Lawrence thrives when it celebrates its residents for their unique skills and services. That’s why we are proud to print the Best of Lawrence magazine—a publication that champions nominees, finalists and winners and highlights a welcoming community full of opportunity for all.
This year’s results are based on online community voting that took place during the entire month of February and included a few new categories not previously represented in past competitions.
You’ll see some young faces as you flip through this issue, a hat tip to the power of the next generation, as well as to the youth and vitality of Lawrence. The energy and spirit of our community makes Lawrence one of the best places to live. We believe in it, and we hope you do, too.
Here’s to the best of Lawrence!
—Best of Lawrence staff
Allie, Allison, Amanda, Bob, Jean, Jenni, Joanne, Kelly, Kristin, Leslie, Nathan, Nick, Scott and Shelly
ON THE COVER SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING
Little Naismith shows off his peach basket (and one of his favorite places to take an out-oftowner—Allen Fieldhouse).
Photograph by Brian Goodman with illustration by Lana Grove.
DIRECTOR
Bob Cucciniello
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Shelly Bryant
ADVERTISING
Joanne Morgan
785.832.7264
ART DIRECTOR
Jenni Leiste
EDITORS
Kelly Gibson
Nathan Pettengill
COPY EDITOR
Leslie Andres
AD DESIGNER
Amanda Nagengast
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Fally Afani
Kevin Anderson
Bianca Brown
Brian Goodman
Racheal Major
Nicolette Sessin
Michael C. Snell
Emily Steele
Bill Stephens
Doug Stremel
CHILD MODELS
Harrison L. (Little Naismith)
Anna N. (Hotdog Baby)
Grayson B. (Mechanic) Evan B. (Chocolate Milk Drinking Audrey Hepburn)
Donovin G. (Chef)
Gideon G. (Banker) Elena I. (Florist)
Kadence D. (Surgeon)
ILLUSTRATOR
Lana Grove
LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
PUBLISHER
Scott Stanford
ONLINE VOTING DIRECTOR
Nick Gerik
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & DIGITAL ADVERTISING
Allison Wilson
Photograph by Brian Goodman
11
BEST FOOD & DINING
Overall Menu, New Restaurant, Bakery, Thai Food, Breakfast Spot ... and more
31
BEST COMMUNITY
Shop Pet(s), Local Non-Profits, Art Galleries ... and more
45
BEST SHOPPING
Music Store, Pets and Pet Supplies, Window Display ... and more
57
BEST HEALTH & FITNESS
Hiking/Biking Trail, Eyewear or Vision Center ... and more
71
BEST SERVICES
Hair Salon, Pet Care, Veterinarian, Photographer ... and more
85
BEST ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
Local Band, Happy Hour ... and more
by Brian Goodman
Photograph
BREAKDOWN OF VOTES BY CATEGORY
25,147
REGISTERED ACCOUNTS
CATEGORIES WITH MOST OVERALL VOTES
BAKERY
AMERICAN CUISINE
HAIR STYLIST
BREAKFAST SPOT
BAR
LOCAL STORE OWNER
EVENT (annual) BARTENDER
Mini-articles
An overview of the story formats in this magazine
A short profile of one of the five finalists and the approach that has won them loyal fans
An up-close, adventurous exploration of a specific category
An overview of the unique aspects that defined this year’s finalists in a particular category
Explanations of choices from verified voters selected as a focus group from this year’s ballot VOTER’S VOICE
Businesses and people who have regularly appeared in the top finishers in their categories for the past three years
GUIDE TO...
What sets apart the top three finishers? Here are some crucial factors that define each of them
205
CATEGORIES ON THE BALLOT
28 DAYS IN THE CONTEST
SYLAS & MADDY’S (Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt)
MUNCHERS BAKERY (Place to Buy a Doughnut)
THE BURGER STAND (Hamburger)
LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY (Local Non-Profit [Land, Preservation, Animals])
INDIA PALACE (Indian Food)
BIEMER’S BBQ (Barbecue)
LADYBIRD DINER (Diner)
LADYBIRD DINER (Place to Get Pie)
THE TOY STORE (Toy Store)
EILEEN’S COLOSSAL COOKIES (Cookie)
The Photographers
BRIAN GOODMAN Cover, Section Openers and Repeat Contenders
FALLY AFANI Candids of the Best of Lawrence finalists
WA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Best Sushi
Open since 2001, Wa is a Mass. Street staple and a sushi lover’s dream. Whether you’re looking for a classic spicy tuna roll, or you want to eat a bit more creatively (try the Kansas roll!), you’ll find a seaweedwrapped work of art at Wa. Bonus: they have several veggie-friendly rolls!
and the winners are ...
AMERICAN CUISINE
1) Free State Brewing Company
2) The Burger Stand
3) Ladybird Diner
4) 23rd Street Brewery
5) Merchants Pub & Plate
ASIAN FOOD (NON-CHINESE)
1) Ramen Bowls
2) Zen Zero
3) Encore Cafe
4) Little Saigon Café
5) Thai Diner
BAKERY
1) Munchers Bakery
2) WheatFields Bakery Cafe
VOTER’S VOICE
“Wake the Dead has absolutely the best doughnuts I have ever tasted! The biscuits are also scrumptious.”
—Julia
3) 1900 Barker Bakery & Cafe
4) Great Harvest Bread Co.
5) Eileen’s Colossal Cookies
BARBECUE
1) Biemer’s BBQ
2) Bigg’s Barbecue
3) Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q
4) Mr. Bacon BBQ
5) Leeway Franks
BARISTA
1) Chelsea Rae, The Roost
2) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig
2) Bella VanLandingham, 1900 Barker Bakery & Cafe
4) Alycia Futrelle, The Bourgeois Pig
5) Jacob Hindman, Alchemy Coffee & Bake House
BREAKFAST SPOT
1) The Roost
2) Ladybird Diner
3) Milton’s
4) The Big Biscuit
5) First Watch
BURRITO
1) Burrito King
2) Chipotle Mexican Grill
3) El Potro
4) Taco Zone
5) Border Bandido
CATERER
1) Maceli’s
2) Evan Williams Catering
3) Culinaria
4) Hy-Vee
5) Merchants Pub & Plate
CHEF
1) Rick Martin, LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
2) TK Peterson, Merchants Pub & Plate
3) Brad Walters, The Basil Leaf Café and Sully & Hanks
4) Daniel Galina, Maceli’s
5) Tim Quillin, Ladybird Diner
CHINESE FOOD
1) Encore Cafe
2) Jade Garden
3) China House
4) Oriental Bistro & Grill
5) King Buffet
COOKIE
1) Eileen’s Colossal Cookies
2) Hot Box Cookies
3) WheatFields Bakery Cafe
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Munchers Bakery
DELIVERY
1) Pizza Shuttle
2) Ramen Bowls
3) Jimmy John’s
4) Rudy’s Pizzeria
5) Minsky’s Pizza
DESSERT
1) Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream
2) Ladybird Diner
3) WheatFields Bakery Cafe
4) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
5) Dairy Queen
DINER
1) Ladybird Diner
2) The Roost
3) The Levee Cafe
4) Leeway Franks
5) The Big Biscuit
Photographs by Fally Afani, Racheal Major
LUCKYBERRY JUICE CAFE
Best New Restaurant
Where healthy and fast meet, Luckyberry is the perfect Lawrence place. Stop in for a smoothie bowl, some fresh sushi, or treat yourself to a swirl or two of dairy-free soft-serve. All salads and soups are locally sourced and perfect for a quick lunch or a meal on the go—which is good if you have a busy day full of shopping along Mass. Street ahead of you.
4 I voted for Biemer’s BBQ because I adore their vinegar sauces and fried green beans (plus the owners are some of my favorite people in Kansas).
—Erin Friedrich
and the winners are ...
DINING AMBIANCE
1) 715
2) Merchants Pub & Plate
3) Bon Bon
4) J. Wilson’s
5) Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar
FAST FOOD
1) Chipotle Mexican Grill
2) Chick-fil-A
3) Burrito King
4) Culver’s
5) Raising Cane’s
FRENCH FRIES
1) The Burger Stand
2) Five Guys
3) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
4) Dempsey’s Burger Pub
5) McDonald’s
VOTER’S VOICE
FRESH PRODUCE
1) Checkers
2) Lawrence Farmers Market
3) Sprouts Farmers Market
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Dillons
GROCERY STORE
1) Dillons
2) Checkers
3) Hy-Vee
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Sprouts Farmers Market
HAMBURGER
1) The Burger Stand
2) Dempsey’s Burger Pub
3) Five Guys
4) Johnny’s Tavern
5) Burgers By Bigg’s
ICE CREAM OR FROZEN YOGURT
1) Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream
2) Orange Leaf
3) Cold Stone Creamery
4) Dairy Queen
5) Luckyberry Juice Cafe
Photograph by Fally Afani
BURRITO KING
Angelina Cruz first came to Burrito King as a customer about 10 years ago. She was ordering her food when she noticed exactly what she wanted—the chef who was bringing in kitchen supplies and walking by her car.
“He wasn’t on the menu though, he was a la cart,” explains Angelina.
A few years later, Angelina and the chef—Maximo—were married and had bought the popular drive-thru restaurant on 9th Street.
Since then, Angelina and Maximo have continued to shake things up with the menu, adding more vegetarian options, rice bowls and a line of salsas. There are some misses—this year’s all-you-can-eat Cinco de Mayo taco buffet wasn’t quite the hit the Cruzes had hoped for, but the couple is already planning new events and menu items.
And of course, they’ll keep selling what they are known for.
“We’re developing new burritos, but we’ll always have them—we’re the Burrito King, after all,” says Angelina.
Angelina and Maximo have continued to shake things up with the menu
and the winners are ...
