WEDNESDAY,JUNE 5,2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 11
Businesses prepare for slower summer
By Todd Smith Kansan staff writer
When an estimated 16,000 students leave for the summer,it's not uncommon for local merchants to find business lagging.
Lawrence businesses have different strategies for the slower summer season, with some businesses using this time to do work on their buildings.
Braun Ricci, manager of Bullwinkles, 1344 Tennessee St., said the bar would undergo structural work this summer.
He said Bullwinkles remained open the past two summers for one day a week, but he did not foresee steady business this summer.
He said making money was dependent on college students in the area.
Ricci said most of its customers were in fraternities and many of them are gone for the summer.
"We are a small bar, and we are doing what we can with what we have," he said. "We have our regulars who come in every day and we can always count on them."
Robert Farha, owner of The Wheel Cafe, 507 W.14th St., was more optimistic. He said The Wheel was planning to stay open during the summer thanks to the installation of air conditioning.
The bar has not been open during past summers except for special events.
"When we did not have air conditioning in August and September, it hurt our business," Farha said. "But since the installation of air conditioning last fall,business has increased."
Farha said there were requests from students staying in Lawrence this summer to keep the bar open.
He said the bar would be open Friday and Saturday evenings beginning June 6. The Wheel will also be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Fridays for lunch.
The Wheel Pizza Co., located below The Wheel Cafe, has always remained open during the summer.
Yello Sub is another business that is
"We are a small bar, and we are doing what we can with what we have," he said. "We have our regulars who come in every day and we can always count on them."
Braun Ricci manager of Bullwinkles
affected by students leaving town.
Anna Williams, manager at the 624 W. 12th St. location, said the restaurant would close earlier during the summer.
The store is open until midnight during the school year , but it will close at 10 p.m. this summer.
"Our boss always freaks out, but we are Yello Sub, and we always make it," she said.
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce works on marketing opportunities for businesses year-round. The Chamber works with its members to help businesses improve their ability to reach customers.
"Hopefully the Chamber can help to put you together with people who can make sure cash registers ring through advertising and networking," said Bill Sepic, president and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.
He said this was the benefit of those businesses that were members of the Chamber.
Sepic said Lawrence was growing and there was potential for more customers, but the deciding factor for summer business was based on the target market.
"If you are going after the college students, then you have to be prepared for a lull in the summer," he said.
Contact Smith at tsmith@kansan.com. This story was edited by Mike Gilligan.
Jaci Wilkening talks among her peers about platform issues at McCollum Hall during a discussion at Girls State. More than 500 incoming high school seniors who form their own city and then decided its constitution.
JOHN NOWAK/KANSAN
Program teaches leadership
By Lauren Beatty
Kansan staff writer
Young women from all over Kansas are descending upon the University of Kansas this week to participate in a mock-government program called Sunflower Girls State.
Krystine Lusk, state secretary for the Auxiliary, said the purpose of Girls State was to teach young women about their state's government by creating an exact replica of the legislature. It also teaches them the importance of voting, she said.
For 60 years, the American Legion Auxiliary has sponsored Girls State all over the country. The 600 Sunflower Girls State participants form their own local and state governments by electing delegates and creating and passing their own bills.
Barbara Ballard, associate chancellor
for student affairs and Kansas representative, spoke Monday to the participants at the Lied Center. She said the program prepared future leaders.
Other guests at Girls State throughout the week include Linda Graves, Kansas' first lady, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Deanelle Tacha and Diana Carlin, associate professor of communication studies.
"They have to replicate what we do," Ballard said. "They have to campaign and run for office and they have to communicate with their constituents. It's excellent training."
The program ends Friday with a trip to Topeka to meet and observe the members of the legislature.
Contact Beatty at lbeatty@kansan.com. This story was edited by Jason Royer