many different flavors that you can add to it, which makes it fulfilling with what you want to eat.” Chipotle makes a conscious effect to maintain a relationship with ISU students by offering fundraising opportunities and customer appreciation days, Medina said. Organizations wishing to set up a fundraiser at Chipotle can call (309) 862-0309.
best drunk food
d.p. dough
staff writer
D.P. Dough’s gooey calzones offer choices for ingredients, sauces, and sides, so it’s no surprise ISU students picked the restaurant for best drunk food. Its location, smack dab in the middle of Uptown Normal, and late hours make it a perfect place to stop in after a night of drinking before the fun ends. “This is the sixth year in a row we’ve won an award, and we’re so grateful for all the support. Each year we seem to get more and more people coming in,” Rick Potocki, marketing director, said. “We definitely get the most customers right after the bars close. If you’ve ever been in the lobby late at night, it’s like a carnival. People have a blast socializing while they wait for their calzones.” For those who can’t wait, hot and ready varieties really play to students’ convenience, whether for delivery, dining in, or carryout.
2ND| jimmy john’s 3RD| prime time Ashley Koenig | Photographer
best wings
buffalo wild wings
04
2ND| mugsy’s pub 3RD| hooters Archive Photo
news editor
tyrianna jones reporter
Buffalo Wild Wings is known for their large variety of flavors and their 60-cent wing specials. The good deal is only part of the draw, though. The restaurant’s Blazin’ sauce, one of 22, is so hot that customers are able to participate in the Blazin’ Challenge. The Bloomington location’s manager said many people have won the contest and jokingly added that they’ve also won heartburn. Aside from their sauce, Buffalo Wild Wings is also the largest sports bar in town, with 55 high definition televisions. If wings are not preferred, BWW’s menu also includes burgers and sandwiches, appetizers and salads. There are many choices for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a kids’ menu and dessert. Fans of Buffalo Wild Wings can look forward to a new Normal location right on Main Street. The new campus-friendly location is expected to open in the spring of 2015.
best date restaurant
medici
2ND| Biaggi’s 3RD| Destihl Archive Photo
grace johnson supplement editor
Even though college students are known for being busy schedules, that doesn’t stop them from wanting to go on dates, especially to Medici. The menu includes brunch, lunch and dinner options, for those interested in dating at any time of day. And for students who are 21 years old? The alcohol menu is extensive as well, offering different specials multiple days of the week. Medici, located on North Street, is just a short walk from most places on campus, which is why some students see the draw. Senior publishing studies major Maegan O’Brien explained, “My fiancé and I enjoy going because it offers a great selection of delicious food in a gorgeous environment.” She went on to say that the location allows them to take a romantic stroll through the rest of Uptown Normal. O’Brien’s observation about the atmosphere of the restaurant matching the fresh, seasonal food was on point, especially with the decorative tree that reaches from the ground floor up to the second floor. One of the most appealing aspects of Medici’s environment is the upstairs, where the open atmosphere allows for diners to overlook North Street while eating. Students interested in dining at Medici should consider reservations, which can be made online at medicinormal.com or by phone at (309) 452-6334.
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best sandwich
jimmy john’s
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ROOMMATE SPECIAL! 106 E. Beaufort St. Uptown Normal 309.452.2900 WE DELIVER!
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2ND| potbelly 3RD| mcalister’s deli Ashley Koenig| Photographer
julia evelsizer features editor
Celebrate your heritage. Or someone else’s.
06 NORMAL Main St & Osage BLOOMINGTON 305 N. Veterans Pkwy
Online ordering, EClub and more at noodles.com
It’s not uncommon to see a bicyclist zipping along the sidewalks of campus in a black shirt and cap emblazoned with two red J’s. These freaky fast deliverymen and women are carrying precious cargo — Jimmy John’s gourmet subs. For multiple years in the past, Jimmy John’s has earned the title of best sandwich according to Vidette readers, and for good reason. Jimmy John’s sells more than 20 different sandwiches, varying from the simple Turkey Tom to the impressive J.J. Gargantuan. The subs are known for being fresh and fast, which is the best kind of food for hungry college students. Sandwiches can be purchased in store, or ordered online or by phone for delivery. With two locations on campus, one in Uptown Normal and one on South Main Street, the sandwich shop is a popular spot for ISU students, faculty and staff to grab a quick bite to eat. “I’d say 70 percent of our customers are wonderful students and staff from ISU,” said Mary Strack, the owner of several Jimmy John’s locations. Strack is known as the “Queen of Subs” by her co-workers. Strack mentioned that the majority of Jimmy John’s employees tend to be students and that many managers are in fact ISU grads. “Thank you for supporting us. We are so appreciative to be a member of the ISU family,” said the Queen of Subs. “We are a proud corporate partner with ISU athletics and we will always support the ISU Redbirds and their endeavors.”