INDIAN FOOD
1) India Palace
2) Bayleaf Indian Restaurant and Bar
3) Cosmos Indian Store & Cafe
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Cafe Spice, KU Dining
INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL FOOD GROCER
1) Au Marché
2) Checkers
3) Mediterranean Market & Cafe
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Brits
ITALIAN FOOD
1) The Basil Leaf Cafe
2) Paisano’s Ristorante
3) Genovese
4) 715
5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
LUNCH SPOT
1) Terrebonne
2) Free State Brewing Company
3) WheatFields Bakery Cafe
4) Ramen Bowls
5) Ladybird Diner
MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
1) The Mad Greek
2) Aladdin Cafe
3) Mediterranean Market & Cafe
4) Culinaria
5) Pita Pit
MEXICAN FOOD
1) El Potro
2) Cielito Lindo
3) Port Fonda
4) Mi Ranchito
5) Taco Zone
NEW RESTAURANT
1) Lawrence Beer Company
2) Sully & Hanks
3) Blue Moose
4) Luckyberry Juice Cafe
5) Culinaria
OUTDOOR DINING
1) Bon Bon
2) Cielito Lindo
3) Sully & Hanks
4) La Tropicana
5) 23rd Street Brewery
by
Photographs
Brian Goodman, Doug Stremel
Kristy Masterson, Maximo Cruz and Helana Tsose of Burrito King
CHELSEA RAE
1
Best Barista
For nearly two decades, Chelsea has served the coffee-lovers of Lawrence with sincerity and heart. Not only is Chelsea one of the top baristas in Lawrence, she is the 24th best in the country, proving her mettle at the 2018 U.S. Coffee Championships in Seattle in April. Exuding passion and art in what she does makes the coffee experience unforgettable, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better cup than hers.
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
Best Lunch Spot
QUICK, FRIENDLY SERVICE
Whether you’re on a lunch break from work or out for a leisurely meal with friends or family, lunch spot service is key. And service can’t be rivaled from a lunch spot like Free State Brewing Company
INVITING
ATMOSPHERE
Warm, bright, friendly. Lunch spots, like Ramen Bowls, must offer an escape from cubicle life or impress your out-of-town guests with how charming Lawrence can be.
LIGHTER FARE
Soups, salads and sandwiches are classic lunch combinations for a reason! Find an outstanding selection of all three meals at Wheatfields
OVERALL MENU
1) Free State Brewing Company
2) Merchants Pub & Plate
3) 23rd Street Brewery
4) 715
5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
OVERALL RESTAURANT
1) Free State Brewing Company
2) Merchants Pub & Plate
3) 715
4) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
5) Ladybird Diner
PIZZA
1) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
2) Papa Keno’s Pizzeria
3) Rudy’s Pizzeria
4) Minsky’s Pizza
5) Pizza Shuttle
PLACE FOR COFFEE
1) Alchemy Coffee & Bake House
2) La Prima Tazza
3) Decade
4) Z’s Divine Espresso
5) J&S Coffee Company
PLACE FOR TEA
1) House of Cha
2) t. Loft
3) Decade
4) Mana Bar: Exotic Beverages
4) McAlister’s Deli
PLACE TO BUY A DOUGHNUT
1) Munchers Bakery
2) Ladybird Diner
3) Wake The Dead Breakfast Bar
4) Dunkin’ Donuts
5) Alchemy Coffee & Bake House
PLACE TO GET PIE
1) Ladybird Diner
2) Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
3) WheatFields Bakery Cafe
4) Alchemy Coffee & Bake House
5) The Merc Co+op
RESTAURANT DISH
1) Brussels Sprouts, Merchants Pub & Plate
2) Margherita Pizza, LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
Intimate, upscale but not pretentious, 715’s ambiance has something for every kind of dining experience. With a reasonable Massachusetts-facing patio, as well as a charming bar, 715 really has it all—plus guests can dine by natural light or enjoy the warmth of Edison bulbs for a more intimate dinner experience. Pair a fine wine with a fine meal and you’ll feel like you’re on a leisurely European vacation. Local, fresh, flavorful, the food and the atmosphere are an enviable match.
Photograph by Fally Afani
BEST TACOS
1
Laid-Back College Crowd
Baja-style tacos with butt-burning sauce from Fuzzy’s Taco Shop are where it’s at. You’ll crave their tempura tacos, we promise.
4
Upscale
Port Fonda’s gourmet tacos that pair way too well with a margarita flight. Catch their taco Tuesday deal for a real treat.
5
Authentic
Fresh, homemade tortillas give these tacos an edge. Served in a bright convenience-store setting, La Estrella Tienda Mexicana’s tacos are simply a delight.
DEMPSEY’S BURGER PUB
2
Best Hamburger
This Irish pub serves up a mean burger—well, several mean burgers. Ranging from a classic cheeseburger to a thai peanut butter burger, Dempsey’s selection has something for every palate, including our vegetarian friends. The black bean burger is unforgettable. And don’t forget to add a side (or basket) of fries for the full experience. Fire fries give you an extra kick, but the duck fat fries are something special.
1 BEST ITALIAN FOOD GUIDE TO...
Seasonal Fusion
Where gnocchi meets poutine, The Basil Leaf Café turns Italian on its head. And we like it. The menu rotates with the season, but you can still get a good plate of spaghetti and meatballs any time.
2
If one venue sets the bar for restaurant success in Lawrence, it is Free State Brewery. This hometown restaurant is beyond popular—it’s an institution.
In the Best of Lawrence contest, Free State has traditionally been its own fiercest competition. For example, in the “Restaurant Dish” category, its Cheddar Ale Soup goes head-to-head with the Fish and Chips in the Top-5 positions while several other Free State Dishes (like the Black Bean Quesadilla) have taken a spot in the Top-10. And then there are categories such as Overall Menu, Overall Restaurant and Best Wait Staff where Free State traditionally wins or places. It’s not easy remaining at the top—but this establishment seems to have little problem in retaining the loyalty of its voters.
Looking for a classic? Look no further than Paisano’s Ristorante, from its family-style salad and breadsticks, perfect pastas and heavenly tiramisu.
3 Standards Done Right
Locally Sourced
By partnering with local farms, Genovese serves fresh and sustainable ingredients in each of its dishes.
Ian Sotomayor of Free State Brewery
Photographs by Bianca Brown, Brian Goodman
Best Outdoor Dining
A LITTLE SHADE
We can’t depend on the weather to accommodate the need to eat outdoors. The best patios, like the one at Sully and Hank’s, have an umbrella or some shade to protect from too much sun.
A LITTLE PRIVACY
Good patios seem like an oasis (even if they are located on a busy street). Cielito Lindo’s outdoor dining options seem secluded but still offer good people-watching opportunities.
A LOT OF SEATING
When the weather is nice, everyone wants to dine al fresco, so patio seating can be at a premium. At Bon Bon, you have lots of space so you won’t be fighting anyone for a spot outside.
by Fally Afani
Photograph
NO FRY Left Behind
The People Have Chosen the Best French Fries … and Now We Ask, “But What About the Sauce?”
Some think a fry is a fry. But in some culinary universes—this one—a fry does not truly exist until it is paired with a sauce. We went to some of this year’s “Best Fry” finalist establishments to measure up the fry-sauce pairings.
Story and Photos by Bianca Brown
The Burger Stand
1) Guajillo Chili Dip—Thick and creamy with a subdued flavor, this is an acquired taste. Liz Tally, kitchen manager at Burger Stand, picks this as her underappreciated superstar sauce because “it’s got lime, sun-dried tomatoes and fun things that just pop.”
2) Guinness Whole Grain Mustard— Our favorite of the Burger Stand sauces, this is a chunky sauce with a bold, sharp flavor that works best cold.
3) Marshmallow—Is this even allowed? Apparently so, and it is so tempting that it leads to social breakdown. Tally says she has spotted people simply drinking it down alone.
4) Jalapeño Ranch—This sauce hits you with a creamy sensation, and then the smallest kick of jalapeño.
5) Roasted Parmesan Garlic Aioli— Where to begin? This sauce is packed with flavor, each of which comes to you in turn with the roasted sensation lingering at the end.
Dempsey
’s
1) Truffle Cream—Subtle and creamy.
2) Roasted Garlic Aioli—Dempsey’s kitchen manager, Evan Robinson, taps this as the restaurant’s underappreciated superstar. It’s subtle, but teams well with items such as the restaurant’s fire fries cooked in the house blend hot oil made with jalapeños and habanero.
3) Sriracha Aioli—An unexpected but entirely enjoyable match that pairs wonderfully with the house fries. Our favorite Dempsey fry-sauce pairing.
4) Spicy Mustard—As a mustard, this has kick, but it almost overpowers the fry.
LiMESTONE Pizza + Kitchen + Bar
1) Dijon—A truly sharp-tasting mustard.
2) Garlic Aioli—Extra creamy and full-on garlic taste sensation, this sauce was our favorite pairing with LiMESTONE fries.
3) House Ketchup—Sweeter and flatter than ordinary ketchup; in fact it almost seems like a tomato soup— unexpected but yummy.
4) Sweet Chile Sauce—More kick than the other sauces; it runs thinner and requires more dipping.
5) Diavalo Sauce—LiMESTONE owner and executive chef Rick Martin says this is his restaurant’s underappreciated superstar sauce. This spiced and puréed version of pizza sauce is regularly served with the restaurant’s spaghetti squash snack but is available year-round for fries.
Administrative Assistant Art Gallery • Artist (painting, sculpting or mixed media)
Artist (photography or digital images) Bank • Community Leader Credit Union Event (annual) Event (seasonal or reoccurring) • Family Fun Hotel
Lawrence Radio Station Local Non-Profit (Adult/Senior Services) Local Non-Profit (Children/Youth Services) • Local Non-Profit (Family Services)
Local Non-Profit (Land, Preservation, Animals) • Local Store Owner Mascot
Mature Living Community New Business Park Place of Worship
Place to Have Kid’s Birthday Party • Place to Hold Event
Place to Take an Out-of-Towner Place to Work (100+ employees)
Place to Work (under 100 employees) • Podcast • Private Music Lesson Instructor
Shop Pet Social Media (business) Social Media (individual) Social Media (organization or nonprofit) • Teacher (grades K–5) Teacher (grades 6–8) Teacher (grades 9–12) • Teacher (higher ed)
Photograph by Brian Goodman,
MICHAEL HAMM
Photographs by Racheal Major, Kevin Anderson
Best Private Music Lesson Instructor
Guitar instructor Michael Hamm recovered from a serious health crisis this year to return to the music scene, a turn of events that fellow guitar instructor and River City Rock Camp director Adrian Rees believes was “incredibly fortunate” for Lawrence. “Michael has probably taught more musicians in this town than anyone else,” says Rees. “He’s one of the most soulful and tasteful players we have in town. So many guitar players get really good and just want to show you how good they are. Michael could totally show off, but he doesn’t. He does what is best for the band and for the song. He’s listening to everything and always trying to make everyone sound the best.”
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
Best Annual Event
WEIRD
Intentionally offbeat, the Lawrence Busker Festival brings in the crowds to witness unexpected and brilliant human feats, from fire-breathing to aerial juggling.
OLD-TIMEY
Showcasing old-fashioned wagons, high-stepping horses and even Santa Claus, the Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade delights families and children.
ADAPTABLE
One of the city’s longestrunning charity events, the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade continues to evolve and grow to reflect the town’s character.
