Best of Lawrence 2023

Thanks for recognizing Stephens Real Estate as “Best of Lawrence.” We appreciate your support, and we can’t wait to help you buy or sell your home. We’ll put in the time to understand what you want and where you want to go. Then we’ll help you get there. That’s great service. That’s the Stephens approach. Let’s get started today! stephensre.com

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the 2023 edition of Best of Lawrence magazine!

As always, our team at Sunflower Publishing is thrilled to bring you another issue that highlights the people, organizations and businesses that make Lawrence so special.

This year we’re celebrating the Class of 2023 by throwing it back to simpler times when all you worried about was who was going to sign your yearbook on the last day of school, minus the overly gelled hair and baggy pants … or maybe that’s still an issue for you. You’ll receive no judgment from our team either way.

Each year our team chooses a never-been-done-before theme that will commemorate the past year. While working on this issue, it became obvious that a Best of Lawrence is at its core—a yearbook. With each annual issue, we publish a magazine that provides written record of our progress, change and pursuit of being an accepting and inclusive city. We hope you will see it as that, too.

For those who are new here, the purpose of our contest, in partnership with the , is a celebratory reflection of the values and aspirations that our city chooses to honor. The following pages will take you through the sections of the Best of Lawrence, featuring Top 5 placement results, city facts and more.

Thank you to everyone who dedicated time to create this issue. Without you, this

Congratulations on another great year, Class of 2023!

SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING

PUBLISHER

Bill Uhler

DIRECTOR

Bob Cucciniello

ART DIRECTOR

Alex Tatro EDITORS

Nathan Pettengill

Kalli Jo Smith

Jean Teller

Elizabeth Walters

COPY EDITOR

Leslie Clugston Andres

MAGAZINE ADVERTISING

Joanne Morgan 785.832.7264

jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com

Angie Taylor 785.832.7236

ataylor@sunflowerpub.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fally Afani

Jason Dailey

Brian Goodman

LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD PUBLISHER

Chad Lawhorn

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Allison Tait

ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER

Susan Cooper

ADVERTISING

Jeff Cuttell 785.832.7295

jcuttell@ljworld.com

Tricia Thompson 785.832.7162

tthompson@ljworld.com

Peter Steimle 785.832.7119

psteimle@ljworld.com

Best of Lawrence is a collaboration between Lawrence Journal-World and Sunflower Publishing

Graphic illustration by Alex Tatro

Here’s to you, class of ’23!

Every Best of Lawrence class is special, but the BOL Class of ‘23 deserves to be particularly proud of what you’ve achieved.

After all, it’s been an unbelievable, unpredictable four years, hasn’t it? You started out in 2020 in a world turned upside down with normal routines and expectations on lockdown. Then 2021 came with new promise as the city cautiously returned to some of its favorite places and events. The pace picked up in 2022, and Lawrence was back on track with a championship team parading down Mass. Street and new plans being made.

And here you are … how did it get to be ’23 already? But don’t fret, class, the city has proven that—come what may—Lawrence will always honor its longtime favorites while welcoming new faces into the community. Here’s to your final gathering as the BOL class of ’23 and our collective chance to honor some of the best among us who make this city the very best place to be!

"MVP"

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Crystal Voth, owner of Auntie Em’s Deli & Bakery, says consistency and quality are the two values that have kept their eatery open and popular for the past 13 years.

“We really have not changed the menu since the beginning,” Voth explains. “Sometimes it seems scary not having something new; however I’ve learned that it works.”

A key component of that consistency is the deli’s meats and cheeses from quality suppliers such as the family-owned Troyer, while other items such as the soups are commonly made from scratch.

One thing has changed.

When Voth opened the deli in 2010, she

Newbies

JB’s Cali Fusion

2nd - Food Truck

4th - New Restaurant

4th - Burrito

It started with a risk. Jordan Beber was studying psychology and business at KU when he decided to drop out and use his tuition money to buy a taco truck.

“I really enjoyed studying psychology, but I just had a lot more fun cooking,” he explains. “One day a food truck became available nearby for me, and I just decided to go for it.”

After dedicating five years to running JB’s Tacos food truck, Beber felt ready to take his business to the next level. Drawing on a menu inspired by his California roots, Beber opened JB’s Cali Fusion in October 2022. Located on Vermont Street in the former Terrebonne location, the kitchen space is a step-up from Beber’s wheels.

