Topeka, KS February 2023 by City Lifestyle

The Golden City

Love Local Issue

F E B R UA RY 2 02 3

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2023 Topeka Home Show

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I am blessed to receive your magazine Topeka City Lifestyle. It is a fantastic magazine and though I grew up in Topeka, I find out new things in every subscription. ~ Rob Hays

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JA N UA RY 2 022 | TH E H E A LT H + W E LLN E S S I S S U E

TOPEKA CITY LIFESTYLE

The Golden City

EMAIL FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES BRIAN.RODEHORST@CITYLIFESTYLE.COM CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/TOPEKA FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

EDITOR

The Golden City Love Local Issue

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I am always torn. I find myself torn between resisting the commercialization of another greeting card holiday and indulging in all the sweet excuses to enjoy the season. To do a Valentine’s Day date out or enjoy a cozy night at home? To buy a card or just say a kind word? I usually land somewhere a little in between. We’ll each arrive at different answers based on our preferences and personalities, but what we hold in common is an opportunity to make sure those around us know we love them. And regardless of how you choose to celebrate, we hope the pages of this month’s magazine will help you do just that as we celebrate and highlight what’s to love in our Golden City. I was able to celebrate “love” last month in a way I never thought I would. I was asked by a dear friend to be the officiant of her wedding right here in Topeka. Shock was the first emotion after being asked. In my mind, I declined, but with my mouth, I said that I would have to think about it. In my heart, I warmed up to the idea because of the honor and privilege it bestowed on me. The thought of her and her fiancé thinking enough of me to ask and the faith they had in me to perform such an important duty overwhelmed me and, well, how could I say no. So, I am now an ordained officiant with one beautiful wedding under my belt. While we teeter between the chill of January winter and the excitement of spring, we hope you’ll be inspired to take a moment to come together with the people in your life the ones in your home and on your street. And the ones in your neighborhood and your community. “Love local” refers to your local businesses, and those in your community - but it also means loving what is nearby, those under your own roof included. So, grab some take home chili from Little Russia and head home for a game night around the fire with the family. Or snag a bottle of wine and some chocolate from Hazel Hill and indulge in a movie night in. Thanks for letting us be a part of the life you’re building, whatever that may look like. Happy February!

Thomas Hall | thomas.hall@eagleaerialworld.com Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com

K AT H Y G R A H A M , E D I TO R @TOPEK ALIFEST YLE

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STAFF WR ITER S

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com Linda Ditch | lindaaditch@gmail.com Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com STAFF PHOTOGR APHER S

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Topeka City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Topeka area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Topeka City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

H O M E AT L A S T A retail store featuring

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Refresh Your Home

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Home Update

Maker’s Studio

Local’s Choice

Fashion Forward

Eat Right

Realty Report

Long-lasting, beautiful options that save time and don’t break the bank

20 Sew Beautiful

Turn high-quality fabrics into a personalized wardrobe full of style and color

26 Love and Chocolate Should be Savored World class confection-a family tradition

36 Honoring the Past with Chili Following a legend

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Thomas Hall - Eagle Aerial Solutions Decadent, made-from-scratch, handcrafted chocolates from the Golden City’s very own Hazel Hill Chocolate.

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

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1: Nature’s Image Aquatic Design 2: Visit Blue Dot Service at the Topeka Home Show Feb 10-12th 3: Visit Modern Masonry at the Topeka Home Show Feb 10-12th

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

BE INVOLVED TOPEKA SENT Strengthening and Equipping Neighborhoods At SENT, we walk side-by-side with our neighbors, working within under-resourced communities in Topeka and Shawnee County. From community activists, pastors, business persons, and more, we want to see every community thrive. Through loving relationships, we develop trust and cooperation among residents and neighborhoods. Trust and cooperation among neighbors helps to build resilient communities and strengthens social capital. Strengthening and equipping neighborhoods together. For more information and to get involved visit senttopeka.com.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Topeka Home Show February 10th - 12th

The Refinery Medical Aesthetics at Sakred Salon

The 2023 Home Show will be held Friday, Feb 10th, 12 pm – 6pm, Saturday, Feb 11th, 9am – 6pm, and Sunday, Feb 12th, 10am – 4pm. This year, we celebrate the Home Shows' 60th Anniversary, and we are working to ensure it will be the biggest and best that the Topeka area has seen. The show will take place at the newly renovated “Stormont Vail Event Center”.

