People

Quick! What is the capital of Bhutan? What is the monetary unit of Estonia? What is the largest religious group in Monaco? Ok, how many did you get right? Now imagine going through that drill on a stage in front of thousands of people, TV cameras, and Alex Trebek. For most, it sounds like the makings of a bad dream. For Paducah teen Hunter Watkins, it was the culmination of a passionate pursuit as he competed at the National Geographic Bee in May.

Growth is slow at Louis Davis's business. For most, that would sound bad. But for Louis, that's just the nature of things. Business itself is booming. It's his product that has a rather lackadaisical temperament. Louis owns Paducah-based Plant Oddities, a part time hobby that quickly turned into a full time job.

The word HAMBURGER is distinctly German. The HAMBURGER SANDWICH is wholly American.

"This is the family dynasty," says Paul Parker as he thinks about his family's business and why we came back to Paducah after nearly two decades in Lexington. "I came back to carry that forward." The dynasty he refers to is Parker's Drive-In, a Lone Oak mainstay and hamburger haven.

Among Paducah’s best burger joints, the Station Burger Company is the new kid on the block. But then again, no other restaurant has caused quite a sensation in the burger world like they have in quite some time.

The hamburger market can be fiercely competitive. To stay ahead, one must be innovative, forward thinking, and a step ahead of the other guys. Just ask McDonalds and Burger King. But one of Paducah’s finest burger joints has carved out its place in history by keeping things just the way they’ve always been.

"This place is always packed at lunchtime," laughs a Dairyette devotee as he makes his way to the counter to place his order. "What are you gonna do, Roy?"

"I'm gonna build up," quips owner Roy Bohannon. "And the top's gonna rotate!"

The truth is that if Roy did indeed want to expand, up is the only direction available.

G&O Pharmacy has been bucking trends for a while. It is not only a thriving, locally owned drug store, it is a local lunch hotspot that attracts those who are in the know around Paducah.