grace johnson supplement editor
best local coffee shop
einstein bros. bagels
A good cup of coffee can help anyone’s day improve, even those who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The hottest place to get the cup of joe in Bloomington-Normal is within walking distance and the best part? If students are feeling the pinch in their wallets, they can spend Redbird dollars or Flex dollars on the Redbird ID cards. Einstein Bros. Bagels was voted Best Local Coffee Shop for another year in a row, and it’s no wonder. Located in the Bone Student Center, students have easy access to stop by between classes or head there to study in the evenings. “I like Einstein’s coffee because it’s cheap, delicious, and makes me feel invincible,” junior economics major Michael Milett said. This year, Einstein’s even expanded to include a kiosk in Milner Library, which is yet another way the company tries to constantly improve. “Our staff, which includes many students, does a great job of understanding the needs of the customers, their fellow students,” Jamie Wood, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining Services, explained, emphasizing that the coffee shop strives to provide wonderful customer service. Wood added, “We are extremely proud and honored to be named Best Local Coffee Shop in Bloomington-Normal. We have many loyal customers who have helped Einstein’s do very well.”
2ND| the coffee hound 3RD| fusion brew Ashley Koenig| Photographer
holly petrovich news editor
best frozen dessert
emack & bolio’s
With temperatures finally rising, ice cream sales are sure to increase as well, and students agreed the best frozen dessert on campus can be enjoyed at Emack & Bolios, located in Uptown Normal. Emack & Bolio’s features over 35 specialty hand-dipped ice cream flavors, along with yogurt and sorbet, smoothies, coffee drinks and frappuccinos. Store manager Sallie Fuller is not at all surprised by the win because of all the delicious products they sell, especially the butter fat ice cream. “It’s awesome ice cream, full fat and full flavor, and hand dipped. Good stuff,” Fuller said. Among the various flavors, Fuller said their Oreo and coffee flavors tend to be the most popular. They also specialize in their flavored cone, which was introduced in 1980, and includes flavors such as Oreos, Rice Krispies, and Fruit Loops. They are also expanding their hot tea flavors, and working on bringing more ice tea and fruit teas to the shop. The shop in Uptown has an outdoor stage and patio for performers to play while customers can listen and enjoy their frozen treat. Fuller believes this is one of the best features of Emack & Bolio’s because it creates a relaxing atmosphere in the summer. Even though this is Fuller’s first year managing the store, she plans to continue the success of Emack & Bolio’s by maintaining the great reputation among customers. “I have a bunch of great students that work for me and they’re really customer conscious,” she said. “We have to keep the place like it’s always been.”
07 2ND| cherry berry 3RD| coldstone creamery Jake Johnson| Photographer
best burger
Meatheads
tyrianna jones reporter
Meatheads Burgers and Fries allows customers to come in and build their own unique or traditional burger with fresh, home-made ingredients. The restaurant has a panel of signature burgers but the most popular is the Texas Ranch burger, which includes a bacon ranch sauce. Megan Thornton, manager at the Normal location, said Meatheads always tries to give back to the community through fundraisers and reading programs. They also have an RSO fundraiser almost every day through ISU. In order to say thank you for choosing them as best burger, every year Meatheads has an ISU Free Burger Day. The day is usually secretive and goes unannounced until the day of the giveaway. At no extra charge, ISU students can come in with their student ID and receive a free 1/3 pound burger maxed at $5.75. Students can hopefully look forward to another day of free burgers in the upcoming semester. Meatheads offers a variety of burgers such as patty melts, Hawaiian and NY Rueben. It also has milkshakes, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs. This is Meathead’s third time winning Best Burger at its Normal location, but there is also an older Bloomington location on Veterans Parkway and Main Street. No matter which location customers choose to frequent, Meatheads will continue to allow them to customize their own burger meal. 2ND| pub ii 3RD| Brewe-ha’s Ashley Koenig| Photographer
best asian cuisine
great wall
kayla stroner senior staff
Since 1998, Great Wall has been bringing what it calls “the quickest, freshest, most delicious” Chinese food to Bloomington-Normal. Well, the votes are in, and Great Wall is the best of the best. The great news? They appreciate students, too. When asked about their population of student costumers, Great Wall driver and manager Andy Mesersmith, said, “ISU students are very important to us. Without them, we would lose half of our business. Winter is definitely the busiest time for us because kids come back to school. There’s always lots of General Tso’s Chickens ordered and they keep us the busiest in town.” Senior acting major Fiona Stephens weighed in on Great Wall and why it is her favorite Chinese food restaurant in town. “I like Great Wall a lot,” she told us “Great Wall was the first Chinese food place I ordered from ... and the second, and the third. They have great dumplings, the food is decently priced, and their delivery service is super speedy.” Great Wall is located in College Oaks Square on the corner of Towanda and College Avenue. Contact them at (309) 4547218 for carryout or for delivery.