The Refinery Medical Aesthetics provides non-surgical aesthetic treatments aimed at improving the appearance of you skin. Owner, Sarah Jepson, is a board certified Nurse Practitioner offering wrinkle relaxing services such as Botox and Dysport, dermal fillers for age related volume loss or contouring, and chemical peels to smooth and even skin tone from damage caused by aging and sun damage. Please visit www.therefinerymed.com or on Facebook for more information and to schedule your free consultation.

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We Want You! Get Sauced in Downtown Topeka Shane Roberts is the owner of SMR BBQ LLC. His exclusive recipes of eleven bbq sauces and six dry rubs are available for purchase at Hunter & Laine Boutique & Gift Shop in downtown Topeka! If bloody Mary mixes are your jam, they will be available soon. His Alabama white sauce seems to be the favorite of most people. If you'd like to peruse the entire selection and make you order online, visit smrbbq.com

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Refresh Your Home Long-lasting, beautiful options that save time and don’t break the bank ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL Wanting to update outdated and worn surfaces around the home is a common desire, but some homeowners may not be able to afford the cost or want to be inconvenienced by the time it takes to have those items replaced. What many don’t realize is there are alternatives. “We’ve spent 18 years educating people through our marketing about refinishing,” says Karen Brumleve, who owns Michael’s Resurfacing in Topeka along with her husband, Michael. “We’ve been talking to realtors, plumbers, contractors, and homeowners and letting them know what we can do.” For example, explains Michael, people don’t realize that you can refinish a tub, which is one of the most commonly

requested jobs. “They often ask if it’s going to look painted, and I always tell them if your tub looks painted after we’re done spraying it, we did something horribly wrong. It should not look like it’s been refinished.” Ripping out a bathtub also means dealing with the walls and flooring that go around it, as well as the possibility of potential plumbing issues. “That may take a week or more from start to finish, whereas we’re in and out in two days, and you don’t have to deal with the mess and cost of demolition,” he says. Kitchen countertops are also ideal surfaces to refinish. “When I’m looking at kitchen countertops, more times than not it’s good solid material, but it’s dated. CONTINUED >

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E SE RVI CE S

Before

After

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“They’ll call not really knowing what questions to ask, and by the time I finish talking, they feel like they have enough information to make a decision.”

After being in a house for 25 - 30 years, it’s also usually showing a lot of wear and tear.” Rather than ripping them out and replacing them, Michael and his team can remake them into exactly the look you want. “We can make them look like stone or quartz with the colors that we have. We bring all the colors to you so we can see what the color schemes look like with your cabinets, your backsplashes and lighting.” One particular job the company handled was for a homeowner who had a reasonably large kitchen, about 50 square feet. “He took a picture of his sister-inlaw’s kitchen and she had real granite,” says Michael. “He wanted that look, but he couldn’t afford granite. Our son, Jacob, and I went into the shop and we started mixing and combining colors to try to get something as close to his picture as we could, and lo and behold, we created two custom colors. We sprayed out a sample, gave it to him, and he fell in love with it. Those two colors have been very popular ever since.” “When people come into the showroom,” says Karen, “they are absolutely amazed with what can be done. It’s a wow factor because it is really beautiful.” Refinishing, however, is not only for the inside of the home. “With concrete, we can do anything from driveways and sidewalks

