UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, July 2, 1997
3B
Quantrill's to close its doors
By Dana Brooks
Kansan staff writer
Big business and tax hikes have claimed another victim in downtown Lawrence.
Quantrill's Antique Mall and Flae Market, 811 New Hampshire St., will close its doors July 31.
"The transition is already going on," said Randy Davis, owner of Quarrill's. "The growing popularity and size of Lawrence triggers major retailers, leaving mom-and-pop operations like us not able to afford being here any longer."
Quantrill's Flea Market opened in 1971. Davis bought the flea market in 1976 after the original owner died. He changed the name to Quantrill's Antique Mall in 1993 when the store expanded and began opening daily instead of just during weekends.
Quantrill's three floors provide retail space for 150 vendors.
But increases in property tax and the cost of meetings city codes is forcing Davis to close Quantrill's doors and his vendors to look for new spaces at the end of the month.
Since 1983, Quantrill's property tax has increased 150 percent, Davis said. This year the property value was appraised 16 percent higher, which will increase taxes again.
"This is a small business with small businesses in it," Davis said. "It's too much to overcome with every other expense increasing."
Larry Billings, co-owner of the Antique Mall, 830 Massachusetts St., agreed.
"It's really unfortunate this had to happen," Billings said. "Quantrill's has been there for 26 years; it's a historical site."
Billings said that many of Quantrill's vendors had looked for spaces in the Antique Mall, but Billings had only two spaces available.
Davis said his business future was uncertain.
"It's certainly hard for us to say goodbye to a good, old friend," Davis said.
Gale Garber / KANGAN
Mark Vargo, of Gardner, and his son Jared, shop at Quantrill's Antique Mall and Flea Market, 811 New Hampshire St. The market will close on July 31 due to increased taxes and the expense of meeting city codes.
Center caters to medical needs of student bodies
By Randall Rock, Watkins Chief of Staff Special to the Kansan
Watkins Memorial Health Center was started by students in 1906. The original Watkins Hospital was a gift to students from Elizabeth Watkins in 1931. Student fees have allowed continued improvements of services and facilities. A major renovation is nearing completion, which will provide students and staff with a more efficient, confidential and comfortable facility for health-care delivery.
The Watkins medical staff is comprised of ten board-certified physicians and four certified nurse practitioners. Specialty training in family medicine, internal medicine, gynecology, sports medicine and psychiatry is represented in the staff. Pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray, physical therapy, dietary counseling and health promotions departments allow the complete management of most students' health-care needs under one roof. Counseling and Psychological Services and Testing Services are located on the second floor of Watkins.
Specialty clinics have been developed for gynecological services, sports medicine, anonymous HIV testing, and tuberculosis screening and management
Watkins' services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. during the summer session. An after-hours charge is assigned to unscheduled visits after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on weekends.
During the semester break, July 28 to Aug. 17, weekday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekend coverage will remain the same. Students should utilize the services of Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine St., emergency department when the Watkins team is unavailable.
The student health fee is the student's ticket to this facility. Most nurse-practitioner and physician visits are covered. There is a charge for after-hours services, specialty procedures, lab, X-ray and pharmacy services, but often at a cheaper rate than anywhere else. Campus visitors and University staff have limited access to services at Watkins on a fee-for-service basis. Students not enrolled in summer classes may access services by paying the summer health fee or fee-for-service.
Students with medical conditions requiring close monitoring, frequent lab testing and frequent medication adjustment can coordinate care among their home physicians and the Watkins staff. Lab, X-ray, physical therapy and pharmacy services can be accessed by the home physician's order. Information can be shared by phone, fax or mail, in confidence as appropriate.
Students with asthma, diabetes or other conditions that might require emergency response are encouraged to schedule an appointment to review their histories and outline a treatment plan with a Watkins staff member.
Call Watkins at (913) 864-9500 for further information or for scheduling information. Visit Watkins' Web site at /www.ukans.edu/home/Watkins