08
2ND| panda express 3RD| kobe japanese house Laura Fromme| Art Director
best pizza
firehouse
can’t find THE stories you’re looking for? search “best of 2014” on videtteonline.com now for more stories. 2ND| prime time 3RD| papa john’s Jake Johnson| Photographer
jenna zbinden staff writer
Whether it’s dine-in, carryout or delivery, Firehouse Pizza & Pub is the best place to go in town when you’re looking for appetizing pizza. “The variety makes our pizza the best,” said Jake Rockhold, assistant manager of Firehouse Pizza & Pub. Firehouse Pizza & Pub boasts its made-to-order pizzas, all real ingredients and cheese, famous sweet pizza sauce and homemade dough that made fresh from scratch every morning. If you can think it, they’ve created it, with over 15 different combinations of pizza going beyond the classics like Cheeseburger Supreme, BLT, Chicken Bacon Ranch and Margarita Pizza. But fear not, if you still are feeling creative, Firehouse Pizza & Pub offers over 20 toppings of the freshest meats and vegetables to create your own version of a tasty pizza. Firehouse Pizza & Pub has a pizza for every kind of date, thin & crispy, hand-tossed, or deep dish crusts, including vegetarian and gluten free options. But it doesn’t just have good pizza; the menu offers a variety of items from boneless and jumbo hot wings, create-your-own calzones, homemade and tasty pasta bowls, a variety of salads to add or order as a meal, hot sandwiches and some sweet desserts to finish off the meal. As far as atmosphere, the restaurant is split into a dining room area and a bar area, the dining room a more traditional sit-down atmosphere with a TV at every booth, or a more laid back pub scene on the other half. Firehouse Pizza & Pub is located right in the midst of Normal’s Uptown scene. It was started by two brothers in Peoria and after gaining popularity, spread to several locations in Central Illinois. Each restaurant is privately owned and independently operated. Firehouse Pizza & Pub is proud of its family-friendly atmosphere and quality, small town service.
3002 Gill Street, Bloomington (309) 661-6387 www.gillstreet.net
SPORTS
FOOD
FUN
• Huge outdoor patio • Bags/Volleyball leagues • Live entertainment weekly • Go to gillstreet.net for more info employment opportunities available
09
A. best uptown bar b. best sports bar
pub II
A. 2ND| maggie miley’s 3RD| brewe-ha’s
B. 2ND| buffalo wild wings 3RD| elroy’s
Samantha Flory| Photographer
kelley bowles reporter
Pub II
Thanks for 40 Years!
10
Wednesday
$4.00 ·Pitchers ·Vodka Redbulls ·Bombs
Thursday
$2.00 ·Domestic Longnecks $3.00 ·Bacardi ·Captain Morgan Mixers
Friday
$2.00 22oz $3.00 Absolut Mixers
The popular bar has been a local favorite for almost 40 years. The Pub has won several awards in the past and is happy to be the most popular bar in Uptown normal. “We are very excited and we are glad students think so highly of us and I’m proud of us and the students,” co-owner Terry Ftralow said. Ftralow has been a co-owner for the pub since 1977. “I’m an ISU graduate and I love still being here and I love the campus, the town, and the students. It’s a great job.” Ftralow said. The popular sports bar has always been located in Uptown, since it opened in 1974. Before the end of this school year the Pub is planning to celebrate their 40 year anniversary. The owners are proud to have been part of the ISU community for so long and are hoping to be here for years to come. The Pub has a welcoming atmosphere and has a mix of people from students, to local residents to workers. They also have a large beer garden that is always crowded when the weather gets warmer. With so many other bars in the area, what makes the Pub stand out? “I like to think it is because we have good specials, good food, and you can catch any sporting event here and you can always see a good mix of people,” Ftralow said. To learn more about the Pub and its upcoming specials and events, including the 40-year celebration, check out the bar’s Facebook page. Whether you are catching up with friends, indulging in the famous cheeseballs, enjoying the $4 pitchers on Wednesday, or catching a game, the Pub II has something for everyone.
