When I arrived in Norman for my freshman year at OU, I was eager to immerse myself in a city that values the people who built it. Community was a value instilled in me from a young age, growing up in a town with a population of about 2,000.
On any given day, at any time, a drive through Norman would serve as a sight-seeing experience. While the city seems quaint, it is full of life.
Just passing by one of its parks, one might see a concert or fair being held by a locally beloved organization. Even being in the general area of downtown Norman on a Friday night, one can feel the energy exuding from a 2nd Friday Art Walk.
Connecting with community members and business owners who love to share their passions is one of my favorite things about my role at OU Daily.
Since I was 15, I have worked in the service industry. My high school summers were spent waiting tables at the local bistro, and I have worked as a barista since 2021. What I have learned in these positions is the crucial role the service industry plays in cultivating a city’s culture. Every business has different values, and every customer has a reason for having their favorite place.
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OU DAILY 2024 BEST OF NORMAN CHOICES
Coffee shop:
Norman staple:
Game day eats:
Sweet treat:
Main Street shopping:
Thrift store:
Museum:
Live music:
Karaoke night:
From an outsider’s point of view, Norman might appear only as a sports-centric college town. What I have found is a city full of people with diverse interests. For this year’s Best of Norman publication, I wanted to highlight this by featuring a wider range of entities.
As culture editor, I selected 25 categories that I believe not only encapsulate the experience of college students in Norman, but an array of personalities, from those who have lived here for years to those who are new to its charm.
When selecting categories, I wanted to highlight specific areas within the arts, food, entertainment and lifestyle industries. As I began considering nominees, I thought to myself, “What would I recommend, and what have others recommended to me?” With help from OU Daily staff, I compiled a list of 75 spots that I believe speak to the Norman experience.
Honoring these businesses emphasizes the necessity of their role in the city. You will find in this publication a readers’ choice list, voted on by Norman community members.
Check out this year's Best of Norman readers' choices:
To create a list of stories to be featured in this year’s publication, the OU Daily culture desk collaborated to select the categories they wanted featured. I distributed a Google form to the culture desk, where each reporter selected their top 10 categories. From there, I prioritized local businesses and considered previous Best of Norman coverage as well as OU Daily readership.
I am so excited to present this year’s Best of Norman publication and share the stories of nine businesses that illustrate the Norman experience.
Check out the PDF print version of this publication:
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd. Natalie Armour, Avery Avery, Grace Rhodes and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
