Smiley Pete

12/22/2025

✨ Nominations are OPEN! ✨
Smiley Pete’s Best of Lex is back, and now’s your chance to shout out your favorites. Nominate the people, places, and businesses you love to make sure they’re in the running for our Best of Lex April issue.
🗳️ Voting begins January 7 at noon.
🔗 Link to nominate!

Smiley Pete's Best of Lex

12/22/2025

🎨 After nearly 40 years championing artists and curating unforgettable exhibitions, Frankie York is closing the chapter on New Editions Gallery. Dive into her journey — from art student to Lexington arts icon and what comes next. 👇
📖 Read more:

A spotlight on the career and final show for the New Editions Gallery owner as she prepares for retirement

12/16/2025

Cold nights call for cozy rituals and this one comes with a tropical twist. Our Drink of the Month is warming mugs all winter long.

With forecasters calling for colder-than-average temps this winter, we are stockpiling ideas for winter beverages that will help us stay warm. Elevated with hints of coconut for a slight tropical nod, this hot cocoa is a great recipe to help fill you

12/02/2025

It’s time!! Bluegrass Gives-formerly the GoodGiving Challenge-starts at 6am tomorrow! We’re proud to continue our partnership with Blue Grass Community Foundation on this regional day of giving.

On Dec. 2 (Giving Tuesday), from 6 a.m.–midnight, the region will come together to support the hundreds of local organizations strengthening Central & Appalachian Kentucky. 💙 bggives.org start planning now!

Join me and give back!

11/20/2025

Have you heard about Wildings Bookshop? 📚 Nestled inside Wilson's Grocery and Meat in Lexington’s Kenwick neighborhood, this cozy children’s bookshop is a dream come true for book lovers—especially little ones + their grownups. 🧡 Owner Jill Bastin curated over 1,600 titles, from board books to comics, all with a thoughtful and inclusive eye. Dive into their story and why this space matters to the community.

A new children’s bookstore tucked inside the Kenwick neighborhood market Wilson’s Grocery

11/14/2025

Business Lexington is turning 20, and we’re celebrating with an all-new look! ✨
For two decades, we’ve been dedicated to telling the region’s business stories — the visionaries, the risk-takers, the small businesses, and the big ideas.

Proudly published by Smiley Pete, and made for the community that inspires us every day.

📬 Subscribe via the link in the comments

A snapshot of the diversity, energy, and opportunity that define the region.

11/10/2025

Our November issues are out! 🍂
Packed with local stories and Thanksgiving inspiration including recipes from Ouita Michel and a young Lexington chef who’s following in her footsteps.

It all began this summer at 250lexky “World’s First Hoecake Hoedown,” where 13-year-old Henry Bollinger wowed Ouita with his take on the classic Appalachian griddle cake. Last month, the two reunited in the kitchen of Holly Hill to cook up hoecakes side-by-side.

Add a little Appalachian flavor to your Thanksgiving table, find the full story and recipe in our November issue. 🥞

A collection of holiday recipes inspired by the central Kentucky culinary queen Ouita Michel

11/06/2025

Our November issues have landed!
We’re raising a glass to the third annual Lexington Bourbon Week, starting today. 🥃 Celebrate the spirit of the Bluegrass with events, tastings, and stories that capture the heart of bourbon season.

✨ Explore more in our November issue!

10/30/2025

🎭 Get Your Tickets for SCAPA’s “Hans Christian Andersen JR.”!

Students from across Lexington take the stage November 6–8, 2025 at the Lexington Opera House in this fast-paced, heartwarming show that brings beloved fairy tales like The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Duckling to life in a fresh, unforgettable way.

📅 Showtimes:
• Thurs, Nov 6 – 7 PM
• Fri, Nov 7 – 7 PM
• Sat, Nov 8 – 2 PM & 7 PM

🎟️ Tickets:
• General Admission – $28.10
• Seniors/Students/Children – $21.90
👉 Get Tickets - click below

💛 Can’t Attend? You Can Still Support!
Help cover the cost of lights, sound, and staging by making a tax-deductible donation:
https://givebutter.com/tqgChM

Your support helps give these talented students the experience of a lifetime. Thank you for being part of the SCAPA community! 🌟

Hans Christian Andersen JR. Fundraiser

10/24/2025

💔 An End of an Era on High Street
After more than a century serving downtown Lexington, the YMCA of Central Kentucky has voted to sell its High Street property to Florida-based developer Tramell Webb Partners, Inc. The decision marks the beginning of a new chapter and the end of a familiar home.

Board votes Oct. 22 to sell the site outright and pursue a new downtown location; High Street facility to remain open through at least March 2026

10/10/2025

Our October issues are here and packed full of spirited fun! 🥃
We’re kicking things off with our Essential 8, spotlighting Kentucky’s bourbon boom. While the state has always been known for its signature spirit, the past two decades have brought a new era of innovation and revival There’s never been a more exciting time to raise a glass in the Bluegrass.

8 Essential Lexington Bourbon Distilleries; CD Central Passes the Mic to New Owners; Quick 6: Doreen Adams of Third Eye Kentucky; On Our Table: Wise Bird's Cider-Brined Bratwurst; and the Black Magic

09/21/2025

🍕 starts TOMORROW! 🍕
Our biggest lineup ever — with $10 specialty pizza deals (meat & veggie!) at your favorite spots all over town.

🔥 Download the app, try them all, and rate your faves for a chance to WIN:
🎉 Free pizza for a year from Crust & Smashing Tomato
🎬 Movie prize packs
🔥 A home pizza oven of your own!

Let the pizza party begin! 🍕❤️