14A / NEWS / MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
LAWRENCE
Downtown offers students shopping, food and nightlife
BY ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON
amcnaughtonkansan.com
When Morgan Stewart needed a job, downtown seemed like the logical place to look.
"I chose to work downtown because it's busy, close to my house and I like it," Stewart said.
Stewart, a senior from Topeka, now serves at Jefferson's Restaurant, 743 Massachusetts St. Known for its wings and burgers, Jefferson's dollar-covered walls and laid-back style also contribute to its popularity among students.
The downtown district contains a wide array of restaurants, shops and bars that offer something for everyone.
Jane Pennington, executive director for Downtown Lawrence, Inc., 900 Massachusetts St., said those businesses were housed in authentic, turn-of the 20th-century buildings.
"There has been a great deal of effort to preserve downtown and its historic nature," Pennington said.
New Englanders founded Lawrence in 1854 and from its birth. Lawrence residents have made Massachusetts Street and the downtown area the center of its commercial, political and local activity. That center was threatened, however, when on Aug. 21, 1863 William Quantrill led 300 Missouri men in ransacking the businesses on Massachusetts Street.
The House Building, where Lids and Francis Sporting Goods are currently located, was the only downtown building left standing from the raid. Carol Francis, a KU journalism alumna, currently owns the building at 731-737 Massachusetts St.
Considered one of the longest running department stores in the country, Weaver's is one of 20 clothing and shoe stores that can be found downtown. Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop, 804 Massachusetts St., Urban Outfitters, 1013 Massachusetts St., and Third Planet, 846 Massachusetts St., are all within walking distance of Weaver's.
More than 150 years after Quantrill's Raid, the only name remaining from the historic birth of downtown is Weaver's Department Store, 901 Massachusetts St.
"The biggest difference between downtown and other shopping districts is that in most cases, you are dealing with the owner" Pennington said. "And when the owner is dealing with the customer, he knows what the customer wants and if he doesn't have it he'll get it for you."
In addition to shopping, at least 20 restaurants can be found on or around Massachusetts Street.
Zen Zero, 811 Massachusetts St., offers Pan-Asian cuisine and vegan-friendly options. For a more upscale evening, Teller's, 746 Massachusetts St., serves Italian food and wine.
Bookstores, like locally owned and operated The Raven, 8 E. Seventh St., banks and gift shops also populate downtown.
Kelsey Richardson/KANSAN
For students looking for a fun night out, downtown has bars such as the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., Quinton's Bar and Deli, 615 Massachusetts St., and the dueling piano bar The Barrel House, 729 New Hampshire St., Each provides a special atmosphere.
"All the bars are within walking distance and there is a good variety of restaurants, which helps make it a vibrant area," Stewart said.
Daniel Lierz, a junior from Topeka, is ready to greet customers outside of Kansas Sampler. Kansas Sampler is just one of many KU apparel shops on Massachusetts Street. Lierz said he enjoys the diversity Massachusetts Street has to offer. "I like all of the shops and everything, and just being able to walk around for hours and see something new everyday," Lierz said.
If students aren't interested in drinking, Liberty Hall Theatre, 644 Massachusetts St. shows art films, while The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, offers shows by local and national artists.
Further enriching the downtown arts scene, beginning on Aug. 27, "Final Friday Artwalk" will
take place downtown on the last Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Galleries will open their doors to visitors and the Lawrence Arts Center,940 New Hampshire St.,will
hold a variety of activities.
"In the evening, all of the places will be open and make it a festive place to be out and about," said Laurie McLane-Higginson, educational consultant at the Lawrence Arts Center. "We want to help make people aware of the art community and bring them in the doors of the center."
Edited by Dana Meredith
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