CLASSIC
Curated and led by some of the city’s leading artists, Art in the Park remains a public showcase of highquality creations with an open-air, festive mood.
and the winners are ...
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
1) Linda Love, Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital
2) Lori Nation, Lawrence Internal Medicine
3) Carrie Combs, Rodrock Chiropractic
4) Amanda Cushing, University of Kansas
5) Emily Boedeker, Pinckney Elementary School
ART GALLERY
1) Lawrence Arts Center
2) Spencer Museum of Art
3) Cider Gallery
4) Phoenix Gallery
5) Wonder Fair
ARTIST (PAINTING, SCULPTING OR MIXED MEDIA)
1) Brian Timmer
2) Stan Herd
3) John Sebelius
4) Luke Bosco
5) Grace D. Chin
ARTIST (PHOTOGRAPHY OR DIGITAL IMAGES)
T1) Ann Dean
T1) Mike Yoder
3) Jeff Burkhead
4) Trina Baker
5) Ailecia Ruscin
BANK
1) Capitol Federal
2) Commerce Bank
3) US Bank
4) Central Bank of the Midwest
5) INTRUST Bank
COMMUNITY LEADER
1) Mike Amyx
2) Dennis “Boog” Highberger
3) Don “Red Dog” Gardner
4) Caleb Stephens
5) Matthew Herbert
CREDIT UNION
1) Truity Credit Union
2) Meritrust Credit Union
3) Mainstreet Credit Union
4) Envista Credit Union
5) Mid American Credit Union
EVENT (ANNUAL)
1) Lawrence Busker Festival
2) Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
3) Lawrence St Patrick’s Day Parade
4) Art in the Park
5) Transformations Charity Gala
EVENT (SEASONAL OR REOCCURRING)
1) Lawrence Farmers Market
2) KU Basketball Games
3) Final Fridays
4) Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market
5) Live on Mass
FAMILY FUN
1) Lawrence Public Library
2) EPIC Fun
3) Breakout Lawrence
4) Sunfire Ceramics
5) Sports Pavilion Lawrence
HOTEL
1) The Eldridge
2) The Oread
3) TownePlace Suites Marriott
4) Double Tree by Hilton
5) SpringHill Suites by Marriott
LAWRENCE RADIO STATION
1) KPR (KANU 91.5 FM or K241 AR 96.1 FM)
2) KJHK 90.7 FM
3) KKSW 105.9 FM
4) 92.9 The BULL, KMXN
5) KLWN 1320 AM / 101.7 FM
LOCAL NON-PROFIT (ADULT/SENIOR SERVICES)
1) Willow Domestic Violence Center
2) Just Food
3) Cottonwood Inc.
4) Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
5) Audio Reader
LOCAL NON-PROFIT (CHILDREN/YOUTH SERVICES)
1) Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
2) Van Go, Inc
3) Big Brothers, Big Sisters Douglas County
4) Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope
5) Lawrence Arts Center
LOCAL NON-PROFIT (FAMILY SERVICES)
1) Family Promise of Lawrence
2) Willow Domestic Violence Center
3) Just Food
4) Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
5) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity
and the winners are ...
LOCAL NON-PROFIT (LAND, PRESERVATION, ANIMALS)
1) Lawrence Humane Society
2) Prairie Park Nature Center
3) Friends of the Kaw
4) Sunrise Project
5) Monarch Watch
LOCAL STORE OWNER
1) Linda and Tom Cottin, Cottin’s Hardware and Rental
2) Tim and Sherry Emerson, Pet World
3) Kelly Corcoran, Love Garden
4) Jim Lewis, Checkers
5) Meredith Moore and Paul DeGeorge, Wonder Fair
MASCOT
1) Baby Jay, University of Kansas
2) Big Jay, University of Kansas
3) Chesty the Lion, Lawrence High
4) Freddie the Firebird, Free State High
5) The Indians, Haskell Indian Nations University
MATURE LIVING COMMUNITY
1) Brandon Woods at Alvamar
2) Pioneer Ridge
3) Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
4) Neuvant House of Lawrence
5) Babcock Place
NEW BUSINESS
1) The Bee Store
2) The Striped Cow
3) Pure Barre Lawrence
4) Midco
5) &blowdry beauty bar & med spa
PARK
1) South Park
2) Clinton Lake State Park
3) Mutt Run Dog Park
4) Centennial Park
5) Prairie Park
PLACE OF WORSHIP
1) St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
2) Plymouth Congregational Church
3) Corpus Christi Catholic Church
4) First United Methodist Church
5) Velocity Church
PLACE TO HAVE KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
1) Pet World
2) Epic Fun
2) LOL Family Zone
4) Lawrence Gymnastics and Athletics
5) Sunfire Ceramics
PLACE TO HOLD EVENT
1) Abe & Jake’s Landing
2) Cider Art Gallery
3) Maceli’s
4) Liberty Hall
5) The W Banquet Hall
PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER
1) Downtown Lawrence
2) Allen Fieldhouse
3) Free State Brewing Company
4) The Burger Stand
5) The University of Kansas
PLACE TO WORK
(100+ EMPLOYEES)
1) The University of Kansas
2) Lawrence Memorial Hospital
3) Lawrence Public Schools
4) The Merc Co+op
5) Grandstand Glassware and Apparel
PLACE TO WORK
(UNDER 100 EMPLOYEES)
1) Lawrence Public Library
2) Pennington & Company
3) Pet World
4) Free State Brewing Company
5) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
PODCAST
1) Hawk Talk
2) The Table Podcast with Isaac Sanders
3) A.D.D. with Jason Barr
4) The Book Squad
5) Better Ideas
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSON INSTRUCTOR
1) Michael Hamm
2) Annie Gnojek
3) Eric Sakumura
T4) Dylan Bassett
T4) Laura King
T4) Leah Younger
VAN GO
2
Best Local Non-Profit (Children/Youth Services)
Well into its 21st year as an arts training program dedicated to providing job skills and life lessons for youth, Van Go has a proven record of transforming the lives of its program participants as well as enriching the city with a variety of public art displays, from murals to the signature Van Go benches.
SHOP PET GUIDE TO...
3
Python Power
It’s tough to compete against cats and dogs, but if you have the personality and gravitas of Pet World’s Goliath, you can pull it off. This is the city’s top reptile.
4
Staying Power
When the popular bookstore The Raven changed ownership recently, the transition was certainly made smoother by the continued presence of customer favorites, the cat duo of Dashiell and Ngaio
Meets and Greets
Some shop pets prefer to be seen, but not approached. But Sirius, the charmer at Lucky Dog Outfitters, is a people-friendly greeter. Go ahead, tell him he’s a good boy.
Photographs by Fally Afani
SOUTH PARK
Best Park
If you aren’t from Lawrence, it might be hard to understand why South Park continues to dominate this category. But these few blocks of green space have been at the heart of the city since its founding and continue to play an active role, hosting school’s-out play groups, city band concerts, wedding gatherings, community rallies, festivals and more.
“
Martin
and the winners are ...
SHOP PET
1) Sam, Stuffing and Chardonnay at Love Garden Sounds
2) Dinah at The Dusty Bookshelf
3) Goliath at Pet World
4) Dashiell and Ngaio at The Raven Book Store
5) Sirius at Lucky Dog Outfitters
SOCIAL MEDIA (BUSINESS)
1) Ladybird Diner
2) 715
3) Love Garden Sounds
4) F*ck you, I’m from Kansas
5) KB & Co. A Cooperative Boutique
SOCIAL MEDIA (INDIVIDUAL)
1) LarryvilleLife
2) Will Averill
3) Chelsea Kapfer, LFK LPS and LFK for Dummies
4) Amy Brockman
5) Sarah St. John, On This Day: A Daily Look at Lawrence History
SOCIAL MEDIA (ORGANIZATION OR NONPROFIT)
1) Lawrence Police Department
2) Lawrence Public Library
3) Lawrence Humane Society
4) Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
5) Black Lives Matter LFK
TEACHER (GRADES K–5)
1) Katie Higgins, Corpus Christi
2) Abby Moser, Deerfield
3) Susan Lomshek, Schwegler Elementary
4) Elizabeth Wallace, Pinckney Elementary
5) Coleen Martin, Broken Arrow Elementary
TEACHER (GRADES 6–8)
1) Chris Davis, South Middle School
2) Maria Pope, South Middle School
T3) Danielle Lotton-Barker, Southwest Middle School
T3) Johannah Cox, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School
5) Paul Corcoran, West Middle School
TEACHER (GRADES 9–12)
1) David Platt, Lawrence High
2) Hilary Morton, Free State
3) Keri Lauxman, Lawrence High
4) Ericka Waller, Free State
5) Stuart Strecker, Free State
TEACHER (HIGHER ED)
1) Anne Patterson, University of Kansas
2) Stephen Ilardi, University of Kansas
3) Kevin Willmott, University of Kansas
4) Mary Klayder, University of Kansas
5) Dylan Bassett, University of Kansas
by
Photograph
Fally Afani
BRIAN TIMMER
Best Artist (painting, sculpting or mixed media)
By the time we print this magazine, Lawrence artist Brian Timmer will no longer be Lawrence-based, having moved on to some other state (Wyoming) that also offers big skies and grand landscapes suited for Timmer’s large-canvas approach to art. But Timmer leaves behind a series of works celebrating the prairies and communities of Kansas. You can see one of his creations at the Lawrence Beer Company, as well as in collections across the city. 1
Artwork by Brian Timmer
“Margie Coggins has devoted countless hours to the Lawrence Public Library, including being co-chair of the Foundation Board of Directors during the processes of community re-envisioning, remodeling construction, and expansion of programs. … Our community is fortunate to have the benefit of her exceptional abilities and commitment.”
—Sandy Sanders
VOTER’S VOICE
LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER
In this contest, The Lawrence Arts Center regularly places among the top finishers for Best Art Gallery, but the center’s two galleries represent only a portion of the creative work contained in the landmark building on New Hampshire Street. Lawrence Arts Center hosts a beloved in-house preschool program, as well as regular education classes for youth and adults. It hosts artists in residence, theater showings, national touring acts and the popular Free State Festival.
BEST PODCAST
1
No Other Than
The Hawk Talk features commentary from Bill Self and other KU coaches— straight from the source about the sports events that Lawrence loves.
2
One Man Show
Isaac Sanders of The Table does it all —leading his guests through get-to-knowyou games and discussions of serious issues facing the community. He even hums a killer section-break intro tune.