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E SE RVI CE S

to front porches, back patios, and swimming pool decks,” says Michael. They can also put down epoxy floor coatings in garages, which has become very popular. In addition to looking great, the finished product is formulated to last. “Our vendors have chemists on staff whose jobs it is to figure out how to improve the adhesion of our materials,” he says. “What we’re doing is a long-term solution. It’s not a band aid fix and it should easily last between 15 and 20 years.” The more people learn about refinishing, the more attractive it becomes, and Karen enjoys speaking with them and answering all their questions. “They’ll call not really knowing what questions to ask, and by the time I finish talking, they feel like they have enough information to make a decision.” Adds Michael, “When people call us, they generally have a problem, and we have a solution for that problem.” Michael’s Resurfacing is a true family business. “Jacob is our lead technician, and our daughter Bethany has taken over a lot of my administrative type duties,” says Karen. Come and see us at the Topeka Home Show February 10th, 11th, & 12th held at Stormont Vail Event Center. We will be in booths #155, 158, & 159. To find out more, go to michaelsresurfacing.com.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

T U R N H I G H - Q U A L I T Y FA B R I C S

Sew Beautiful

I N TO A P E R S O N A L I Z E D WA R D R O B E F U L L O F S T Y L E A N D C O LO R

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL

As a young girl, Linda Lee used to make clothes for her dolls, and she quickly moved from hand sewing to using her mother’s sewing machine. “I loved playing with my dolls, and the clothes I made were quite fashionable,” she says. “They had monograms and sequins.” As a young woman, she began making clothing for herself. “I was making suits and coats - everything except for sweaters and jeans,” says Linda. Later, she graduated with a degree in interior design from Kansas State University, and spent many successful years in that career, but still continued to sew. However, access to quality fabrics was getting difficult. “All the stores in Topeka where you could go buy great fabrics closed,” she says. “I wanted to sew on Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Bill Blass fabrics and not on cheap cotton or whatever was available.” So, she hired Karen Latish from Kansas City to teach her how to buy fabrics from brokers in New York. In 1991, she purchased The Sewing Workshop, a sewing school in San Francisco, and began producing a pattern collection under the same name. She eventually sold the school, but kept the name and brought the pattern collection and the production of those to Topeka. “These designs were based on some influences of the San Francisco Asian culture,” says Linda. “They were very Japanese and asymmetric and really interesting, intriguing patterns.”

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | STY LE + BE AUTY

the

D E TA I L S

Patterns used to be in print. “In the old days, we would hand draw the patterns on vellum and do what’s called paste up - the lettering, sizing and labels. We used to use McCall’s printing service in Manhattan, Kansas, but that closed, so everything we do now is digital. We digitize the patterns, which is quicker, and people can download them from all over the world.” All of the drawings, grading, pattern work and production is done in house. For the fashion illustration, which is on the cover of the patterns, Linda uses an illustrator out of New York.

She also opened a fabric store in Topeka called Threadwear. “Ultimately, I closed this retail fabric store and brought everything into a different platform when the internet came along. A website was developed and all of a sudden we became an online company where we sold patterns and fabrics.” When it came to creating patterns, Linda incorporated many of her interior design skills. “There’s a certain engineering to making a pattern and there’s certainly

an engineering process of putting an interior together. I became very comfortable in the interior design world with combining textures and patterns and colors, and that really translated into what we do here.” Today, a big part of The Sewing Workshop’s success is also its online sewing classes. “Sew Confident! Class in a Flash is our year-long subscription online learning platform,” she says. “Every month we produce a new pattern or a variation on a pattern, and I teach a video class on CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

how to make that garment from start to finish. We back that up with a kit that includes everything needed to make it, from the fabric and the thread to the buttons, zippers, and elastic. There are also printed materials on variations of the pattern that can be printed off or that show how to get ready to make the pattern or the garment. We have a planning board that we do that shows the building of these projects as well.” Adds Linda, “I also host a Facebook Live every Tuesday, and I reveal techniques and talk about style and color.” Also offered are special event workshops that take place in Topeka and overseas. “We’ve been teaching workshops in Southern France at a place called Chateau Dumas and running a textile tour to London about once a year.” She also resources fabrics from all over the world, including Japan, Canada, England, Italy, France, Denmark, and Belgium. “We buy high-end designer fabrics and follow all the new emerging and traditional designers as well. We’re looking at those details and copying collar styles and sleeve styles and the general character of what’s out there to stay current. We’re also addressing a body shape and style that’s real.” The number one advantage of making your own clothes, says Linda, is fit. “There aren’t many people who can walk into a store, put something on and it’s perfect. We have a lot of tutorials on fitting and we do a lot of personal fitting, either at our workshops or through email and phone. Another advantage is being able to customize a look in color and general character that you can’t buy in the stores that are near you.” There’s a lot of pride in making something beautiful too. “We have a Facebook group for these yearly series and thousands of our customers love taking photographs of themselves, showing off and getting compliments.” Today, The Sewing Workshop has a told of nine employees, one of whom is her daughter, Alex Woodbury. “She runs our events and our online learning series, and does all of our event planning,” she says.

