Antiquing in Glendale, Kentucky

Downtown Glendale, KY

Cheryl and I are antiquers (not a word, I know). Follow this blog for a while and it'll become obvious that, when visiting a city/town/region, seeking out the local antique shoppes tops our to-do list. Therefore, when putting together our anniversary/Mother's Day plans this year I made a point of including a visit to one of Kentucky's antique hot-spots - the village of Glendale.

Straddling the former Louisville and Nashville (now CSX) rail line, quaint Glendale lies in Hardin County just outside of Elizabethtown and is only a 50-mile drive south of Louisville. Even though the Glendale is within easy reach of metropolitan sprawl, insightful community leaders and officials have put ordinances and historic protection measures in place to keep the village's rural nature pure and intact. While you will not, thankfully, find fast food chain restaurants and "dollar store" retail establishments here (those can be found just two miles away at the Interstate, if absolutely necessary), this sleepy former depot town offers plenty of shopping and dining excitement.

The centerpiece of Glendale is the Whistle Stop restaurant. First opened in 1975 as a sandwich shop in the town hardware store, the eatery has evolved into a must-visit attraction for down home cooking connoisseurs. Don't take our word for it, though, since gluten free options are understandably absent from the menu. The Whistle Stop was voted as having the Best Desserts in Kentucky (we hear their pies are to die for) as well as the Favorite Non-Franchise Restaurant in Kentucky for the past 5 years running by readers of Kentucky Monthly magazine.

Surrounding the Whistle Stop are a variety of antique and boutique shops in which you'll find something for just about every taste from shabby chic to "crows and stars" primitives. Traditional antiques and vintage items are well represented, of course, with Bennie's Barn Antique Mall earning our vote as the best "old stuff" shop in town. Boasting three jam-packed floors, Bennie's is an antique hound's dream. Some of their inventory stretches into the pricey side of the spectrum, but believe me when I say that there are some incredible bargains to be found!

Our absolute favorite Glendale business is the Glendale Broom Company. Proprietors Tommy and Allie Shadowens offer, just as you expect, a variety of handmade brooms and walking sticks - including magical wands! Huge fans of the Harry Potter series of novels and former staples on the Renn Faire circuit, the Shadowens incorporate a considerable touch mysticism and folklore into their beautiful works of utilitarian art. After we concluded a lengthy conversation with Tommy that included everything from Glendale history to Appalachian folklore, Cheryl left carrying a beautiful walking stick that is sure to see plenty of use on our future hikes.

Though we obviously had our favorites, each of the shops in Glendale offer unique browsing/shopping opportunities. The hours flew by as we took in all that there was to see, and though we left with our dogs barking (does anyone even say that anymore?) we're looking forward to another opportunity to rummage through the town's treasures. We missed the annual Spring Fest by a week, but the Crossing Festival held in October is already lodged firmly in our calendar. Maybe we'll see you there and maybe, unlike me, you won't fail to snap a few photos as a train barrels through the center of town.

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