3
Always Fresh
One of the city’s earliest internet personalities, Jason Barr teams up with his crew on A.D.D. with Jason Barr for timely discussions on art and culture themes with a Lawrence lens and a nationwide sound.
by Brian Goodman
Photograph
OLIVER’S Party Picks
We sent a 4-year-old out on the town to help rate some of the best places to hold a Kid’s Birthday Party.
Royal Crest Lanes
3 Favorite Things:
1) Throwing the heavy ball on the floor
2) Playing in the arcade
3) Drinking pop from the concession stand
Do you want to come again?
“Yes! Tonight!”
“BOWLING WAS SO MUCH COOL!”
LOL Family Zone
3 Favorite Things:
1) Falling down on the big bubble
2) Chasing my mom through the climber
3) Dressing up with my friends
Do you want to come again?
“I want to stay here for a hundred years!”
“I WANT TO GO AGAIN AND BUILD A HUGER LEGO CASTLE.”
Epic Fun
3 Favorite Things:
1) Laser tag
2) Playing shooter games and Batman
3) Being good at rolling the ball up the board
Do you want to come again?
“Let’s bring my grandpa tomorrow so I can win him in laser tag!”
“I LIKED IT! I WANT TO BRING ALL OF MY FRIENDS!”
FRIENDS OF THE LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2
BEST BIKE SHOP
Repurposed with Love
Lawrence Re-Cyclery takes well-loved bikes and makes them run like new.
3
Fresh Wheels
Cycle Works has the latest in top-of-the-line bicycle models. (As well as any bike accessory you can think of.)
5
Need for Speed
Lawrence Vintage Cycle’s forte is a different kind of bike: motorcycles. Specializing in early- and latemodel Harleys, this familyowned shop offers the best in motorcycle quality and care.
Photographs by
Fally Afani, Nicolette Sessin
ANTIQUE/VINTAGE STORE
1) Lawrence Antique Mall
2) Wild Man Vintage
3) Amy’s Attic Interiors and Antiques
T4) Arizona Trading Co.
T4) The Art House
BIKE SHOP
1) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop
2) The Lawrence Re-Cyclery
3) Cycle Works
4) Dick’s Sporting Goods
5) Lawrence Vintage Cycle BOOKSTORE
ELECTRONICS STORE
Best Buy
Game Nut Entertainment
UNI Computers
FLOWER SHOP
Owens Flower Shop
Hy-Vee Floral
Englewood Florist
Dillons Floral
Pendleton’s Kaw Valley Country Market
FURNITURE STORE
Winfield House
World Market
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Eagles’ Rest
The Art House
CONVENIENCE STORE
1) QuikTrip 2) Kwik Shop
3) Hy-Vee Gas
4) Jayhawk Food Mart
5) Zarco
DEPARTMENT STORE
1) Weaver’s
2) Target
3) Kohl’s
4) T.J. Maxx
5) Ross Dress for Less
1) Weaver’s
2) J.Lynn Bridal
3) KB & Co.
4) Ross Dress for Less 5) Kohl’s
GARDENING STORE
Howard Pine’s Garden Center & Greenhouse
Clinton Parkway Nursery
Earl May Nursery & Garden Center
Pendleton’s Kaw Valley Country Market
Water’s Edge
SHOP
Phoenix Gallery
LMH Gift Shop
made
Wonder Fair
Mass St. Mercantile HARDWARE STORE
Cottin’s Hardware & Rental
The Home Depot
WATER’S EDGE
5
Best Gardening Store
What’s a garden without the soothing sound of water? A gem for garden water-feature-aficionados and newbies alike, Water’s Edge has all of the tools you need to install a simple water fountain or a pleasing pond. Plus, the staff is knowledgeable about water gardening, so if you’re interested in your own water lily pond, they are the folks to talk to.
VOTER’S
VOICE
“I was born in Lawrence and remember going, as a family, to visit all the critters at Pet World. Sometimes we ended up coming home with a new rodent or snake. Now, I take my daughter there, and seeing her eyes light up reminds me of my childhood.”
—Laura Newman
and the winners are ...
JEWELRY STORE
1) Marks Jewelers
2) Goldmakers Jewelry
3) Kizer Cummings Jewelers
4) Hurst Diamonds
5) Phoenix Gallery
KU SOUVENIR SHOP
1) Kansas Sampler
2) KU Memorial Union Bookstore
3) Jock’s Nitch
4) Mass St. Mercantile
5) Phoenix Gallery
MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
1) Weaver’s
2) Kohl’s
3) JoS. A. Bank
4) Sharks Surf x Supply
5) Gap
MUSIC STORE
1) Love Garden
2) Mass Street Music
3) Richard’s Music Store
4) Beautiful Music Violin Shop
5) Supersonic Music
PETS AND PET SUPPLIES
1) Pet World
2) Lucky Dog Outfitters & Pet Supply
3) Pawsh Wash and Pet Health Market
4) Lawrence Humane Society
5) EarthWise Pet Supply
PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR
1) Crown Automotive
2) Laird Noller Automotive
3) Briggs Auto
4) Dale Willey Automotive
5) Jack Ellena Honda
PLACE TO BUY A USED CAR
1) Crown Automotive
2) 6th Street Auto
3) Laird Noller Automotive
4) Briggs Auto
5) Dale Willey Automotive
RETAIL CLERK/CUSTOMER SERVICE
1) KB & Co. staff
2) Emily Decker, Ruff House Art
3) Pawsh Wash staff
4) Phoenix Gallery staff
5) City Wine Market, staff
by Fally Afani
Photograph
GOLDMAKERS
2
Best Jewelry Store
Eclectic and edgy, the jewelry at Goldmakers makes a statement—as the staff at Goldmakers says, each piece balances fashion and art. Take advantage of the staff’s vast knowledge of jewelry to craft your own perfect adornment, or find a new bit of bling amid their in-house collection.
Since 1962, Howard Pine’s Garden Center and Greenhouse has been a central part of many Lawrencians’ rite of spring—the annual visit to the greenhouses to begin garden and decorative plantings. Shelly Armstrong, an employee of nearly 20 years shown in this photo, is part of a long line of regular and seasonal employees who adjust the inventory to Lawrence’s current gardening trends, including a turn over the past five years to more decorative flowers for yards and planters.
Howard Pine’s Garden Center and Greenhouse has been a central part of many Lawrencians’ rite of spring
SECOND-HAND/PAWN SHOP
1) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore
2) Arizona Trading Co.
3) Ditto Lawrence: A Resale Boutique
4) Wild Man Vintage
5) Plato’s Closet
SHOE STORE
1) Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
2) Ad Astra Running
3) Sharks Surf x Supply
4) Famous Footwear
5) Footprints
SPORTING GOODS
1) Dick’s Sporting Goods
2) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop
3) Ad Astra Running
4) Garry Gribble’s Running Sports
5) Jock’s Nitch
TOY STORE
1) The Toy Store
2) Target
3) Game Nut Entertainment
4) Wild Territory Science & Nature Store
T5) BOOM Comic Shop
T5) The Rolling Gnome
T5) Walmart
UNIQUE STORE
1) Wonder Fair
2) Phoenix Gallery
3) Brits
4) made
5) Mass Street Soda
VINTAGE CLOTHING
1) Wild Man Vintage
2) Arizona Trading Co.
3) Plato’s Closet
4) Lawrence Antique Mall
5) Social Service League Thrift Store
WINDOW DISPLAY
1) The Toy Store
2) Game Nut Entertainment
3) Weaver’s
4) Wild Man Vintage
5) Brits
WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
1) KB & Co.
2) Weaver’s
3) Eccentricity
4) Kohl’s
5) T.J. Maxx
Photographs by Fally Afani, Brian Goodman
WONDER FAIR
Best Unique Store
Lovingly dubbed the “print palace of the Great Plains,” Wonder Fair is a peaceful, thoughtful and imaginative space, full of creative cards, journals and zines. Part art gallery, part design shop, part art supply store, Wonder Fair has the tools and inspiration to guide any visitor to a more creative space or endeavor.
“I voted for Erica Greve of Kizer Cummings Jewelers. Erica is a wonderful, loving person who always makes each customer feel like they’re part of the family. She is incredibly knowledgeable, never pushy, and an absolute delight to talk to.” —Ryan
Photograph by Fally Afani
VOTER’S VOICE
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
Best Bookstore
VARIETY
Picking a new (or new-to-you) book is dependent on mood, time of year, and upcoming vacations. With the right read dependent on so many variables, a good bookstore such as the Dusty Bookshelf will have a wide selection for all interests, occasions and seasons.
FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE
Signs of Life offers a comfortable place to sit and read for hours and hours. That’s how you know you’ve found the best bookstore.
PETS
OK, so not all of our best bookstore finalists have a shop pet, but don’t you agree a cat or two adds to success? Right, Raven Book Store?
OWEN’S FLOWER SHOP
Best Flower Shop
If longevity speaks for itself, Owens is an obvious candidate for “best flower shop” in Lawrence. For 70 years, Owens has been helping Lawrencians celebrate success, grieve loss, and declare love. Don’t see the perfect plant or flower for your occasion? The staff at Owens loves to help. They will order what you need, or help you find the best alternative.
Photographs by Fally Afani, Shutterstock, Fally Afani
MANNEQUIN Style Scout
Every good Vintage Clothing Store needs a stylish in-house model. Meet two of downtown’s best-dressed mannequins .
Name: Georgette
Years in Lawrence: 7
Sign: Cancer
Who are you wearing?
My outfit is inspired by vintage Betsey Johnson.
Hotness Icon: Iris Apfel
Boxers or Briefs: Commando, darling
Favorite date: Dancing at a fancy club to show off my amazing style.
Tell us a secret: I always keep a little flask of Uncle Val’s in my purse. It’s cocktail time anytime.
Name: Derek
Years in Lawrence: 74
Sign: Aries
Who are you wearing?
T-shirt – designs and fashions by Megadeth
Hat – found on the ground at Monsters of Rock Necklace – gift from grandmother
Hotness Icon: Garth from Wayne’s World
Boxers or Briefs: Commando
Favorite date: Treating my lover to tater tots from Sonic.
Tell us a secret: No one knows where my arms are.
Wild Man Vintage
Arizona Trading Co.
Bringing you home for the last 67 years.
Thank you, Lawrence!
We are so proud to be finalists in the Best of Lawrence!
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY
McGrew Real Estate
BEST REALTOR®
Kimberly Williams
We look forward to continuing to provide Lawrence with the Best Real Estate experience.