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | STY LE + BE AUTY

“We do a lot of really interesting combinations of fabrics. We don’t necessarily make one garment out of one fabric, but instead we’re combining fabrics and many colors.” “She also does beautiful and interesting embroidery designs that we sell.” The online shop also offers numerous how-to books that Linda has written, along with the specialized tools needed to be a more precise sewer. To learn more, go to sewingworkshop.com.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

LOCA L’S CH OICE | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL

chocolate savored LOVE AND

SHOULD BE

In the rhythm of life at Hazel Hill chocolate shop, Valentine’s Day is the last big event of a hectic few weeks. Nick Xidis, who owns the shop with his wife, Terry, says they run like crazy in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then they get a couple of weeks off in January to rest before starting on Valentine’s Day. Afterward, things slow down until August, when they have to make chocolates for the coming Christmas season. Such is life when you make every treat you sell. And Hazel Hill creates world-class confections. They have received nine international-level recognitions for various products, including the Whiskey and Spice chocolate that won bronze at the International Chocolate Awards World Finals in November 2022. CONTINUED >

WORLD CLASS CONFECTION-A FAMILY TRADITION FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Nick makes the Whiskey and Spice chocolate, as well as other chocolate varieties, from bean to bar in the shop’s basement chocolate room. This award winner is a bar of 72-percent dark chocolate made with fruity Tanzania’s Kokoa Kamili cacao. In the nib stage, it soaks in Union Horse Craft Distilled Bourbon for several days. Then the nibs are re-dried, removing the water and alcohol and giving it caramel and oaky notes to pair with the fruity taste. The nibs are ground into chocolate, and Vietnamese cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla sourced from Moburts Spice Shop are added for the final flavor profile. Hazel Hill chocolate is made to be savored, much like you would enjoy a nice glass of wine. Perhaps that’s why it’s the perfect gift for a day celebrating love. Nick describes it as feeling a bit sinful, but it’s okay. He also points out that chocolate makes people happy thanks to a bit of help from the theobromine naturally found in cacao. “It’s a way to give somebody something that is a pleasure,” Nick says. “For somebody you care about, that is something you want to do for them to show them you care. You want them to experience a little bit of indulgence and a little bit of happiness.” Unfortunately for Nick, chocolate isn’t the ideal gift for Terry on Valentine’s Day. Laughing, he says, “I get zero points for giving her chocolate. On the husband scale, I get nothing. My wife is a pragmatist. I’m the dreamer and the innovator. She is the grounded person in the relationship. I give flowers, and not just on Valentine’s Day. Sometimes just because.” The couple has been married for 30 years. They have six children and eleven grandchildren. They met at a six-month-long training course in Oklahoma City while working for the Federal Aviation Administration on the computers that process radar data. “Terry was one of the first women to be in that role. They didn’t have ladies’ bathrooms in the workplace when she started,” Nick says. They started as friends who enjoyed playing racquetball, but soon it grew into something more. There was just one obstacle. He lived in Albuquerque,

