FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 7A
Bars adjust to winter weather
Jared Soares/Kansan
Local establishments find ways to keep outside areas open
The Replay Lounge on 10th and Massachusetts streets is one of many bars winterizing its outdoor sections.
By Louise Stauffer
lstauffer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When the weather outside turns frightful, local bars and restaurants brace for a chill in business.
In some cases, their buildings and menus are even modified to accommodate cold winds, snow and ice.
The Replay Lounge, 946 Mass. St., has had heat lamps on its back patio for years. But this year is the first time the patio and back bar will stay open during the winter months, said Mike Davis, assistant manager.
This year, a canvas partition with large plastic windows surrounds the bar on the patio, ensuring warmth for patrons.
"It's basically like a big, canvas tent," Davis said.
When snow and ice hit the remaining uncovered portion will have to be closed down, heats lamps or not, Davis said.
The Replay also began offering hot alcoholic drinks, such as hot cider and coffee, on Sunday night. Davis said customers appreciated the beverage additions.
"They really do keep you warm." he said.
Papa Keno's Pizzeria, 1035 Mass. St., also has heat lamps on its back patio. But for the very cold months the patio is shut down, unless customers request otherwise, Andrew Collinsworth, operations manager said.
Collinsworth said business during the winter was affected.
but it was expected.
"Downtown Lawrence is a fair weather phenomenon," he said. "All downtown businesses will tell you that January and February are when business is the slowest."
Brad Durkin, owner of The Crossing Inc., 618 W. 12th St., said dreary weather was a big factor in the bar business.
"If it's a nice day people want to play, if it's dreary they don't want to go out," he said.
Durkin said even in the winter months, patrons sat outside on the patio when the sun was out.
"It warms you up pretty quickly," he said.
Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass. St., said wintertime put a chill on his business. When the weather did cooperate, he said, the patio gave the restaurant an overflow area, which was nice for times when the inside got crowded. On especially busy nights, such as Mondays, cold weather could make space hard to come by.
"Monday nights are a little more dense," he said.
But decreased business and crowded interiors are all a part of crowded in Kansas, Magerl said. He said he was used to the fact that he could never count on nice weather in the winter.
Cory Miller, employee of Quinton's Bar & Deli, 615 Mass. St., said the business had fewer customers in the winter. He said because fewer patrons preferred the patio when it was cold, fewer people could enter because of reduced capacity. Miller, Chicago junior, said colder temperatures did not affect his going out habits.
Chris Lasister, Olathe junior, said he went to the bars more in the winter months.
"I don't want to go to people's houses, so I'd rather go to bars more," he said.
He said it did not matter to him if the patients were closed.
"If it's cold, I just stay inside," he said.
Local volunteers to pair with show to help area kids
By Kyle Ramsey
kramsey@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Edited by Jessica Hood
The Center for Community Outreach will work with a national television program to brighten the holiday season for hundreds of Lawrence-area children.
For the sixth consecutive year, the KU Center for Community Outreach and NBC's Today show will present their children's holiday party from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11, at the Kansas Union Ballroom.
CCO officials expect more than 600 children will attend the party, which is open to any child in the Lawrence area.
"They really have a good time," she said. "The little kids really like it."
"Anyone who wants to come to the party can come," said Shannon Cline, CCO member and co-coordinator for the project.
About 400 of those children will come from the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence's seven locations. The organization will bus kindergarten through high school-aged members to the party, said Carolyn Masinton, director of operations.
Each child will receive a gift donated by the Today show and The Boys and Girls' Club of Lawrence. CCO will provide refreshments.
"Anyone who wants to come to the party can come."
Shannon Cline
CCO member and co-coordinator
for the project
Children who attend the party will make greeting cards for Lawrence Memorial Hospital patients and Lawrence-area nursing home residents. Santa Claus and Baby Jay will also be at the party.
Students who want to volunteer at the party can contact Cline in the CCO office at 864-4073. Volunteers will help set up and clean up the ballroom, wrap gifts and chaperone the event.
Free parking will be available in the Mississippi Street parking garage, north of the Kansas Union.
CCO receives a grant each year from the Today show. Money for the grant comes from national, regional and local businesses and is then distributed to cities nationwide.
Each year since the grant was awarded six years ago. CCO has received 1,000 toy donations and will continue to receive the donations annually as long as it continues to meet grant guidelines.
— Edited by Christina Neff
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