Your
Leader in Real Estate
Acupuncture • Chiropractor Community Recreation Center (public)
Day Spa/Wellness Center • Dental Practice
Eyewear or Vision Center • Family Medical Practice
Golf Course (traditional and disc) Gym or Fitness Center (private)
Hearing Aid Provider/Audiologist • Hiking and Biking Trails
Martial Arts Massage Therapist (individual) Massage Therapy (group or office) • Medical Clinic • Medical Spa
Mental Health Counselor (other than licensed psychologist or licensed psychiatrist) Nurse Optometrist (individual)
Orthodontic Practice Pediatric Care • Personal Trainer Pharmacy
Physical Therapy (group or office) Place for Health & Nutrition Goods Place for Yoga Classes • Psychiatrist (licensed) Psychologist (licensed) Sports Medicine Surgeon
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
BIGGER IS BETTER
The Lawrence Sports Pavilion brings in visitors (and apparently votes) by offering a wide range of recreation opportunities, including weightlifting, pickleball, indoor soccer and more.
CENTRAL HISTORY
The Lawrence Community Building offers a Downtown location at the heart of the city with a historic vibe that is perfect for everything from youth leagues to Granny Basketball tourneys.
ALL AGES
The East Lawrence Recreation Center weight room and basketball court bring in athletes while the foosball and table tennis room with its wonderful glass-wall view of the park and city is a treat for families.
Best RecreationCommunity Center ELEVATE
and the winners are ...
ACUPUNCTURE
1) Julie JohnsonBear Don’t Walk Acupuncture
T2) Ad Astra Wellness
T2) Lawrence Acupuncture: Integrative Health Clinic
4) Body Specific, LLC
5) Bodhi Tree
CHIROPRACTOR
1) Advanced Chiropractic Services
2) Rodrock Chiropractic
3) Peak Performance Health Center
4) Risley Chiropractic
5) Body Specific
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER (PUBLIC)
1) Sports Pavilion (Rock Chalk Park)
2) Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center 3) Lawrence Community Building 4) East Lawrence Recreation Center 5) Holcom Park Recreation Center
DAY SPA/WELLNESS CENTER
1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
2) Body Specific, LLC
3) Sensora Spa
4) Merkaba Wellness Center and Spa
T5) Lada Salon & Spa
T5) Massage Envy Spa
DENTAL PRACTICE
1) Heinbach Larkin DDS
2) Peterson, Krische & Van Horn, DDS
3) The Dentists in Lawrence
4) Free State Dental
5) River Rock Family Dental
EYEWEAR OR VISION CENTER
1) Lawrence Family Vision Clinic
2) Drs. Dobbins & Letourneau
3) The EyeDoctors
4) Wink Eyewear
5) Crandon & Crandon
FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE
1) Family Medicine Associates, PA
2) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics
3) Lawrence Family Practice Center
4) Family Centered Medicine, LLC
5) NeuCare
GOLF COURSE
(TRADITIONAL AND DISC)
1) Eagle Bend Golf Course
2) Centennial Park
3) Lawrence Country Club
4) The Jayhawk Club
5) Orchards Golf Course
GYM OR FITNESS CENTER (PRIVATE)
1) Body Boutique
2) Genesis Health Club
3) Planet Fitness
4) Jazzercise Lawrence Fitness Center
5) The Summit
HEARING AID PROVIDER/ AUDIOLOGIST
1) Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates, LLC
2) Schiefelbusch Speech-LanguageHearing Clinic, University of Kansas
3) Lawrence Hearing Aid Center
4) Kaw Valley Hearing
5) Topeka Ear, Nose & Throat - Lawrence
HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS
1) Clinton Lake Trails
2) The Kansas River Trails
3) The Lawrence Loop
4) Baker Wetlands
5) Prairie Park Nature Trail
MARTIAL ARTS
1) Prime Martial Arts
2) Premier Martial Arts
3) Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4) Lawrence Parks &
Recreation Martial Arts
5) Lawrence Tae-Kwon-Do School
MASSAGE THERAPIST (INDIVIDUAL)
1) Tracey Woody, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
2) Leslie Denison, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
3) Jennifer Baldwin, Renew by Jennifer
4) Kristi Bennett, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
5) Jessi Evans, Massage by Jessi
MASSAGE THERAPY (GROUP OR OFFICE)
1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
2) Body Specific, LLC
3) Elevate
T4) Massage Envy Spa
T4) Renew by Jennifer
MEDICAL CLINIC
1) Family Medicine Associates, PA
2) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics
3) Family Centered Medicine, LLC
4) Lawrence Internal Medicine, PA
5) Lawrence Family Practice Center
MEDICAL SPA
1) AesthetiCare Medical Spa
2) Lawrence Plastic Surgery
3) &blowdry beauty bar & med spa
4) Simple Wellness, Fitness & MedSpa
5) Optimal Wellness & Cryospa
Photographs by Bill Stephens, Fally Afani
RIVERS BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
3
Best
Martial Arts
Headed up by Trevor Rivers, an International Brazilian Ju Jitsu Federation national champion who also happens to be a Cornell University marine biologist PhD, this dojo offers training through classes for children, adults and women-only, all with an emphasis toward fitness and the competition circuit.
“I have gone to Lawrence Family Vision for years. They are ownedfamily by Dr. Hoss, and he truly cares about his patients.”
—Abby Hanson
and the winners are ...
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
(OTHER THAN LICENSED
PSYCHOLOGIST OR LICENSED
PSYCHIATRIST)
1) Juliet Nelson, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
2) Vicki Condra Williams, V. Condra Counseling Services
3) Kendall Heiman, Paramount Recovery
4) Cari Chapman
5) Bridget Dixon, Monarch Play Therapy
NURSE
1) Amy Vestal, Sports Medicine and Performance Center, University of Kansas Health Systems
2) Joni Lawrence, Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics
3) Erika Newell, Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics
4) Dahnika Short, NeuCare
T5) Karen Roberts, DNP, APRN-BC, The Internal Medicine Group
T5) Kelsey Daugherty, Family Psychological Services
OPTOMETRIST (INDIVIDUAL)
1) Kevin Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic
2) Kenny Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic
3) Jacob Letourneau, Dobbins & Letourneau Eye Care
4) John Harvat, The Eye Doctors
5) Kent Dobbins, Dobbins & Letourneau Eye Care
ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE
1) Ranjbar Orthodontics
2) Oread Orthodontics
3) McColm Orthodontics
4) River Rock Family Dental
5) Hamilton, Wilson, Hendrickson Orthodontics
PEDIATRIC CARE
1) Panda Pediatrics
2) Lawrence Pediatrics, PA
3) Family Medicine Associates, PA
4) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics
5) NeuCare
PERSONAL TRAINER
1) Josh Hilger, Genesis Health Club
2) Wayne Jackson, Go Hard Training
3) Melissa Farve, Underground Lab
4) Tracey English, Tracey English Fitness
5) Elisa Brooks, Body Boutique
PHARMACY
1) Sigler Pharmacy
2) Dillons Pharmacy
3) Walgreens Pharmacy
4) Hy-Vee Pharmacy
5) CVS/CVS Target Pharmacy
VOTER’S VOICE
Photograph by Fally Afani
• Dr. Chris Wertin DC
Dr. Chris Wertin DC
• Dr. Colleen Auchenbach DC
Dr. Colleen Auchenbach DC
• Dr. Mary Huss DC
Dr. Mary Huss DC
• Dr. Kyle Wertin DC
Dr. Kyle Wertin DC
Dr. Eric Wertin DC
• Dr. Eric Wertin DC
Dr. Jessica Speidel DC
• Dr. Jessica Speidel DC
4 WINK
EYEWEAR
Best Eyewear or Vision Center
Wink Eyewear has earned a devoted core of clients and voters by approaching eyewear as a fashion boutique business. The showroom frequently sponsors eyewear collection showings and has recently stepped forward for the city, collaborating with artists to present “The Look of Lawrence” gallery showings in Kansas City.
Best Hiking and Biking Trails
DEEP WOODS
Forest adventure can be found at the Clinton Lake Trails bicycle skills course, while a network of other hiking trails are perfect for families and pets wanting to get lost (for a short time) in the woods.
NEW BUZZ
Plenty of excitement has been building this past year for the nearly completed Lawrence Loop, the ambitious project seeking to connect a biking and walking pathway around the city.
KID FAVORITE
The Prairie Park Nature Trail provides a perfect kid-sized, safe hike into the wilds after (or before) an excursion to the indoor nature center.
Photographs by Fally Afani, Emily Steele, Bill Stephens
and the winners are ...
PHYSICAL THERAPY (GROUP OR OFFICE)
1) OrthoKansas, LLC
2) TherapyWorks
3) LMH Therapy Services
4) Bird Physical Therapy
5) Neu Physical Therapy Center
PLACE FOR HEALTH & NUTRITION GOODS
1) The Merc Co+op
2) Sprouts Farmers Market
3) Complete Nutrition
4) Lawrence Nutrition Center
5) Natural Grocers
PLACE FOR YOGA CLASSES
1) OmTree Shala
2) Body Boutique
3) Yoga Center of Lawrence
4) Lava Yoga Studio
5) Westside Yoga
PSYCHIATRIST (LICENSED)
1) Hiten Soni
2) Elias Chediak
3) Joseph Douglas
4) Nana Dadson
5) Taylor Porter
PSYCHOLOGIST (LICENSED)
1) Wes Crenshaw
2) Sara Godinez
3) Christy Blanchard
4) Anne Owen
5) Patrick Nicholas
SPORTS MEDICINE
1) OrthoKansas, LLC
2) Sports Medicine & Performance Center, University of Kansas Health System
3) TherapyWorks
4) LMH Sports Performance & Training
5) Peak Performance Health Center
SURGEON
1) Dr. Jeffrey C. Randall, Sports Medicine and Performance Center, University of Kansas Health Systems
2) Dr. Stephan L. Pro, OrthoKansas LLC
3) Dr. Neal D. Lintecum, OrthoKansas LLC
4) Dr. Kenneth Kimmel, Lawrence Internal Medicine
5) Dr. Chad Tate, Lawrence Memorial Hospital
LAWRENCE PEDIATRICS, PA
Best Pediatric Care
With three staff doctors—Dr. Kirsten Evans (shown in this photograph), Dr. Kristen Jacobs and Dr. Malani Kuiper—Lawrence Pediatrics offers comprehensive care for its patients from birth to age 21 with certain services, such as consultations on medications for international travel, reflecting the specific needs of a university community such as Lawrence. In this contest, we’ve seen a growth in pediatric specialist groups in the city and have added this category to reflect the trend toward group practice childcentered care.
BEST GOLF COURSE
1
The People’s Course
By providing public access and hosting a series of charity tournaments, the city-owned Eagle Bend defends its title for 2018.
