AUGUST 15.2005
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SHOPPING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
5D
Unique shops allow you to customize
BY SAMARA NAZIR
editor@kansan.com
editor WORKS WRITER
Some might see Lawrence as simply a great college town for nightlife and social atmosphere, but Lawrence, like nearby Kansas City, also has diverse and plentiful shopping opportunities. Here's a quick guide to the high- and low-end shopping in Lawrence and some of the variety of options for student shoppers.
Downtown Lawrence
Urban Outfitters, 1013 Massachusetts St., is a trend, citysleek clothing shop that can still fit into a student budget. With frequent "dollar-item sales" and the seasonal price slashing of more expensive items, Urban caters to the thrifty college shopper with a range of low to medium prices. It's eclectic styles, bright colors, and bohemian-inspired outfits present a little something for every clothing taste. Urban has vintage and ethnic clothing, home decorating supplies, handbags, earrings, necklaces, shoes, books, games, dishes and furniture.
Hobbs, 700 Massachusetts St., features a similar concept as Urban in its wacky and original gifts. Hobbs also sells clothing, but its designer styles carry higher price tags, although the threads do allow you to customize your style.
Downtown Lawrence also has unique places to find ultra-trendy clothing for females. Kieu's, 738 Massachusetts St., and Britches Clothing Co., 843 Massachusetts St., provide the latest fashion with cheap finds and high-dollar items. Clothes in Britches can run anywhere from $15 to $200. The shop carries brand names such as
Guess Jeans. Spectators, 710 Massachusetts St., also carries high-end, quality women's apparel. This local shop is perfect for a woman who doesn't want to worry about being seen in the same dress as another guest at a party. Spectators carry only a few sizes of each dress or outfit to ensure the women of Lawrence are stylish and unique when attending events.
Ginger & Maryanne, 914 Massachusetts St., is another high-dollar shop with prices as high as $130 for designer label jeans. Ginger & Maryanne also carry a wide variety of jewelry to accessorize their stylish, trendy outfits, although the pricetags on their items might dip deep into your wallet.
For a flip-flop haven, visit Shark's Surf Shop, 813 Massachusetts St. Shark's carries brands like Reefs and Crocks in more colors, textures and styles then even the most hardcore beachbum will need.
The cost for flip-flops is slightly higher here — ranging from $20 to $35 — than what you might find at Target or Payless Shoes, but the brands are well known and the shoes will last you more than one fleeting summer.
If you have a fancy for British goods, treat yourself to Cadbury chocolate or English cookies
Third Planet Imports, 846 Massachusetts St., and Creation Station, 726 Massachusetts St., carry a wide variety of merchandise like hemp, jewelry, incense and candles for lower prices and in a groovy, try-it-to-see-if you-like-it atmosphere. Creation Station sells a variety of tie-dyed and locally-made clothing. Third Planet buys locally-owned products and also sells imported items.
at Brits, 929 Massachusetts St. Brits carries British memorabilia, movies and books as well as smaller gifts. But beware: These English treats are all imported from across the Pond and they don't come cheap.
Sell-Buy-Trade
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
If you're on a tight budget, you can sell and trade your clothing at stores like Wild Man Vintage, 939 Massachusetts St., and Arizona Trading Co., 734 Massachusetts St. These stores allow you to sell your used clothing for in-store credit or cash, and with the racks and racks of vintage duds and one-of-a-kind styles, using in-store credit at either shop will guardee you a unique style. If you're looking to pawn off your music and books as well as your threads, go to Kief's Downtown Music, 823 Massachusetts St., and the Dusty Bookshelf, 708 Massachusetts St. Both stores use the same concept of buy and trade, which makes it easy to switch your old music and books for new-to-you entertainment.
Dorm-necessities
Bryan Chausse, Lawrence resident and Shark's Surf Shop employee, checks in new inventory for the summer season. Shark's Surf Shop, 813 Massachussetts St., was established in 1989 and specializes in men's and women's apparel and shoes.
Target, 3201 Iowa St., Pier 1 Imports, 3211 Iowa St., and the World Market, 3106 Iowa St., are great places to find dorm decorations and furniture for a low to medium cost. You might buy the same shower curtain or living room lamp as your next-door neighbor, but you won't spend a month's worth of rent doing it. Urban Outfitters is another option for trendy furniture accents, but the décor there can cost you up to $100 or more. To light up your home go to Eangee Home Design, 933 Massachusetts St. Eangee is a native Lawrence shop and provides uniquely styled lamps starting as low as $49.
Courtney Kuhlen/KANSAN
Courtney Kuhlen/KANSAN
Stephanie Wetschensky, Overland Park junior, browses through the assorted merchandise at Hobbs. It was one stop on her walk through downtown, and she said she had picked up a couple of gag gifts for one of her friend's 21st birthdays.
Found everywhere
If you're homesick for your usual mall-type shopping, Lawrence won't sell you short. Downtown has several corporate chain stores. Find familiarity at The Buckle, 805 Massachusetts St., American Eagle, 619 Massachusetts St., or the Gap, 643 Massachusetts St., where
A window display at Third Planet Imports, 846 Massachusetts St., highlights some of the more unusual merchandise the store carries including a Buddha statue, a fog fountain and colorful sarongs.
the prices and the merchandise are just as you remembered them.
Edited by Andrew Vaupel