While living in Southern California, Beber discovered the unique flavors of Korean-Mexican fusion. At the new location, french fries replace rice and beans, and pad thai serves as the perfect burrito filling. “The combinations of the two just works so well together that I had

to bring that kind of style here,” Beber says.

thought most of its business might come from lake traffic, which makes sense given the deli’s location off Wakarusa and 23rd Street puts it near Clinton Lake’s most popular access points. And Auntie Em’s does get customers heading off to fish or enjoy the lake.

But the location also puts the deli near another huge attraction—the Lawrence Dog Park. Apparently, while dogs work up an appetite running around the park’s creeks and woods, so do the humans who then stop by the deli with their well-exercised dogs in tow.

“We’ve met a lot of pups along the way,” Voth explains.

Beber says his success has been surreal, and reminisces about his visits to Lawrence as a kid. “I just remember loving all the restaurants,” he says. “It’s crazy to think… that was 14 years ago, and now I’m actually part of one of the downtown, or downtown-adjacent, restaurants that I used to go to when I was younger.”

Auntie Em’s Deli & bakery

5th - Place for Pie

Crystal Voth, owner of Auntie Em’s, and grandson Tucker Thompson, who works at the deli, represent the business’s familyowned and family-friendly approach.

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

ASIAN FOOD (NON-CHINESE)

1) Encore Asian Bistro

2) Zen Zero

3) Lucky Seb’s Dumpling Bar & Grill

4) India Palace

5) Little Saigon Cafe

BAKERY

1) Munchers Bakery

2) WheatFields Bakery

3) 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe

4) Tous les Jours

5) Jen’s Sugar Shack

BARBECUE

1) Biemer’s BBQ

2) Bigg’s BBQ

3) Stanley James Smokehouse

4) Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q

5) Lucky Seb’s Dumpling Bar & Grill

BARISTA

1) Trey Huslig, Uplift Coffee Shop

2) Alyssa Lamb, The Koffee Korner

3) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig

4) Haedyn Bell, The Roost & 1900 Barker on Mass

5) Madison Luchsinger, The Roost

BREAKFAST SPOT

1) The Roost

2) Ladybird Diner

3) The Big Biscuit

4) First Watch

5) Milton’s Cafe

BURRITO

1) Burrito King

2) El Potro Mexican Cafe

3) Chipotle Mexican Grill

4) JB’s Cali Fusion

5) La Estrella Tienda Mexicana

5) Pancho’s Mexican Food

BUTCHER SHOP/MEAT COUNTER

1) Leeway Butcher

2) Checkers Foods

3) Yoder Meats

4) Hy-Vee

5) The Merc Co+op

CAKES, SPECIALITY

1) Munchers Bakery

2) Kopriva Cakes

3) McLain’s Market

4) Wheatfields Bakery

5) Tous les Jours

CATERING

1) Maceli’s Banquet Hall & Catering

2) Evan Williams Catering

3) Biemer’s BBQ

3) Terrebonne Po Boys

5) Hy-Vee

CHEF

1) T.K. Peterson, Merchants Pub & Plate

2) Will Soo, Lucky Seb’s Dumpling Bar & Grill

3) Greg Renck, Terrebonne Po Boys 4) Daniel Galina, Maceli’s

5) Amber Cersovsky, Free State Brewing Company

CHINESE FOOD

COOKIES, SPECIALITY

1) Eileen’s Colossal Cookies

2) CC’s Cookie Co.

3) Kopriva Cakes

4) Hot Box Cookies

5) WheatFields Bakery

CURBSIDE SERVICE

1) Maceli’s

2) Sandwich Bowl

2) Terrebonne Po’ Boys

4) Chick-fil-A

5) Uplift Coffee

DELIVERY (RESTAURANT)