2ND| chasers 3RD| six strings
best downtown bar
Archive Photo
fat jack’s laura fromme art director
2ND| beer pong 3RD| slap cup
With a lot of space, dancing room, and three bars, it’s no wonder Fat Jack’s won Best Downtown Bar. The bar is always guaranteed to be a fun time with a high probability to run into familiar faces. The business prides itself on being “home of the fat jack cocktail and the best draft beer of the twin cities.” Senior journalism major Jenna Cusamano said, “Fat Jack’s is the best bar because it has a great dance floor with awesome music and lighting. They also have great drink specials sometimes.” These drink specials include $2 wells on Thursdays, Fat Fridays and Hurricane Saturdays, in addition to other classic mixed drinks and beer selections. “It has so many different rooms with different features that you’re never bound to be bored,” Cusamano added. Its rooms include a main bar, cigar room, blue lounge and “Room 4.” The mysterious-sounding last room consists of a DJ area, a large dance floor, tables and stools, a bar, and a tall platform above the bar to dance and show off your moves. Other areas include a pool table. One of the main highlights of the bar is the number of bathrooms present: two. If you are looking for a cheap and possibly wild time, Fat Jack’s is the place to go. There is rarely a cover fee, which means more money will be saved if you get the deals. The bar opens daily at 3 p.m. on Main Street and closes at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
best drinking game
flippy cup
best sex position
doggie style
2ND| girl on top 3RD| missionary best place to find a hook-up
chasers 2ND| party bus from downtown 3RD| fat jack’s
best place to hook up in public
the quad 2ND| 3RD|
$2 U-Call-Its (Chasers) $3 pitchers (elroys)
best drink special
75 ¢ thursday well drinks (drifters)
2ND| milner basement 3RD| the bowl fountain by stevenson
11
best place to bust a move
jenna zbinden
chasers
staff writer
The open floor plan and two bars off to the side at Chasers allow for a large space to get your groove on to the latest crowd favorites. Those in need a break from all the dancing can stop to rest in the sitting areas of to the side of the dance floor. “We have the largest dance floor in Bloomington and our sound system is up to date for music,” Ron Nurceski, owner of Chasers, said. “People don’t feel crammed,” Nurceski added. Chasers, which is open Thursday through Saturday, plays rollback themed dance music from the ’80s and ’90s on Thursdays so the crowd can dance along to old favorites with their dollar beers and two dollar shots. Friday and Saturday nights call for some top 40 jams and $2 you-call-its and three dollar vodka Redbulls. Chasers is located right in the middle of Bloomington’s downtown scene, attracting the college-aged crowd. It sits in the basement of Michael’s Restaurant, both owned by Nurceski, who is known to stay late and supervise while making friends with the locals that come in. “When you’re just coming off of a hard week it’s the perfect place to go and get great drinks,” Rebecca Hemmer, junior public relations major, said. “It’s a really fun place go and hang out with other people that want to do the same,” Hemmer added.
2ND| fat jack’s 3RD| daddios Archive Photo
best liquor store
707 liquors
12
Thank you ISU community for voting for 707 in the Best Of! Best Prices, Best Selection, Best Customer Service
matt johnson senior staff
707 Liquors, the best liquor store as voted by ISU students, has two locations for students to shop. The first is conveniently located at 707 S. Main St., and the other is located on 315 W. Beaufort St. “I choose 707 liquors because of the convenient location to my apartment and the reasonably priced alcoholic beverages,” Nick Hermann, senior physical education major, said. Both locations offer an assortment of different alcoholic beverages at low prices for students. Some of the products include wine, domestic beers, handcrafted beers, ales, lagers and hard liquor of a student’s choice among many others. Recently, 707 Liquors began selling Jose Cuervo Cinge Cinnamon for a special time. “I go there because they have a good selection and the employees are always helpful,” Lauryn Ott, junior family consumer science major, said. “It’s fairly priced and it’s super convenient.” In addition, 707 Liquors sells non-alcoholic items, such as red solo cups, ping pong balls, lemonade, soda and a variety of small snacks. The hours of operation for the 707 S. Main St. location are Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m.to 1 a.m. On Friday through Saturday 707 Liquors is open from 10 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. The Beaufort Street location’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. 2ND| university liquors 3RD| binny’s
matt johnson
best movie theater
starplex
senior staff
Starplex Cinemas, voted best movie theater by ISU students, is located at 201 McKnight St., Normal, but also is a chain movie theater nationwide. The company prides itself in providing customers with the most exciting theater experience possible according to their webpage. Starplex Cinemas offers digital projection and digital 3D in select locations, allowing patrons to experience one of the newest innovations to the film industry. “I chose to go to Starplex because they offer a wide variety of candies at the concession stand,” Chris Dall, senior marketing major, said. “They offer convenient show times and best of all they let you put your own butter on the popcorn!” Furthermore, Starplex Cinemas offers D-Box seating. D-Box seating is specifically programmed to synchronize the visual content on the screen to the motion generating system in the seat. This creates an immersive experience for the viewer, but it costs slightly more than a normal ticket. Starplex Cinemas allows customers to buy tickets in advance online and pick them at the theater to avoid long lines. For special discounts, student can apply for a new Star Rewards card at Starplex Cinemas. The card will have the new registration number listed. After a person has completed the registration and confirmation process, they then can earn free rewards such as receiving one point for every $1 spent at concessions. A person can find show times at starplexcinemas.com. Tickets for students are $6 and are $8 for non-students.
