6B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003
Students fill downtown shops
By Erica Wolfe
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Massachusetts Street, the main drag of Lawrence, offers students a wide variety of stores.
"I love Mass — it's the atmosphere. It is so different from any mall you'll walk into even though Mass does have chain stores," said Estelle Montgomery, Eudora freshman.
Brandon Longren, Virginia Beach, Va., freshman, said Massachusetts Street had every kind of store you would ever want to wander into.
"There's so much diversity on campus, there seems to be a shop for every person's taste." Longren said.
Natalie Bonebrake, Topeka freshman, recommended Urban Outfitters, 1013 Massachusetts St., Hobbs Inc., 700 Massachusetts St., and Britches Clothing Co., 843 Massachusetts St., for fun clothing and accessory shopping
"We're different, we're a specialty store, and we fill the gap. We're not Abercrombie, and we're not trying to be," said Drew Farse, Britches owner, Farse said Britches gained student attention because of its young, trendy clothes and because it had little stock of each item.
"We have only about six of each kind of shirt, and we get new stuff in every two days. That way you don't go to the bars and see three of your shirt," Farse said.
An Arizona Trading Co. employees said its fashion and prices kept students coming back for more.
"We offer a lot of fashionable and cheap clothes, we have a fun and energetic atmosphere, and we're not corporate so we appeal to the individual," Jennifer Sievers, Arizona Trading Co. manager said. Right now its spring tank tops and handmade items are already starting to sell.
KU merchandise stores battle for sales, but Jayhawk Spirit manager, Willy Wilkerson, said its store, 935 Massachusetts St., attracted various kinds of students.
"We carry unique items," he said.
While some students enjoy the Massachusetts Street atmosphere, others such as Jon Pierre, St. Louis freshman, and Lindsay Laurila, Edina, Minn., freshman, would rather shop elsewhere.
"I'll go to Mass for KU merchandise, but for the rest of my shopping I'd rather go to the mall." Pierre said. "They have more stores, and it's more convenient for me to find everything I need faster."
Lindsey Gold/Kansan
Laurila hates battling the weather outside when she is trying to shop.
"I enjoy the stores on Mass, but I hate walking around all day in the heat or snow." Laurila said, "The mall is built for the elements."
Topeka freshmen Stephanie Meador and Natalie Bonebrake try on hats Saturday at Arizona Trading Company, 734 Massachusetts St. The two said they shopped at Arizona Trading Company occasionally, but they usually go to Urban Outfitters or drive to Overland Park to shop in Oak Park Mall, 11461 W, 95th St.
Whether looking for a specific item or just wanting to window
shop, Massachusetts Street may or may not be the best shopping experience.
"I love it. Mass has got everything I need on one street," Longren said, "and gosh darn, the
people are just nice."
Delivering offers freedom, flexibility
Edited by Julie Jantzer
By Maggie Newcomer correspondence@kansan.com Kansan correspondent
Almost anything can be delivered nowadays. With life becoming more and more convenient, it's easy to take the people who make all these deliveries for granted.
While some may consider being a delivery person an easy job, Pete Skakal, Lawrence senior, said it took a special kind of person to make deliveries.
"I'm definitely a people person," he said. "You have to be fast and organized but stay calm at the
same time. Plus you have to be able to handle traffic. A lot of people get serious road rage."
Skakal has delivered for Mr. Goodcents, 1410 Kasold Driver, for three years.
Skakal said his job fit him because he enjoys driving around and listening to music.
Nate Roberts, Overland Park senior, also enjoys his job delivering for Pizza Hut, 934 Massachusetts St.
"It's really laid back, I like the people I work with and they have flexible hours." Roberts said.
Skakal said another perk of
being a delivery driver was the pay.
Skakal receives a normal wage,
plus tips and $1 per delivery.
He said he usually got tipped well, but he gets stiffed about three times a night.
Wrong addresses and confusing neighborhoods are other common delivery problems, Skakal said.
Skakal said Mr. Goodcents had about five customers who ordered every day.
Skakal said that knowing the customers could almost become a job hazard.
"There's also some people who
have smelly houses," he said. "We know their names too, and no one ever wants to make those deliveries."
Delivery drivers have more than a few bizarre on-the-job stories, Roberts said. "One time a drunk guy called and ordered a pizza that we don't make," Roberts said. "He demanded that I make it, so I said I would if he gave me a good tip."
When Roberts arrived at the man's house, he came away with a $10 tip.
The best part of the job was its freedom, Roberts said.
Aaron Showalter/Kansan
Jeffrey Kling, Leawood sophomore, delivers pizza for Papa John's Pizza. Delivery jobs offer students scheduling flexibility.
"It's like it's not even work," Roberts said. "You're out around town the whole time, not stuck
inside for eight hours."
Edited by Lindsay Hanson
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