2
Disc Power
With more than 45 years in Lawrence and nearly 8,000 co-op owners, The Merc has a strong and loyal base across the community. This contest reflects the organization’s widespread appeal, as The Merc not only frequently wins the category of Place for Health & Nutrition Goods, but also regularly places in top positions across a range of categories, including Best Place to Work, Best Grocery Store, Best Place for International/Regional Food and more. Up until this year, the store even made a respectable showing in the Best Mascot category, represented by its own banana-costumed superhero, Potassium Rich. Unfortunately, the Yellow-Peeled Wonder has left the store, but everything else about The Merc, from its shelves of local food to its community programs, remains strong.
Don’t make the mistake of dismissing disc golf as a fad, Centennial Park’s disc course’s popularity has endured over the years and continues to thrive with a new generation of disc golfers.
3
Tradition
Dating to 1914 and with a 1935 Perry Maxwell addition, the Lawrence Country Club course continues to attract serious golfers with a commitment to renewing the course while maintaining its classic design.
Photographs by Fally Afani, Brian Goodman
Mike Rundle of The Merc
OMTREE SHALA
Best Place for Yoga Classes
With over a dozen instructors (including a dedicated children’s courses instructor) and an in-house apothecary, OmTree Shala guides students through courses such as VinyasaCore Fusion, Yin Yang Yoga (Hatha yoga postures) and Kundalini Core and Restore (kriya-based sequences). The numerous options represent the sustaining appeal and diversity of yoga courses throughout the city.
“I have to admit, I voted for Erika Newell as the Best Nurse because she is my daughter-in-law! But way beyond that, I know that she is a very determined and caring medical professional who treats all patients as she would like herself or her family members to be treated.”
—Barbara Terns
by
Photograph
Fally Afani
PLAYGROUND Olympics
These three trainers helped The Summit place as a best Gym or Fitness Center finalist, but how strong are they outside their fitness home? We brought them to Lawrence’s Best Park to test them in this fitness trainer showdown.
Matt Scanlon
Years as a personal trainer: 9.5 years
Years with the Summit: 6.5 years
Favorite muscle group to train: shoulders
Fitness or Athletic Icon: Dr. John Rusin
Pump-up Jam: “Stick Talk” by Future
THE COMPETITORS
Johnny Huynh
Years as a personal trainer: 2 years
Years with the Summit: 1.5 years
Favorite muscle group to train: Back
Fitness or Athletic Icon: Dwayne Johnson
Pump-up Jam: “Remember The Name” by Fort Minor
THE EVENTS
Jungle-Gym Obstacle Course
Our contenders tackled the monkey bars, crab walked along the plank and hurdled down the slide and were judged on how fast they could complete the course from start to finish.
Parallel Bar Push-ups
To test endurance, the trainers did as many pushups as they could for 30 seconds while holding themselves up along the parallel bars.
Dino-Balance
The contestants stood on one foot atop South Park’s dinosaur for as long as they could. For a tiebreaker, the trainers had to do a single leg squat to dismount.
Angela Finch
Years as a personal trainer: 6 years
Years with the Summit: 6 years
Favorite muscle group to train: posterior chain, or the muscles that aid in explosive movements such as jumping and sprinting
Fitness or Athletic Icon: Flo-Jo and Jackie Joyner Kersee
Pump-up Jam: Anything by Lil Wayne
THE RESULTS
Matt Scanlon
Obstacle Course time: 22.9 seconds
Push-ups: 22
Dino Balance: 27.9 seconds
Johnny Huynh
Obstacle Course time: 17.6 seconds
Push-ups: 24
Dino Balance: 1:30
Angela Finch
Obstacle Course time: 18.53 seconds
Push-ups: 17
Dino Balance: 1:30 with perfect squat dismount
WINNER!!
Congrats, Johnny, for taking two events and tying a third. Thanks for all trainers for sharing positivity and enthusiasm for healthy competition, personal fitness and health of Lawrencians!
Your Hometown Team for Audiology Services
At Lawrence Otolaryngology, we’ve been a part of the Lawrence community for 34 years. We are proud to be your hometown option for audiology services, including diagnostic testings, hearing screenings and one of the largest selection of hearing aids and accessories in our area. We serve our patients every day, with the time and attention it takes to truly be a partner in their hearing journey. And, our patients say it best...
“Our daughter recommended we come to Lawrence Otolaryngology for our hearing aids and we’re sure glad she did! Everyone we’ve worked with, from the doctors to the audiologist, have been kind and paid attention to all our needs. We would definitely recommend them to our friends... And we have, often!”
—Archie and Sally, LOA patients
Misti M. Ranck MS CCC-A
Jami S. Johnson MS CCC-A
Kay Bassett HIS
Meryl Lockling AuD
Katie E. Turner AuD
AMYX NORTH BARBER SHOP
Best Barber
Just next door to Amyx Barber Shop, Amyx North offers a dreamy sense of barbershop nostalgia with wooden floors and old-style chairs. The skilled team of barbers can craft anything from traditional trims to hip hairstyles. Need a shave? They have you covered, offering a full straight razor shave complete with hot lather and a hot towel.
by Fally Afani
Photograph
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER GUIDE TO...
and the winners are ...
ACCOUNTANT OR TAX
CONSULTANT
1) Hume’s Tax Service
2) The Roark Group LLC
3) Kahn & Associates Inc.
4) Mize Houser & Company
5) Summers Spencer & Company, PA
ADVERTISING/MARKETING
SERVICES
1) Callahan Creek
2) PixNinja
3) Allen Press, Inc.
T4) 3 Clever Broads
T4) Kern Marketing Group
AUTO BODY REPAIR
1) Hite Collision Repair Center
2) Auto Accents & Collision Repair
3) Bryant Collision Repair
4) Steve’s Auto Plaza Body Shop Inc.
5) Pearson Collision Repair
AUTO SERVICE REPAIR
1) Westside 66 and Carwash
2) Lawrence Automotive Diagnostics Inc.
Be a Model
Schaumburg Photography offers the “dolled up” series, glam studio shots to make you feel extra fierce.
4
Portraits
The Crystal Image brings out the beauty in everyone.
5
Editorial/Candid
Backstory Photography captures real life and honors the personality of each photography subject.
3) Slimmer’s Automotive Service
4) Crown Automotive
5) Dale & Ron’s Auto Service
BARBER
1) Downtown Barber Shop
2) Amyx Barber Shop
3) Rex’s Stadium Barber Shop
4) Amyx North Barber Shop
5) Standard Grooming Supply
CAR WASH
1) Hurricane Alley
2) Auto Plaza Car Wash
3) Tsunami Express
4) Westridge Wash & Lube
5) Dale Willey Automotive
CHILDCARE CENTER
1) Stepping Stones
2) Hilltop Child Development Center
3) Raintree Montessori School
4) Googols of Learning
5) Children’s Learning Center
CLEANING/MAID SERVICES
1) Buckingham Palace Housecleaning
2) Two Moms and a Mop House Cleaning
3) Eco-Friendly Cleaning
4) Housekeeping Unlimited
5) Sue Bee’s Cleaning
COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR
1) B.A. Green Construction Co.
2) Natural Breeze Remodeling
3) A-Team Custom Construction
4) Jack Hope Design
5) Custom Interiors LLC
COMPUTER REPAIR OR SERVICE
1) DoctorDave Computer Repair
2) UNI Computers
3) Geek Squad
4) iGurus
5) Kaw Valley IT
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
1) B.A. Green Construction Co.
2) Natural Breeze Remodeling
3) Mike Wedman Homes
4) Jack Hope Design
5) A-Team Custom Construction
DRY CLEANER OR LAUNDRY
1) Scotch Fabric Care Services
2) Lawrence Laundromat
3) Hillcrest Laundromat
4) Suds Laundry Service
5) 31st Street Coin Laundry
ELECTRICIAN
1) Danielsan Electric
2) Lynn Electric & Communications Inc.
3) Good Energy Solutions
4) Randall Electric
5) Mel Lisher Electric
EVENT PLANNER
1) Lara Komosa and Jesse Rice, Maceli’s
2) Carmen Hocking, A Beautiful Wedding
3) Whitney Webber, The Eldridge and The Oread
4) Jennifer Jackson Letner, Cider Gallery
5) Leila Ahvarhoush, Be Seen! Event Planning
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
1) Jeff Peterson, Edward Jones
2) Ehren Feldmeyer
3) Emily Hill
4) Scott Solomon
T5) Greg Hill, Keating & Associates
T5) Miller Retirement Group
FLOORING
1) Kring’s Interiors
2) Paradise Carpet One Floor & Home
3) Pod’s Discount Carpets
4) Menards
5) The Home Depot
and the winners are ...
HAIR SALON
1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
2) Paisley & Stripe
3) Salon 708
4) Greenroom Salon
T5) Moxie Hair Studio
T5) Static Hair Salon
HAIR STYLIST
1) Adrianne Jackson, Moxie Hair Studio
2) Hallie Obrock, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa
3) Courtney Quirarte, Mane Haus
T4) Katy Skepnek, Moxie Hair Studio
T4) Penny Strasser-Tuckel, Paisley & Stripe
HOME CONTRACTOR
1) Natural Breeze Remodeling
2) Mike Wedman Homes
3) Jack Hope Design
4) Greg Springer Handyman, Inc.
5) Jason Todd Construction
HVAC SERVICE
1) Dunco Heating & Cooling
2) Cloud Heating & Air Conditioning
3) Scott Temperature Equipment
4) Wyatt Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
5) Advantage Heating and Air
INSURANCE AGENCY
1) CEK Insurance
2) Ron King, American Family Insurance
3) Justin Moravec, American Family Insurance
4) DJ Flummerfelt, American Family Insurance
4) Ryan Sparke Farm Bureau Financial Services
INSURANCE AGENT
1) Ryan Sparke, Farm Bureau
2) Ron King, American Family Insurance
3) D J Flummerfelt, American Family Insurance
4) Kurt Goeser, State Farm
5) Justin Moravec, American Family
INTERIOR DESIGNER
1) Christine Julian
2) Kellogg Interiors
3) Winfield House
4) Jane Bateman Interiors
5) M.Street Interiors
LANDSCAPING SERVICE
1) Lawrence Landscape
2) Turf Masters Inc.
3) Pine Landscape Center
4) Rick’s Lawn & Landscape (Rick Jaimez)
5) Narcomey Lawn Care LLC
1 PAWSH WASH
Best Pet Care/Grooming
Pawsh Wash takes your pet from stinky to swanky. You can leave the grooming to the experts, or they have all the tools for you to do it yourself. Beyond grooming services, Pawsh Wash offers foods for all diets, treats for all tastes and accessories to make your pet feel extra cute. (As if they need any help!)
