First Place: Board & Bevy
More than just a bar, Board & Bevy is a place where people of all ages can have fun, relax, and make quality memories with friends and family.
Board and Bevy is a tabletop pub located at 141 E. Summit St., and it was founded by wife and husband Hayley Bennett and Cody Giannelli. The store is nearing its two year anniversary on Saturday, April 11.
“If we want anything to get out on what we are, it’s just that it’s a great gathering space, it’s a community building and ice breaking type of situation,” Bennett said.
Board and Bevy is a business centered around people of all demographics.
“I think it’s getting out that we’re not just for nerds. It’s for all people who play games. People come in and play Candy Land, you know,” Bennett said. “It’s not for hardcore gamers, it’s for everybody, it’s just something to do.”
Whether you want to bond with new roommates, or you are going on a first date, Bennett said Board & Bevy is the perfect spot.
“We really just wanted to bring something to Kent that was more of an activity and that was more centered towards community, and not centered around drinking, and available for all ages and sobrieties,” Bennett said.
More than just a business, Board & Bevy is home to a historical site. The operation is located at what once was the first grocery store in Kent.
There had been plans in the works to demolish the building like other historical buildings in the area, but the couple bought the property before that could happen, and they have maintained the original structure while adding the necessary renovations.
Every design, color and construction choice that can be seen throughout Board & Bevy was made by Bennett.
“Whatever didn’t require a contractor’s signature, we did ourselves,” Bennett said.
She did a majority of the labor and construction work with her husband, even the benches at the tables were constructed and upholstered by the couple out of old church pews from Columbus.
Second Place: Kent Plaza Cinemas
In a time when movie theater attendance has been dropping as many turn to streaming, Kent’s under-21 crowd finds a home at the local Kent Plaza Cinemas.
The theater offers a more traditional and warm atmosphere that is often lacking in the modern age.
The head assistant manager, Mariah Aiello, who does everything from running concessions to making sure movies run on time, said that the staff as a whole dedicates a lot of time to keep the theater running, so they all really appreciate the support they get from Kent State students and locals.
Regulars especially help build the community at Kent Plaza Cinemas.
“I feel like a lot of people enjoy speaking to our staff, and our staff like to talk to the customers,” Aiello said. “We have a lot of regulars who will be like, ‘Hey how’s your day going,’ and make sure they’re okay.'”
Aiello emphasized how the Plaza “feels like home” and that it wouldn’t exist without the continuous community support.
“I love how supportive our community is, even if we mess-up they still come back to us, because they know that they can trust us,” she said.
Third Place: Kent Lanes
The university students are a core part of the Kent Lanes experience, as they make up a large segment of regulars.
“The university is such a big part of my business, to be recognized is nice. The students are great, they come up and they support me throughout both semesters,” said Owner Jim Palmer. “We definitely can tell in the summer when they’re not here.”
Palmer said that customers are also contributors to the music choices, and that the bowling alley is centered around adapting to the bowlers’ experiences. From classic rock to modern tunes, the atmosphere of the alley can shift depending on the crowd.
“We play good music, you know what I’m saying?” Palmer said. “We take music requests from the kids. We kinda tailor each night to be a little bit different, depending on who’s coming up, so we’re pretty flexible.”
Jim Palmer has been running Kent Lanes for the past 19 years, and his childhood set him up for success within the bowling business. He remembers being taken to the bowling alley after school by his babysitter with his five older siblings, and they would see his mom who worked there.
Kent residents and students travel to Kent Lanes for more than to just play, as the bowling alley’s kitchen offers a wide selection of food.
“Our kitchen has become more and more popular. I think some people come out and they may not be the most intrigued in the bowling, but they like the food,” Palmer said. “I think the nice combination of the atmosphere [and] food goes a long way for the guests.”
The menu at Kent Lanes includes quesadillas, fried pickles and pizza. Palmer added that the chicken wings are the most popular item.
“I would honestly put our wings up against anybody in Kent,” he said. “We get a lot of compliments in our wings.”
Emilia Jacobson is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Tatum Werntz is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected].