2ND| wehrenberg 3RD| normal theater Archive Photo
110 N. Center, Bloomington (309) 827-0818 Visa/Mastercard/Discover accepted
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13
best live entertainment venue
best live music
mike & joe
u.s. cellular coliseum
2ND| candles 3RD| brushfire
2ND| castle theatre 3RD| laugh house Archive Photo
Archive Photo
lindsey clark
grace johnson
At 101 S. Madison St. in Bloomington, the U.S. Cellular Coliseum is home to a multipurpose showground that provides visitors with countless events to come watch each year, and it has been voted the best in the area for live entertainment. The venue holds more than 100 events annually, from sports to concerts and other special events. Because the stadium has multifunctional uses, the Coliseum is the place to go for nearly any kind of event. “The U.S. Cellular Coliseum has a wide variety of events throughout the year which attracts people from the Bloomington-Normal community and Central Illinois, who enjoy entertainment such as live music and special events,” Jenna Fecht, marketing and communications manager for the Coliseum, said. The venue plays host to live sports such as basketball, hockey and football, and has hosted countless concerts including names like Bassnectar, the Rock to the Rescue concert featuring REO Speedwagon and Styx, and most recently Jason Aldean. The Coliseum has also hosted circus ice shows. With 7,000 bowl seats, it is the perfect arena for all different types of events in the community. In April, “Long Island Medium” star Theresa Caputo will be appearing live at the venue to share her experiences and give 14 readings to the audience. The easy-to-navigate stadium provides visitors with a great place to watch the events they want to see. The stadium also has five concession stands, which include South of the Border and Smokehouse. “Our goal is to being in a variety of entertainment for the community which not only brings patrons into the U.S. Cellular Coliseum but a great way for them to enjoy the downtown area,” Fecht explained.
The only thing better than listening to music? Listening to live music, and for yet another year, the band Mike and Joe has successfully landed the Vidette award of Best Live Music in the Bloomington-Normal area. The group, consisting of four members, has been a Redbird favorite for years, and as such, it’s no real surprise to hear that it won. “They play a lot of music from our generation, like’90s bands’ songs, and they take requests. They’ll play a song if you ask or stop playing if someone wants them to,” senior publishing major Nick Gentile said. “They’re very responsive to their crowds.” According to the group’s website, Mike and Joe can be booked for private parties and offer suggestions for getting music festivals to request the band to play. Additionally, the group offers multiple ways of contacting specific members or the band as a whole, so groupies (errr…fans) can reach out. Although the band is not from the area, multiple members are from the Chicago-area, but they still love the support they get from Blo-No. “They seem to have a real investment in coming here and being around fans,” Gentile added. “They are always loyal to the school and have always really showed Redbird pride.” Students interested in learning more about the band or in booking Mike and Joe can visit mikeandjoe.com.
reporter
s u pplement editor
jenna zbinden
best place to STUDY
MILNER library
staff writer
From the single cubbies to the group tables or from the private rooms to the comfy couches, the six floors of Milner Library provide study areas for all kinds of students. “It’s a good place to study because it’s a good environment to get away from roommates and the business of your normal schedule,” Megan Dowling, student supervisor at Milner Library, said. To be more specific, Milner Library has 84 public workstations, 63 classroom workstations, 110 computer lab workstations and 30 laptops. In addition to this, there are floors with maximum quiet rules for students that like a little peace and quiet. “There are no distractions so you can just focus,” Dowling said. Dowling, who closes the library down at 3 a.m. on many nights, said that a lot of people come and go from the library every day. “I see the same people all the time, there are regulars,” Dowling said. While some go for a quiet place to study, others go in groups to meet and study for tests, work on group projects or to have meetings. “I go for group projects all the time. I also go when my friends are there studying,” Sam Rybacki, a junior elementary education major, said. Librarians are available at the front desks to provide personal help with resources and library instruction customized for students and faculty. Milner Library prides itself as an active partner in teaching, learning, research and service activities at Illinois State University.