Photograph by Fally Afani
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
Best Nail Salon
CLEANLINESS
A clean environment is a requirement for a good nail salon, but it also promotes relaxation and stress relief. Chieu’s Nail Salon considers cleanliness a must for peak manicure experience.
GOOD CONVERSATION
When you spend half an hour with a stranger holding your hand, it is nice when you can get to know that stranger. Get to know the nail techs at Salon Lotus and you will likely become fast friends.
HIGH QUALITY WORK
Like any service, quality is important, and nail service is no exception. At Salon di Marco & Day Spa, you will feel pampered long after you walk out of the salon.
VOTED A TOP VETERINARY HOSPITAL IN LAWRENCE FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS
2
AUTO PLAZA CAR WASH
Best Car Wash
Need a quick wash? Auto Plaza can do it. Looking for a full detail? Auto Plaza is there for you. As an auto cleaning service, Auto Plaza provides tons of different carcare packages to take care of whatever dirt and grime has built up on your vehicle.
1
Cutting-Edge Printing Technology
Specializing in large runs of professional and big publications, Allen Press made its name in printing academic journals and now offers everything from small runs to in-house marketing.
3
Fast and Ecofriendly
Minuteman Press can handle any job in a hurry and prides itself on using eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
5
All About that Merch
Blue Collar Press offers screenprinting and custom merchandise. Past clients include nationally acclaimed indie artists Brandi Carlile and Josh Ritter.
FAMILY MEDICINE is a medical specialty dedicated to the comprehensive care of the whole person and family−regardless of gender or age−from the beginning to the end of life. Family physicians are trained to provide personalized care for at least 85 percent of a person’s medical problems, and to coordinate the specialty care that may be needed for the rest.
Our commitment to you is accessibility to medical information and assistance 24 hours a day. We do this by providing a broad range of medical services, seven days a week, delivered with a personal touch while using the latest of medical technologies. Our on-call doctor is available by phone to talk to you at any time, day or night. And, since the best medical care is delivered in person, we maintain extended office hours on weekdays as well as provide office hours for urgent care on Saturdays and Sundays.
and the winners are ...
TANNING
1) Mango Tan
2) Sun Tan City
3) Ultimate Tan and Spa
4) KC Tan
5) Body Boutique
5) Endless Summer Tan
TAXI/LIMOUSINE/RIDE SERVICE
1) Blake Allen, Uber
2) GTS (Ground Transportation Services) Lawrence
3) Affordable Limo
3) SkidRow Party Bus
5) 842 Taxi
TRAVEL AGENT (INDIVIDUAL)
1) Amanda Storm, Amanda’s Travels
2) Carmen Hocking
3) Pamela Sublette, AAA
4) Dorothy Pogge, Travel Leaders
5) Lauren Pomeroy, AAA
TREE SERVICE
1) Kansas Tree Care
2) San Marco + French Tree Service, LLC.
3) Shamrock Tree Service Inc.
4) Lawrence Tree Service
5) Advanced Tree Service (T.J. Reyes)
T-SHIRT OR SCREEN PRINTING
1) Happy Shirt Printing
2) Acme
3) Blue Collar Press
4) Grandstand Glassware and Apparel
5) LFK Press
VETERINARIAN
1) Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital
2) Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital
3) Animal Hospital of Lawrence
4) Lewis Veterinary Clinic
5) Bradley Animal Hospital
VOTER’S VOICE
“I voted for Universal Sales for best flooring. I worked with them on two different occasions. Once redoing floors in my own house and once with my parents’ house. Steve Wiggins was very knowledgeable and polite. He worked with us every step of the project to ensure it came out exactly as we had hoped. It turned out wonderfully.”
—Jose Contreras
HAPPY SHIRT PRINTING
1
Best T-Shirt or Screen Printing
Whether you’re commemorating a big event, promoting a brand, or just wearing your truth, Happy Shirt will make you, well, happy. Beyond shirts, Happy Shirt offers bulk items like water bottles and keychains, ready to be adorned with whatever your heart desires. You can create the design yourself or work with a consultant. They also have a pretty nice selection of in-house designs if you’re just looking for a fun lifestyle T-shirt.
Photograph by Fally Afani
State Farm insurance agent Kurt Goeser has regularly won industry awards while also being among this contest’s top finishers for his category. Some of this success might be attributed to Goeser’s understanding of how to blend the strength of a national brand with the loyalty of a local audience.
“There is no question that Lawrence residents—including myself—appreciate local,” says Goeser. “But we appreciate one
another more, and even if you represent a big company, you can get out there and be a part of Lawrence and contribute to it.”
For his part, Goeser has been active with the Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club and Douglas County Estate Planning Council while serving on the board of Theatre Lawrence, Cottonwood Foundation and Lawrence Children’s Choir. All of these organizations face benefits and challenges from the rapid growth
of Lawrence, something Goeser has witnessed from having first been a part of the community as a new KU student in 1989.
“I’ve seen a community that is actively growing and working very hard to being open to business development and growth, while at the same time, working hard to hold that small-town feel,” says Goeser. “It’s a challenge, but I find it’s a nice balance.”
“Matthew Hoy with Stephens and Brand LLP got my vote! He is down to earth, but still maintains an excellent level of professionalism and guidance.”
—Maggie Sparke
VOTER’S VOICE
Photograph by Brian Goodman
LAWRENOPOLY
Booming again, the Lawrence real estate market and the Real Estate Agencies who know it best get the classic board game treatment.
THE PURPLE SQUARES: Locust Street and McDonald Drive are sometimes overlooked, but these key entryway streets boast affordable prices for an inevitable housing or hotel boom.
COMMUNITY CHEST: To be decided by mail-in ballot.
INCOME TAX: Rebranded as “retail tax,” but still at 10%.
THE RAILROADS: Lawrence Visitors Center, the Amtrak Station, the Watson Park Train and Fire Station No. 4 (historic Grover Barn underground railroad site) are natural choices. Buy them up before your little sister does.
LIGHT BLUE SQUARES: Vermont Street, Connecticut Street and Kentucky Street—solid, reliable investments.
CHANCE: Although Lawrence has a Chance Lane, these two squares become special-edition parking spots with a 43.7% chance of receiving a yellow-envelope parking fine (13.8% on rainy days).
IN JAIL AND GO TO JAIL SQUARES: A little too draconian for the modern Lawrence table game. Instead, sit out a turn reading through the best @LawrenceKS_PD tweets.
VIOLET SQUARES: Haskell Avenue, 19th Street and Kasold Drive. Non-Lawrencians might not appreciate these strategic roads, but you know their undervalued importance.
THE UTILITIES: Bowersock Mills and Power Co. and the Kaw River Water Treatment Plant—buy them up or lose your savings to unexpected, late-game service fees.
ORANGE SQUARES: New Hampshire Street, Vermont Street and Monterey Way are the mid-level streets with huge hotel development potential.
Jayhawk Nation has Kansasopoly, the University of Kansas version of the board game Monopoly with the Chancellor’s Residence and Strong Hall occupying the board’s most posh real estate squares. But isn’t it time for a Lawrence version of the game? Here’s our lineup of Lawrence real estate properties, squares and tokens based on the current real estate market. The street names and locations are listed below, in the order you would encounter them if you were to progress along a traditional Monopoly board.
Shari Hart, Jessie Pepper and Megan Raymundo of Keller Williams Integrity (Finalist, Best Real Estate Agency) scout out the best hotel locations in their Lawrence office.
FREE PARKING: Just joking. Pay every 2 hours.
RED SQUARES: Jayhawk Boulevard, Mississippi Street and Indiana Street represent KU for the coveted, often game-changing red-hot properties.
YELLOW SQUARES: The up-and-coming power squares become George Williams Way, Queens Road and Bob Billings Parkway.
THE GREEN SQUARES: 6th, 9th and 23rd streets— the city’s popular retail arteries— take their place as the slightly more affordable but highly strategic positions.
THE DARK BLUE SQUARES: Massachusetts Street steps in for Boardwalk and Iowa Street takes Park Place as the two most expensive, most valued property streets.
LUXURY TAX: Pay, but only if you cannot convince the city commission that you need a tax abatement.
GO: But it’s a roundabout. You collect your $179.00 salary (Lawrence rates) as you pass, but if you roll a “1” or “2” going through, then random car doesn’t yield to you and you have to remain spinning your wheels for another turn.
TOKENS: The 23rd Street Buffalo Statue, The Centennial Park Polaris missile, Chesty Lion, a sunflower, a Kansas Crew boat, a catfish, a “Honk for Hemp” sign and a Douglas County Fair demolition derby car.
Photograph by Fally Afani
Bar Bartender Beer Selection (restaurant/bar)
Date Spot • Happy Hour Late-Night Ride Service
Live Music Venue Local Band Place to Get a Margarita Place to Get a Mixed Drink/Cocktail (restaurant/bar)
Solo Musician • Store to Buy Beer Store to Buy Liquor Store to Buy Wine Tattoo Shop • Wine List (restaurant/bar)
Photograph by Brian Goodman,
Grove
ABRAXAS TATTOO CO.
Best Tattoo Shop
For its six years as a business, Abraxas Tattoo has been creating customized body art for patrons on appointment-only basis. Founder Carlos Ransom (shown here) and fellow tattoo artist Chris Hess each have their own specialties, though we’re partial to the Kansas-themed creations (meadowlarks, sunflowers and bison portraits) that their patrons have requested. Check out a gallery of their work on the website abraxastattoo.com.
and the winners are ...
BAR
1) The Sandbar
2) Red Lyon Tavern
3) The Bourgeois Pig
4) Free State Brewing Company
5) Replay Lounge
BARTENDER
1) Dave Johanning, The Sandbar
2) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig
3) Ian Sotomayor, Free State Brewing Company
4) Bryan Love, Red Lyon Tavern
5) Katie Clancy, Jefferson’s West
BEER SELECTION
VOTER’S VOICE
“The White School House is my favorite live music venue in Lawrence, and Petri Productions is always bringing in amazing talent there. They really prioritize making fans feel safe and included, which is something all venues should strive for.”