1) Pizza Shuttle

2) Jade Garden

3) Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant

4) The Mad Greek

5) Minsky’s Pizza Cafe & Bar

DESSERT

1) Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream

2) Ladybird Diner

3) WheatFields Bakery

4) 715 Restaurant

5) Munchers Bakery

FOOD TRUCK

1) Uplift Mobile Coffee Truck

2) JB’s Tacos

3) The Mad Greek

4) Amber Scullery

5) BAP Stop

FRENCH FRIES

1) The Burger Stand at the Casbah

2) Dempsey’s Burger Pub

3) Terrebonne Po’ Boys

4) Five Guys

5) Runza

FRESH PRODUCE

1) Checkers Foods

2) Lawrence Farmers’ Market

3) The Merc Co+op

4) Sprouts Farmers Market

5) Dillons

GROCERY STORE

1) Checkers Foods

2) Dillons Food StoreMultiple Locations

3) The Merc Co+op

4) Hy-Vee

5) ALDI

HAMBURGER

1) The Burger Stand at the Casbah

2) Dempsey’s Burger Pub

3) Five Guys

4) Johnny’s Tavern

5) Burgers By Biggs

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL GROCER

1) Checkers Foods

2) F MART

3) Au Marché

4) La Estrella Tienda Mexicana

5) Mediterranean Market & Cafe

ITALIAN FOOD

1) The Basil Leaf Cafe

2) 715 Restaurant

3) The Mad Greek

4) Limestone Pizza • Kitchen • Bar

5) Morningstar’s N.Y. Pizza

Jordan Beber

SUPERLATIVES

MAC & CHEESE

1) 23rd Street Brewery

2) Merchants Pub & Plate

3) Free State Brewing Company

4) Maceli’s

...

Jen’s Sugar Shack

5th - Bakery

Specializing in weddings and events, Jenna Polvin’s bakery business, Jen’s Sugar Shack, found its footing in the community a little over a year ago.

“It’s been a year now but technically three years of me getting my start,” Polvin says.

In 2019, Polvin’s bakery journey began when she decided to take a few culinary classes at Johnson County Community College. Though she was unable to finish at JCCC due to family circumstances, Polvin knew her time in the baking industry wasn’t over. Keen on not giving up, she joined the team at Eileen’s Colossal Cookies and quickly became dedicated to the craft.

“Eileen’s was where I learned a lot. I learned about decorating, and Becky and Sarah up there were a huge help at the time,” she says.

She then moved on to McClain’s Bakery.

“I started doing more baking on the side to gain more practice,” she says. “I was hoping to turn it into something more, but you know, starting your own business is an expensive process.”

Despite the financial hesitations, Polvin has continued to educate herself. Though she is still parttime with her bakery business, Polvin has managed to build her own clientele for over a year. She is thankful for the people who helped her get where she is today.

“Eileen’s was a big help,” she says. “My dad, though, is someone who really helped me. Especially when I was first starting out. My dad helped me buy my first KitchenAid [mixer].”

As time continues, Polvin feels grateful for the people she gets to work with.

“The people here, they’re very welcoming and they gave great feedback. I’ve had a lot of returning customers. That means a lot,” she says.

ARE

5) Lawrence KS Wing Co.

5) Noodles & Co.

MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

1) The Mad Greek

2) Aladdin Cafe

3) Mediterranean Market & Cafe

4) Culinaria Mediterranean Kitchen

5) The Fresh Mediterranean Co.

MEXICAN FOOD

1) El Potro Mexican Cafe

2) La Estrella Tienda Mexicana

3) Molcajete’s

4) Lulu’s Latin Food

5) Mi Ranchito

MODERN AMERICAN CUISINE

1) Merchants Pub & Plate

2) 715 Restaurant

3) Free State Brewing Company

4) Big Mill

5) Terrebonne Po Boys

Most Likely to Succeed … is Venue 1235. The inside of the venue is beautiful, and I see their business thriving. It’s an easy commute with such friendly owners.

Most Involved in the Community … is Eileen’s Colossal Cookies. As being someone who has worked for Eileen’s, I know the amount of love and joy they bring the community with their delicious cookies. They truly have their best interest in the community!

Best All-Around

… is McGrew Real Estate. I don’t think I could say enough great things about McGrew. In addition to their awesome communication, the Cheri Drake Team made buying a home quick and easy.

WINNERS

THE

NEW RESTAURANT

1) Taylor’s Donuts

2) 1900 Barker on Mass

3) Wine Dive + Kitchen

4) JB’s Cali Fusion

5) Lawrence KS Wing Co.