2ND| atrium lounge in the BSC 3RD| COB atrium Ashley Koenig| Photographer
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604 Dale, Normal across from Papa Johns & 503 N. Prospect, Bloomington
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best customer service (lg. apartment)
young america
2ND| sami 3RD| redbird apartmenys
Archive Photo
best customer service (med. apartment)
college station & first site
College Station and First Site both tied for best medium apartment customer service. These leasing companies offer two different unique experiences to their customers making either one a great choice if searching for apartments. College Station is located just off campus on the north end of Normal and has been open since 2002. It offers mostly two-bedroom apartments, but one- and four-bedrooms are available as well. For those who are concerned about splitting rent, College Station offers individual leases so roommates are not responsible for each other’s rent. Even though College Station only has one location, they offer a large amount of amenities to their residents. Manager Megan Thornton said some special features include a heated pool, free tanning, and a state of the art fitness center. There are also resident lounges with free printing. The Redbird Express campus shuttles to the complex on weekdays and the Entertainment Shuttle helps residents go to Uptown Normal and Downtown Bloomington. There are plenty of convenient 16 options at College Station. First Site has been in business for more than 30 years, and 97 percent of the company’s apartments are new or under construction. The realty company offers 34 differ-
kellie flaherty news editor
Sunglasses, T-shirts, sweatshirts and water bottles with the words “Young America” flashing across them – everyone on campus seems to own at least one of these items. It seems that Young America’s marketing strategies have paid off once again since it has been named the Best Large Apartment Customer Service for 2014. Managing more than 1,000 student rental units in the area, Young America has provided a variety of off-campus housing to students at ISU for almost 40 years. “[Young America] just offers so many options of living that you almost anyone can find the apartment you’re’re looking for budget and location wise,” junior elementary education major Emily Mills said. Young America’s website reads, “Working with tenants and investors, Young America provides the best in class customer/ client service for the entire portfolio of rental units under management.” Mills said the leasing company has always been very professional and classy whenever she has reached out to them this past year living in her apartment. All Young America residents are able to utilize the unique services it offers including online payments, 24-hour maintenance, streamlined applications and professional leasing staff. “We’ve called maintenance multiple times this year, so the 24-hour maintenance is probably the best service,” Mills said. Recently, Young America hosted “Tenant Appreciation Week” and provided free food from Avanti’s and Papa Johns as well as the chance to win an iPad air, showing the company’s dedication to its tenants and the Blo-No area as a whole. tyrianna jones reporter
ent complexes throughout Bloomington-Normal, allowing a variety of options for perspective customers. There are both on-campus and off-campus apartments available as well as houses. Leasing and Marketing Manager Ulises Napoles said First Site is unique because of the community feel, state-ofthe-art security and amenities, such as fitness centers and individual parking spaces. First Site offers joint leasing but financial aid from college students is also accepted. Napoles said First Site asks residents every September if they would like to return for another year and the response is unbelievable. He believes First Site takes good care of residents, the apartments are professionally maintained and 100 percent ready for move-in which students appreciate. College Station and First Site are two great choices for apartment leasing. College Station offers a smaller community with plenty of free amenities for their residents whereas First Site has many different apartments, both giving students options for what type of environment best fits them. No matter the choice, both leasing companies have excellent customer service, and there is always someone there to answer any questions when calling or visiting their office. College Station can be reached at (309) 454-5549, and students can contact First Site at (309) 888-4444. 2ND| campus point 3RD| other
YOUNG AMERICA IS YOUR
BEST CHOICE FOR HOUSING!
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best customer service (sm. apartment)
the flats
2ND| the edge 3RD| JSM apart ments Ashley Koenig| Photographer
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matt johnson senior staff
ISU students voted the Flats apartment leasing company as the Best Small Apartment Customer Service in 2014’s Best of Guide. The main office for The Flats is located 701 S. Main St. The company stresses the benefits of individual leasing rather than joint leases, Elaine Penman, property manager at The Flats, said. They never want students to be in the position of being responsible for their roommate’s activities or missteps. “We were thrilled,” Penman said. “We really strive to make our residents happy and have a positive experience living here so we were excited to get this recognition.” In addition, The Flats are on campus frequently, specifically the Quad, and are hosting a $10,000 party this April 24th. If a Blo-No student comes in to tour The Flats before then, they are automatically entered to attend the party and win $10,000. A few spots are still available for lease at The Flats for the 2014–2015 school year at their existing buildings at 701 S. Main St and 611 E. Osage St. Additionally, the availability of two, three and four bedroom floor plans in the new building do exist and are set to open in August 2014. The location of this new apartment will be at 709 S. Main St. Penman was able to provide an answer to the reasoning of The Flats award. “Our buildings are luxury at its finest,” Penman said. “We offer great security features as well as a top-notch service team.” The Flats hours of operation are from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hours on Saturday are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
best place to work out
jessica smith
campus rec
staff writer
The Student Fitness Center at ISU, also known as the Rec, is one of the nicest fitness facilities at any university. The Rec offers 22,000 square feet of cardio and weight training space, four fitness studios, sport courts, an indoor track, swimming pool, climbing wall and a Jamba Juice. What more could you ask for? The Rec also offers tons of fitness classes that are free to students, such as INSANITY, kickboxing, yoga, Zumba, cycling, and even aqua Zumba! What makes the Rec the best place to work out? Location, location, location. It’s within walking distance for most underclassmen, and it’s ideally located on the corner of the Quad. The facility is new, updated, and clean—and the atmosphere is great. Rec employee Ally Palheygi, a junior biological sciences major, loves her job and the upbeat environment she works in. “I love working at the Rec. You get to know a lot of people, and the staff is very helpful. Everyone who works here has a very positive attitude, so it’s a great atmosphere.” But Palheygi mixes working and working out, often choosing to exercise at the Rec on her days off. “The Rec also has top line equipment. Plus, it’s not usually too crowded except at the beginning of the semester.” Publishing studies major Rachel Dula comes to the Rec to work out almost every day, using the machines, running on the track, or attending fitness classes. “I love going to the Rec because there’s a supporting community with goals and because I love being active. I’ve grown to enjoy running there and Zumba is fun with great instructors,” Dula said.