—Patrick Kennedy
(RESTAURANT/BAR)
1) Merchants Pub & Plate
2) Free State Brewing Company
3) The Burger Stand
4) 23rd Street Brewery
5) Lawrence Beer Company
DATE SPOT
1) 715
2) Merchants Pub & Plate
3) Bon Bon
4) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
T5) Free State Brewing Company
T5) J. Wilson’s
HAPPY HOUR
1) Merchants Pub & Plate
2) 23rd Street Brewery
3) 715
4) Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar
5) SONIC Drive-In
LATE-NIGHT RIDE SERVICE
1) KU SafeRide
2) KU SafeBus
3) Debbie King, Uber Driver
4) Lawrence Transit System Night Line
5) Danny Speicher, Uber Driver
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
1) Liberty Hall
2) The Granada
3) Replay Lounge
4) The Jazzhaus
5) The Bottleneck
LOCAL BAND
1) Lawrence Bar Band
2) Shoebox Money
3) Kim and The Quake
4) The Mad Kings
5) SELLOUT!
PLACE TO GET A MARGARITA
1) Cielito Lindo
2) Port Fonda
3) El Potro
4) Mi Ranchito
T5) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
T5) On the Border
PLACE TO GET A MIXED DRINK/ COCKTAIL (RESTAURANT/BAR)
1) 715
2) John Brown’s Underground
3) Bon Bon
4) The Bourgeois Pig
5) Merchants Pub & Plate
SOLO MUSICIAN
1) Tyler Gregory
2) Cuee
3) Michael Hamm
4) Darrell Lea
5) Kim Murphree
STORE TO BUY BEER
1) On the Rocks
2) Cork & Barrel Wine and Spirits
3) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits
4) Micro Liquor
5) Mass Beverage
STORE TO BUY LIQUOR
1) On the Rocks
2) Cork & Barrel Wine and Spirits
3) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits
4) Micro Liquor
5) Mass Beverage
STORE TO BUY WINE
1) Cork & Barrel Wine and Spirits
2) City Wine Market
3) On The Rocks
4) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits
5) Mass Beverage
TATTOO SHOP
1) BDC Tattoo
2) Abraxas Tattoo Co.
3) Lawrence Tattoo Company
4) Skin Illustration Tattoos and Hairdoos
5) Miller Tattoo
WINE LIST (RESTAURANT/BAR)
1) 715
2) Merchants Pub & Plate
3) 6 Mile ChopHouse & Tavern
4) J. Wilson’s
5) The Eldridge
Photographs by Fally Afani
ADAM LOTT
2
Best Bartender
Some people like their bartenders in one place—behind the bar. And doing one thing—serving drinks. Obviously not our voters though. Our contest’s top bartenders tend to be people who are known for their drink savvy and engagement in the community. Adam Lott at The Bourgeois Pig, for example, wins his following by knowing his mixology, but also mixing this up with an infectious enthusiasm for Lawrence through his work as an illustration artist and on projects such as The Lawrence Songbook. Catch him at the Pig and ask him to pour you the latest creation as you catch up on the latest happenings.
“The best date spot is definitely Zen Zero because of the food, and the environment is fun and relaxing!”
—Gretchen Boxberger
VOTER’S VOICE
ANATOMY OF SUCCESS
Best Band
GIVE ’EM WHAT THEY LOVE
Lawrence band SELLOUT! brings its crowd-pleasing covers from legendary groups and one-hit-wonders across the genres and ages. Favorites never get old.
MOOD MUSIC
You are most likely to hear Lawrence Bar Band during the height of basketball season, usually after victories when the upbeat brass tunes match the winning feelings.
NO APOLOGIES
The Mad Kings make no apologies for sticking with old time rock ’n’ roll music. They have weathered disco, grunge, indie, new wave, house and whatever else has played for the city’s younger crowds. And tomorrow? They’ll still rock.
LOYALTY
This group doesn’t plaster the city with posters for their next showing, but Kim and the Quake has won a loyal following ready to show up and support their favorite local band.
Photographs by Fally Afani
FINE CIGARS
THE PREMIER DISCOUNT LIQUOR STORE IN LAWRENCE!
LIBERTY HALL
It has been an opera house, a vaudeville theater, a silent-film cinema, a talkie-show house and now a dance hall, concert venue, indie movie house and movie rental store. It has hosted national superstars from Susan B. Anthony to Janelle Monáe in a concert hall that is both intimate and grand. Throughout this history, Liberty Hall has always been at the heart of the community—a role it continues to play as it partners with community events such as the Free State Festival, Transformations Charity Gala or maybe even your Uncle Bob’s upcoming wedding (that nobody ever expected).
GUIDE TO...
BEST HAPPY HOUR
1
Merchants Pub & Plate
Here’s a shocker—there is now an entire generation of legal-age drinkers who know this landmark restaurant venue only as “Merchants” rather than the decades-old “Teller’s”—and that means they know it as a venue equally loved for its kitchen and its happy hour specials. An old city institution renewed.
2
23rd Street Brewery
Specializing in house brews with Rock Chalk themes, this sports bar hosts a regular happy hour from 3–5 pm and an additional Mug Club happy hour at varying evening hours where members get a mug of beer for the price of a pint.
4
Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar
A relatively new restaurant and happy hour destination, the Fish House shakes things up with a 6-hour weekend happy hour and its regular 3-hour weekday happy hour that feature plate and drink combos, beers, wines and the house Bittered Old Fashion.
Genelle Denneny of Liberty Hall
MARGARITA Trail
A Curmudgeonly Professor’s Scientific Approach to the Assessment of Margarita Ambiance in Lawrence, Kansas (Or, finding the Best Place to Get a Margarita.)
Story and Photos by Krysta Green, AuD
I am an audiologist by training and a curmudgeonly professor by trade — that makes me a teacher, a science nerd, and enthusiastic advocate for acoustic accessibility for people with hearing loss. I also love margaritas and the free press. In the name of science and the spirit of civic duty, I present the citizens of Lawrence with my (peer-reviewed) research.
INTRODUCTION: The Best Place to Have a Margarita category is a nuanced one. Of course, the cocktail must be delicious, but the ambiance and amenities are equally important.
METHODS: Over the course of 5 weeks, your favorite audiologist and her designated driver (read: editor) visited nominees and documented house margarita quality, background noise level, and a few important margarita amenities — cheese dip, patio availability, friendly servers, and overall atmosphere.
RESULTS: Our findings suggest that the best place to have a margarita is highly dependent on the individual’s motivation for seeking a margarita. We found three significant factors: quality of the cocktail, ambiance, and food (Figure above).
GOOD MARGARITAS AMBIANCE
Gaslight Bourgeois Pig La Tropicana
Port Fonda Limestone Lawrence Beer Co. Mi Ranchito
DISCUSSION: If you’re looking for a quality cocktail and a great meal, La Parilla, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, and 715 Restaurant are among my favorites. Need some fresh air and sunshine with your marg? Check out NoLaw favorites Gaslight Gardens and La Tropicana, and downtown staple Cielito Lindo. If you feel like queso, great service, and solid food options, Tortas Jalisco and El Mezcal provide a dependable house marg. A handful of nominees checked all the boxes for this margarita lover: Port Fonda, Limestone, Mi Ranchito, and newcomer Lawrence Beer Co all served up amazing food, enthusiastic service, justright ambiance, and, of course, delicious margaritas. Bottom line: they’re all good margs, Brent.
Sam, Stuffing and Chardonnay at Love Garden Sounds
made,
Kwik Shop, Ad Astra
Running & Sunflower
Outdoor and Bike
Dr. John W. Keller, Plastic Surgery
Specialists of Lawrence
“Second place means I don’t have to give up my day job, and the smaller tiara, it fits better,” says Anne Patterson, 2017 Second-Place Best of Lawrence Teacher (Higher Education category). “And I get both congratulations and sympathy.”
Patterson and I are commiserating at Lawrence’s Second-Best Place for Coffee, La Prima Tazza, comparing notes on the dubious honor of secondom. I myself won Second-Best Social Media Individual, and vowed defiantly, in a nearly first-rate rant, that I would frequent only second-best establishments in 2017. There are a lot of 2017 second-best winners—187 of them to be exact over all categories, so my options were wide open. Food? Bigg’s BBQ, Ramen Bowls, Ladybird, Checkers. Tattoo? Abraxas. Church? St. John the Evangelist. Plastic Surgeon? Dr. John W. Keller. All of them providing the second-best (according to last year’s Best of Lawrence voters) of what Lawrence has to offer!
When you think about it, there is something very Kansan and solid about second place. It’s reputable and respectable without being show-offish. And in this contest, some seconds make a lot of sense—The Burger Stand’s Second-Best Secret Menu for example. The secret? There is no menu. “Employees have come up with a lot of our secret menu … it’s not written down anywhere,” says manager Aaron Lauridsan conspiratorially. “We have Shame Fries, fries with poutine topped by our habanero cactus jam. I don’t know where the name came from. A lot of people know about it.” Shame, it seems, gets around this town quickly.
Some seconds seem a little too convenient. Scrolling the list, I see Big Jay listed as second-place mascot. First— Baby Jay. Now this is interesting. Baby has always had an edge; she’s smaller, presumably more lithe, and her job is to be adorable. How can Big Jay compete? Is Big Jay jealous of this #1 spot upstart? The answer from Spirit Squad Coordinator Cat Jarzemkoski is a resounding “no.” “There is no rivalry between Baby Jay and Big Jay. They are proud to be on top, and of course they are on top.” Chesty Lion, last year’s third-place finisher was unavailable for comment.
Some BOL second-place finishers didn’t even know they were second-best. Ad Astra owner J. Jenkins, skeptically impressed, says, “This is a surprise, and so close to an honor.” Clinton Lake State Park, Second-Best Park to Best of Lawrence Park South Park, seemed a little bitter. Park manager Bruce Hessman, when asked what Clinton Lake had going over South Park said “Well, we have a lake. And bathrooms. And we’re improving our archery range.” Watch out, South Park!
I loved Dempsey’s Second-Best Burger spirit, and it was apparent manager Evan and line chef Nick are looking to win the gold (which I tried not to hold against them).
When asked how they hoped to make #1, Nick said, “Get a little goodness in every bite,” and Evan said, “Get out of your comfort zone.” I’m not sure if you should try both at once without a Second-Place Doctor from Family Medical Associates around. Maybe this coming year I’ll give it a try. The 2018 results in these pages might be opening up a whole range of second-best options for me, but for now I’ll be downtown eating Shame Fries and creating a Remorse Burger with all my second-best pals.
A big thanks to the Boys and Girls Club, Lawrence Humane Society, Lawrence Public Library, the Lawrence Arts Center,
Bert Nash Community Mental Health, Parks and Recreation, LMH, the Journal-World, parade and festival committee members, city staff, and those who champion strong character and diversity. Big thanks to past and current city commissioners for their vision, which helped form the city as it is today.