LOCA L’S CH OICE | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

New Mexico, and she lived in Seattle, Washington. Once the course was over, they continued the long-distance relationship for two years before getting married when there was no Facebook or Zoom to make things easier. “We were burning up the phone lines,” Nick remembers. “My last shift of the week was a midnight shift, so I got off at 8 a.m. on what would be my Friday, and I didn’t have to be back until evening watch on Monday. So, I would get off in the morning, get in my Saab, and drive from Albuquerque to Seattle. I would spend a day and a half with her, and then I would dead-head all the way back to be at work. I had the energy. I was young and very much in love with her.” They still go on dates just about every week. Nick says, “Like any marriage, ours is not perfect. You’re not going to have a relationship where there’s no conflict, or you see things differently. But we’ve always pulled in the same direction in life and always tried to understand from the other’s point of view when we got crosswise with each other. Our faith has also been important. Having faith in your lives, that higher power, helps you weather things that you might otherwise not survive.” The couple opened Hazel Hill in 2005. Nick is a third-generation chocolatier. His great-grandfather and grandfather came to the US from Greece and learned about the chocolate trade in New York City. They shared that passion with Nick. The shop is named after Terry’s grandmother. The biggest-selling Valentine’s Day product for Hazel Hill is its chocolate-covered strawberries. Since they can’t make them ahead of time, they work around the clock on that day, covering hundreds of pounds of strawberries. Then they are boxed up or made into a bouquet reminiscent of a dozen roses. Nick’s advice, especially for “The Dudes,” is to order ahead. “If you’re coming in here at 4 p.m. on February 14th, you’re going to be pretty limited in what you can get. If you want to do something that is special and you want the best, order early. But it’s hard to make a mistake with chocolate.” Visit Hazel Hill at 724 S. Kansas Avenue or online at hazelhillchocolate.com.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

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LET GO OF LIMITING, BELIEFS, PATTERNS AND COPING MECHANISMS

Hop󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪H󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪o󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪o󰇪󰇪

SHOW UP IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE AS THE BEST, MOST AUTHENTIC VERSION OF YOU.

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MONICA FOWLER, IPTF

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lifeshealingjourney.com 2930 Southwest Wanamaker Drive TOPEKA, KANSAS 66614

785-783-8307

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ShamanTopeka.Com 6032 SW 29th St Topeka, KS 66614

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TOPEKA CITY LIFESTYLE™ FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

ELEVATE YOUR CLOSET 5 WAYS TO O R G A N I Z E A N D

Every woman dreams of an organized and beautiful closet space, but it often comes last on the list of places that get their time and attention. Follow our five tips for transforming and elevating your closet as you Spring clean and declutter for a more peaceful, inspired space you absolutely love. A sneak peek inside the closet of active mom and entrepreneur Keri Tarantino of Leawood, KS reveals a dressing room that rivals celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. But it didn’t come easily. Keri painstakingly planned, designed and curated the space with care. When we first stepped inside, we gasped as our eyes beheld the glory. No detail went unnoticed in this dreamy dressing room. Here are some guiding principles that can be drawn from her exquisite taste and vision. How you organize your closet will of course differ based on the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead. But applying the guidelines Keri used in her space will result in a much more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.

USE R EAL ESTATE W ISELY Reserve the front and middle of the closet for clothes worn most often. For someone who gets dressed for work each morning at 6 a.m., work clothes should be at the front of the closet. Store lesser-worn items like formal wear and out-of-season clothes toward the back and on the upper shelves. The large mirror and counter with chair provides the perfect spot to select jewelry and finalize finishing outfit touches. While every closet is different, the key here is everything has a home.

FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AUTY

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

INJECT ST YLE INTO YOUR SPACE

ORGA NIZE BY K IND A ND COLOR

Group clothes by kind first and color second. This ensures quick location of that favorite shirt when it’s needed. Bonus - it’s easy on the eye. Group like with like: Gather belts, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, work pants, dresses, button-down shirts, jeans, shorts, etc., and decide the best place to store each item as a group (e.g., hang pants in the closet, fold and stack sweaters in a bureau). Working with groupings will help you figure out how much space you need and the best way to store each type of item.

03 04 05 NEGATIVE SPACE

Using space efficiently is important, but keep in mind every good design includes some negative space. For instance, consider adding built-ins on the long wall of your closet but keep the short wall open with a mirror.