2ND| la fitness 3RD| gold’s gym Ashley Koenig| Photographer
The staff of the Student Fitness Center would like to say thanks for another great year as your home for recreation! Check out these remaining events: Earth Day Water Bottle Swap: April 22 Mackinaw River Paddle: April 27 Register by April 22
Finals Rectacular: May 5-6 Find out more at CampusRecreation.IllinoisState.edu 19
309-454-2960
classactrealty.com
best hotel
marriott
NOW RENTING For Summer, Fall, Spring 2014/2015
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2ND| the chateau 3RD| HOLIDAY INN express Samantha Flory| Photographer
olivia gilbertsen senior staff
Thank you ISU community for voting for 707 in the Best Of! 20
Best Prices, Best Selection, Best Customer Service
The Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel has won the Vidette’s best hotel. Stephanie Morstatter, the director of sales and marketing at the hotel, said the Marriot is a full-service, four-diamond hotel that offers a relaxed atmosphere combined with the highest level of customer service. “It’s an honor to receive this award. Our team works really hard to be the best in the industry,” Morstatter said. “Our guests are our number one priority here at the Marriott. We strive for excellence and want to make their home-awayfrom-home as comfortable as possible.” The Marriot offers a casual on-site restaurant and lounge that is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Morstatter said. Additionally, Caffeina’s Marketplace features a Starbuck’s Coffee for guests to enjoy, Morstatter added. The hotel also offers an escape from stress at their indoor swimming pool and whirlpool combination, a fitness center and a 24 hour business center, she said. Morstatter said for all awards, including the Vidette’s “Best of” award, she and her team get together to celebrate the successes during staff meetings. The Marriott has a total of 175 employees and typically sees 60,000 rooms per year with about $4 million in food and beverage revenue. For more information on the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel call (309) 862-9000 or visit the website at marriott.com.
matt johnson
best “i’m sorry” store
senior staff
The store Cookies by Design was voted by ISU student as the Best “I’m Sorry” Store in the Bloomington-Normal area yet another year. Its Bloomington-Normal location can be found at 1520 E. College Ave. Products range from decorated cookies, cookie bouquets, cookie baskets and cookie trays among many other options. In fact, Cookies by Design even offers a gluten-free cookie for customers. Students can choose from several bouquets to select from the company’s website, cookiesbydesign.com, and they can also personalize any order. The spread of cookies come in a variety of different occasions and celebrations too. Cookies by Designs offers specialty cookies for get well, sympathy, thank you and just because moments. “We are ramping up to start offering cupcakes and with our recent partnership with 1-800-flowers will be able to soon offer fruit bouquets,” Kyle Willenborg, Cookies by Design manager, said. The most sincere aspect of all of these cookie assortments is the concoction of them all. Each cookie is handcrafted and baked at the location in Normal. Currently, Cookies by Design does not have any deals or discounts out now specifically catered to students, but it runs several of promotional ads on their Facebook page, as well as local newspapers and magazines. “The sky is the limit on our creativity and willingness to satisfy our customers!” Willenborg said.
cookies by design
2ND| chocolatier 3RD| gourmet popcorn Archive Photo
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holly petrovich
best specialty store
apricot lane
news editor
Located in Uptown Normal, Apricot Lane is a female clothing and accessory store containing all the latest trends. Its poximity to campus allows for students to shop at their convenience. “I think there are many reasons why we won again this year. First and foremost our buyer works really hard to bring the hottest new trends at reasonable prices for our followers,” store manager Kim Rodriguez said. “Secondly, we aim to provide the best customer service around.” The atmosphere of Apricot Lane is intended to be fun and help encourage shoppers to express their personality. It even hosts fashion parties for girls to explore the latest styles with their friends. “It’s always a nice surprise to be honored this way,” she said. “We are so appreciative to all of our ISU fans for making our store so successful.”
2ND| mother murphy’s 3RD| uptown gifts & accesories Firstname Lastname | Photographer
kellie flaherty
best tanning salon
news editor
sun room
The Sun Room took home first place in this year’s Best of Blo-No survey as the best tanning salon in the area for the fifth consecutive year. Amanda Garrelts, salon manager at the Normal location, said the frequency that the salons change their bulbs sets Sun Room apart from other tanning places in Bloomington-Normal. “We always keep our bulbs fresh and you actually get color from our beds,” she added. Katherine Mullen, sophomore special education major, said the beds and prices are Sun Room’s best features. Half-price tans before 10 a.m. is a deal that attracts many ISU students, she added. “We also offer a three-month special for $75 which appeals to a lot of people who are graduating because they don’t have to buy a six-month package,” she said. There are two Sun Room locations in the area, one on Veterans Parkway and one on Hovey.
