At the heart of South Side 6’s small space, the kitchen buzzes with activity, filling the air with the rich aroma of spiced meats and fresh garlic. The newly revamped environment, home to some familiar faces with a renewed energy, is ready to invite customers back into its distinct corner of the community.
South Side 6, Bowling Green’s convenience store with a flair for Lebanese cuisine, is back in business with its original owners.
The store, located on 737 S Main St in Bowling Green, was originally opened in 1992 by So and Amal Shaheen. The Shaheens ran it as a convenience store until 2005, when So said they decided to add the takeout menu portion.
“We decided to add the deli to it and from there it’s been going and going and going,” So said.
The store’s menu, which includes gyros, falafel and kabobs, is inspired by the Shaheens’ Lebanese heritage. So said their focus is to honor where they came from with quality ingredients that reflect the time and care they put into creating their favorite dishes.
“We are Lebanese. It’s our background, and it’s good, healthy food,” So said. “We have top notch quality stuff. Everything is handmade here.”
In 2020, after serving the community for 28 years, the Shaheens retired, and South Side 6 went under new ownership. When the leasing for the interim owners was up, the Shaheens decided, four years into retirement, they were ready to take back the mantle and reopen the restaurant under their experienced ownership.
So said the decision to come back wasn’t one he took lightly, but with family in mind, he decided it was time for them to make their return. He said one of the biggest reasons for their return was an eagerness to be back in the community.
“I think I’m just excited to connect with the community and the customers and do another exciting thing,” So said.
After the ownership was transferred, the Shaheens decided it was time to give their store an upgrade. So said the renovations were small changes, but to them, those small changes made all the difference.
“We felt this was the time for a little upgrade and upkeep,” So said. “We did some painting, replaced all of the equipment, got a new parking lot and everything. Just a lot of tidying up, cleaning up.”
So said one of his goals with the reopening was to reshift the store’s focus and bring South Side 6 back to how it was under his family’s ownership. To him, that means continued use of good quality ingredients and an extra emphasis on good quality service.
“Definitely one thing in my number of priorities is to get it back to its glory days,” So said. “We need to refocus back on customer service with smiles and thank yous. I’m a firm believer in customer service, and that’s number one.”
To reintroduce themselves to the community, the Shaheens hosted a grand reopening of South Side 6. The event, which included a DJ, magician and aerial photographers, had free food and a grand ribbon cutting ceremony to officially reintroduce the new South Side 6 to Bowling Green.
So said he and his family are excited for the future of South Side 6. He said his favorite thing about South Side 6 in its new era is its helping hands, So and Amal’s children, and hoped the future of the store included them at the mantle.
“The first time, the kids were babies. Now they’re young men, and they’re helping, so working next to them, that’s awesome,” So said. “I’ll just see what the boys want to do, if they want to take it over. It’s just a matter of time.”
Sol said his greatest hope for the restaurant is that their familiar faces, new changes and the same old delicious Lebanese cuisine will keep the community coming to South Side 6 for years to come.
“We look around, it’s a nice, clean place. We have quality food, and we take pride in our cleanliness and service,” So said. “So if that’s what you’re looking for, come and see us. We’d love to see you.”