FACE CLOTHES THE SA ME DIR ECTION

It may seem silly, but when dealing with a small space, little things count. Hanging all clothes the same direction is a no-brainer for continuity in your closet.

UPGR ADED HA NGERS

The simplest and fastest way to make a BIG difference in your closet organization is to get matching hangers that go beyond the traditional plastic or wire hangers. And for sure ditch any with paper from the dry cleaner! Here’s a few of our favorite elevated hangers:

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

BLOOMS ON BOSWELL

Custom Florals

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VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED

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FOR SPRING 2023 Sometimes real estate decisions aren’t based on location but timing. Contact me to learn more.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Honoring the Past with Chili

FOLLOWING A LEGEND

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

EAT R IGH T | FOOD + BEVE RAGE

THE LITTLE RUSSIA CHILI PARLOR

It’s not easy following a legend. Casey McLenon took on the challenge when he bought the Porubsky’s Deli and Tavern building, a landmark in Topeka’s Little Russia neighborhood since 1947. He then joined forces with friend and cook John Tacha to open The Little Russia Chili Parlor in November 2022 with hopes of respecting the past while offering great food to Topeka. “That’s the whole trick,” McLenon points out. “To be in the restaurant business for more than 70 years is incredible. Let’s take what they’ve done and amplify it in a positive way that’s cool. That’s fun.” First on the agenda was an update to the interior. What was once the grocery area is now seating for 30 diners. The 1940s deli case is still where customers place their orders, which are ready on average in two minutes, and the antique butcher block is now a condiment station. The bright, open space is decorated with a railroad theme.

Not many changes were made to the parlor’s bar area, with its dark wood paneling and long wooden bar top. Simpsons figurines line a shelf behind the bar, and vintage beer lighting and signs complete the look. McLenon has a photo from the 1950s featuring businessmen in suits and blue-collar workers enjoying lunch at the bar. “I know there’s an incredible history here with the political people who sat down to talk shop. We hope to get that here again,” he says. The menu still contains items such as a cold plate, hot pickles, pimento cheese, ham salad, and, of course, chili. McLenon hopes customers understand while the taste may be different than they remember, it’s excellent in its own right. He explains, “We didn’t buy the recipes. The name Porubsky wasn’t something they wanted to sell either, and I totally get it. Our whole thought process was, let’s honor what they’ve done and make it go on.” CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

The chili recipe starts with one that the Lawrence Boy Scouts used for decades for their annual chili feed. Tacha then partnered with Al Struttman at Moburts spice shop downtown to create a proprietary chili-seasoning blend. He also added fireroasted tomatoes to the mix. Cinnamon rolls are also on the menu. The gooey, delicious pastries are a Kansas Amish- made product that allows customers to enjoy the traditional pairing they remember from school lunches. Tacha says, “We’ve got a fella that brings his own bowl so he can perfectly fit his cinnamon roll in it and then dump the chili on top.” It is important to Tacha the bowl of chili you get today tastes the same as the one you order tomorrow, next week, or next month. It can be ordered by the bowl, quart, or gallon. Last December, the local fire department ordered four gallons of chili and thirty-six cinnamon rolls because they didn’t want their crew to have to cook on Christmas day. The pimento cheese, ham salad, and bread and butter pickles come from Tacha’s grandmother’s recipes. He also came up with a horseradish-based hot pickle similar to the ones beloved by longtime customers, but with a little less heat. However, he does have a wicked- hot variety for those looking to clear out their sinuses. Menu items can be ordered ahead on the restaurant’s website, 508pickles.com. Plus, the bar area can be reserved for meetings and parties. McLenon says just about everyone who comes in has a memory to share. He enjoys hearing them and hopes new ones are made and shared. “It isn’t the same as before, but I hope the spirit is similar,” he says. “A lot of people have some connection to this place. We want to carry it on, making sure there’s something here to support this little neighborhood of 42 houses, the North Topeka and Oakland neighborhoods, and then all of Topeka. I want this place to continue to generate good stories.”