2ND| the ultimate tan 3RD| xtreme tan Samantha Flory | Photographer
best organic grocery store
fresh market
22 2ND| naturally yours 3RD| common ground Archive Photo
grace Johnson s u pplement editor
Making healthy decisions is increasing in popularity, and grocery shopping is a part of that. In the Bloomington-Normal area, those interested in healthy, delicious options often choose Fresh Market, voted the Best Organic Grocery Store. The grocery store, located on Greenbriar Drive, carries a wide range of organic foods for those students looking to consume the best available products. It also carries specialty foods from other parts of the world, such as Kerrygold Irish Butter. Having options like this is what makes Fresh Market stand out from other grocery stores that carry organic products. “We really push our organic product, and since we keep a variety, it’s a draw for our customers,” store manager Corey Grosenbach said. Because the store is so customer-oriented, weekly specials are featured in addition to regularly featured deals on certain days of the week. People interested in learning more about these deals can visit thefreshmarket.com or call (309) 888-4192.
best tattoo & piercing parlor
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2ND| exquisite body piercing & tattoo 3RD| north street tattoo company Jake Johnson| Photographer
Olivia gilbertsen seenior staff
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Graphic Flesh Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio LLC has won for the category of best tattoo and piercing location. “It’s pretty amazing [to have won] because this is our fourth or fifth time in a row winning. I am absolutely thrilled with my customers dedication to my studio,” Alysha Gallop, owner of Graphic Flesh, said. Graphic Flesh began in 2004 and is an award winning professional tattoo and body modification studio. The studio is located at 604 Dale St. in Normal. Gallop said there are six individuals on the Graphic Flesh staff, and on an average day they are knocking out about 10 tattoos and 15 piercings, not including consultations and other daily operations. “The number we do daily really depends though on the time of year, I would say when I have a full staff working on a busy day we do about 15-to-20 tattoos and upwards of 20 piercings,” Gallop explained. The studio accepts walk-ins for both tattoos and piercings; however, Gallop said the staff prefers appointments so there is adequate time to properly plan. “[However], if a walk-in is not requesting anything too difficult and we have the time we will definitely take it,” she said. There are few tattoos and piercings Graphic Flesh generally will not do. This includes racist or degrading tattoos, and some artists do not do genital tattoos. Piercings are only limited by the anatomy of the individual getting pierced. In honor of winning The Vidette’s Best Of series in their category, the studio will be holding a special for clients. For more details on the special, or information in general, visit Graphic Flesh’s Facebook page or give the company a call at (309) 862-3968.
best local book buys & returns
alamo II
grace johnson
s u pplement editor
Textbooks are infamous for being an expensive portion of college life, and as such, many students try to opt out of buying them. However, when books are necessary at ISU, students know to shop at the Alamo II. Located at the corner of North and School Streets, the Alamo has been a campus presence for decades when it began as a mom-and-pop shop. Although it has since been bought by a larger company, Neebo, the atmosphere remains that of a local bookstore since employees care about ISU. Store manager Larry Ernat believes the Alamo’s success is due to multiple factors. “Customer service is part of it, but we have the Best Price Promise so you can get the best price around,” he explained. The store offers more than textbooks. In recent years, Ernat has worked out deals with other companies in the area to offer specialty food items, such as Rosati’s pizza or Avanti’s gondolas. When students need to order books, they have the option of ordering online and picking up the books in person to save on shipping, or they can just go to the store and pick up their books that way. Most books are offered as new or used in addition to the option of buying books versus renting them, since the Alamo wants to help students save as much money as possible. “As the store manager and as an alumnus, I think that [the Alamo II] has a good reputation,” Ernat said. 2ND| barnes & noble 3RD| babbitt’s books
best resale shop
goodwill
Julia Evelsizer features editor
Shopping on a budget can be tricky, especially in col-
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Thank you ISU community for voting for 707 in the Best Of! Best Prices, Best Selection, Best Customer Service
lege. Thankfully, shopping at Goodwill is not only easy on the wallet, but it also helps support individuals with special needs. For a handful of years in the past, the Goodwill location in Normal has won best resale shop with ISU students. Peggy Ann Milton is the general manager at the Normal location. She says that a large number of Goodwill customers are college students. “Students are the most fun to help when they come into the store,” said Milton. “Most of the time they are looking for some kind of wacky outfit to wear to a school event. They always think outside the box.” Goodwill not only sells clothing for men, women and children, it also sells electronics, kitchenware, furnishings and decorations. The proceeds from these items help go to those in need. “Yes, we are a resale shop, but that’s not all,” said Milton. “We help empower people. Each penny that a student spends at Goodwill helps provide work to individuals with special needs.” Goodwill is not only a great spot to find a crazy windbreaker to wear to that ’80s themed party. The store also carries plenty of gently used dress clothes at affordable prices, perfect for a last-minute job interview. “If any students would like to do 2ND| plato’s closet volunteer work for Goodwill, or even an internship, we would be 3RD| bromenn happy to help,” said Milton. thrift shop
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FirstSiteApartments.com | 309.888.4444 List of all Community Features, Exceptional 3D Floor Plans, Resident Testimonials