Western Springs is a small town, but there's no denying the big changes we've seen in the business landscape here lately. A great variety of shops and restaurants have come into town, and people are recognizing. 

The March/April issue of West Suburban Living highlighted some local places in its "Best of the West 2013" spread. The magazine's readers voted for places, listed in first- through third-place, as well as a category for other favorites. 

Kirschbaum's Bakery makes us proud with a first-place vote, and other places including Mécénat, Beautiful Beginnings and the local theater were recognized as well. 

TELL US: Which places would have been included if you controlled the voting? (See the full list of local nods below.)

BEST RESTAURANT (WHEN MONEY IS NO OBJECT)

• Vie Restaurant: Other favorites

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT 

• Mécénat Bistro: Other favorites 

BEST NEW RESTAURANT 

• Mécénat Bistro: Other favorites 

BEST PIZZA

• Lou Malnati's (all locations): 1st place

BEST VENUE FOR LIVE THEATRE

• Theatre of Western Springs: 3rd place 

BEST PLACE FOR CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

• Beautiful Beginnings: 3rd place

BEST BAKERY

• Kirschbaum's Bakery: 1st place

BEST HAIR SALON:

• Dye Hard Salon: 3rd place

BEST NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST

• John Kass, Chicago Tribune (Kass is a Western Springs resident): 1st place

BEST WEBSITE

• Patch, multiple towns (Editor: Woo hoo!)

The issue is not yet available online, but it’s on newsstands now. Also make sure to check out which La Grange places were honored in the magazine. 

Why do you like living in Western Springs? Tell us in the comments.

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