EAT R IGH T | FOOD + BEVE RAGE

love

local!

3109 SW Huntoon St. • Topeka, KS • Phone: (785) 357-5194 Facebook: @patiopoolandfireside • Web: patiopoolandfireside.com

BEAUTIFUL EVENTS

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• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Home Plus • Skilled Nursing • Memory Care • Short-Term Care • Rehabilitation

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(785) 478-9440 FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

FE BRUARY 2 0 2 3

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Topeka. LIST PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Urban Hills #18

N E I GH BO RH O O D

$320,000

$295,500

92%

Brookfield West

$269,000

$260,000

97%

Sherwood Estates

$269,900

$260,000

96%

Laurens Bay Villas #2

$549,900

$560,000

102%

Downing

$335,000

100%

Pepper Tree Park

$279,000

$290,000

104%

South Branch

$359,000

$355,000

99%

Westbrook

$269,000

100%

Village D

$249,500

$250,000

100%

Spring Hill

$319,900

$325,000

102%

Timber Ridge

$399,900

100%

Shawnee County

$480,000

$472,500

98%

Shawnee County

$489,900

$470,000

96%

Glenwood

$425,000

$380,000

89%

4 2

Murray #5

$272,500

$250,000

92%

Colly Creek

$315,000

$290,000

92%

Sherwood Estates #20

$280,000

$267,000

95%

3 3

Timber Ridge #2

$429,000

$427,000

100%

109

Shawnee County

$670,000

100%

Clarion Woods

$550,000

$530,000

96%

4 3

Shawnee County

$435,000

$445,000

102%

Beisecker

$289,900

$274,500

95%

Shawnee County

$575,000

$560,000

97%

Hickory Ridge Estates #9

$539,777

$540,000

100%

Sherwood Estates

$575,000

$565,000

98%

This reflects a 30 day time period prior to our print deadline. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and not a complete list of all activity. *DOM=Days on Market

From your vision...to reality

WE BUILD MORE THAN NEW HOMES, WE BUILD NEIGHBORHOODS. Annette Stahl 785-383-3157 | annette@stoneandstory.com | www.dultmeierhomes.com

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | R EAL E STATE

homes

DARIN STEPHENS FOUNDER & CEO

(785) 250-7278 darin@stoneandstory.com stoneandstory.com The Lakehouse

5 bed | 4 bath | breathtaking views Scan the QR code to find out more information on this 4 story Victorian home and all of our current listings.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR. SPACE IS LIMITED

Visit our website to apply or schedule a campus tour. We are the only non-parochial independent school in Shawnee County, placing students at the center of the learning experience and passionately developing the next generation of leaders equipped with skills for life.

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A P P LY T O D A Y

Our office is ready to ROCK! We look forward to seeing you and your smile!

We care about your family's eyes as much as you do! 785.271.8989 | 1107 SW GAGE BLVD. | FECTOPEKA.COM

2300 Southwest 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611

785.267.6120 | jaredfoxdds.com

Available with our SIGNATURE and ULTIMATE washes • Fights corrosion from salt and slush • Sprayed on during the rinse process • Maximum protection from the elements

charlies.com | (785) 783-0795 | 1251 SW Ashworth Pl. (corner of Wanamaker & Huntoon)

Jen’ss Jen’

- House and Commercial Cleaning LLC -

jenshousecleaning.com

785-286-2463

• Home/Office • Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning • Rental Make-Ready • New Home Final Phase • Spot/Stain Removal • Deodorizing • Window Washing • Bio-recovery

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Keep up in downtown!

GET READY FOR AN ACTION-PACKED SEASON! EVERGY PLAZA HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

• Summer Series • Live @ Lunch • Envista’s Eats & Beats • Friday Flicks

Upcoming Events: Topeka IrishFest 2023 Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

March 18th For more information

visit topekairishfest.com

VISIT OUT FACEBOOK PAGE OR WEBSITE FOR ADDITONAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SEASON OF EVENTS

evergyplaza.com

630 South Kansas Avenue | Topeka, Kansas