OUTDOOR DINING

1) 715 Restaurant

2) Fields & Ivy Brewery

3) Cielito Lindo

4) Lawrence Beer Company

5) The Mad Greek

OVERALL RESTAURANT

1) 715 Restaurant

2) Free State Brewing Company

3) Merchants Pub & Plate

4) Terrebonne Po’ Boys

5) Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar

PIZZA

1) Limestone Pizza • Kitchen • Bar

2) Papa Keno’s Pizzeria

3) Big Mill

4) Minsky’s Pizza Cafe & Bar

5) Pizza Shuttle

PLACE FOR COFFEE

1) Uplift Coffee

2) J&S Coffee

3) La Prima Tazza

4) Z’s Divine Espresso

5) Java Break

PLACE FOR PIE

1) Ladybird Diner

2) Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

3) WheatFields Bakery

4) Munchers Bakery

AND

5) Auntie Em’s Deli & Bakery

PLACE FOR TEA

1) Bubble Box

2) Brits

3) HiTea

4) House of CHá

5) Uplift Coffee

PLACE TO BUY A DOUGHNUT

1) Munchers Bakery

2) Taylor’s Donuts

3) Dunkin’

4) Slow Rise Donuts

5) McLain’s Market

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

The Mad Greek

Supporting Roles

Founded in 1988, The Mad Greek has been a mainstay of downtown Lawrence since it moved to 907 Massachusetts Street in 1993. Now owned by Deb and Theo Tagtalianidis, the restaurant employs a team of 44 people. The couple purchased the restaurant from the original owners about 10 years ago.

When asked about her team, Deb says, “I would say they’re the best in town. We have dedicated, hard-working people who truly care about what they do. I think they’re all friends too. We think of our team as an extension of our family since we are family owned and operated.”

Theo is the head chef for the restaurant, and their oldest daughter, Whitney, does marketing and books the food truck; younger daughter Ellie is a server at the restaurant.

Deb says they are fortunate, not only for having a great team, but also being in Lawrence with a loyal following. “We have so many loyal regulars, and the fact that it’s a college town, we basically get new customers every semester.”

She thinks good leadership and good communication are both part of making the restaurant’s team so successful. “People stay and want to work. Because it’s tough right now.”

When asked what she’d say to her team, Deb responds, “Thank you for the hard work and dedication and for hanging in there in these kind of crazy and rough times. And thank you for being part of our big fat Greek family.”

(Top row, left to right) Gabriel Sayer, Mari Simba, Theo Tagtalianidis, Deb Tagtalianidis, Whitney Robinson, Matt Long, Todd Soden (Bottom row, left to right) Amy P. Wilson, Jillian Over, Nicole Gonzalez

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Kopriva Cakes

Since the moment she set foot in the kitchen, Natasha Kopriva, owner and founder of Kopriva Cakes, knew she had found her passion. Before opening her own business, however, she learned the art of baking while working at Eileen’s Colossal Cookies from 2014 to 2017.

“It was extremely fast paced and always busy. It’s crazy how much they pump out on a daily basis,” Kopriva says.

Not even a year into her position, Kopriva found herself immersed in the world of baking and edible decorating.

“[The owner] taught me how to make my first wedding cake. She stayed up with me until 3 a.m. teaching me how to build a three-tier cake. After that, I fell in love with being a small part of people’s celebrations,” Kopriva says.

Despite the everyday challenges that come with being a small business owner, Kopriva says she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I enjoy the creativity of baking, and every day being different. Most importantly, I enjoy the fulfillment I get from simply seeing people’s reactions to their baked goods,” she says. “Even on the hardest days, I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Overall Royale

The biggest prize in the Food & Dining section is the Overall Restaurant category with 72 approved entries fighting for the top spot. In recent years, this has been a close battle between three top contenders: 715, Free State Brewing Company, and Merchant’s Pub & Plate, who finished in that order for 2023. But each of the other 69 restaurants have a loyal fan base as well, with 76% of the vote split between them.

Most Involved in the Community … is Eileen’s Colossal Cookies because, between local events, fundraisers, donations and regular purchases, their delicious product is everywhere.

Best All Around … Merchants because not only do they have the most amazing power couple running their business, but their food and ambiance are top tier.

Most Likely to Save the Planet … their ability to spread awareness about sustainability via their social media—which is motivation enough to treat our planet better.

2nd - Cakes (Specialty) 3rd - Cookies (Specialty)

Newbies

Taylor’s Donuts

1st - New Restaurant

2nd - Place To Buy A Doughnut

Taylor Petrehn is reimagining the doughnut. A veteran to the Lawrence bakery scene, Petrehn has operated 1900 Barker for eight years. When it came to doughnuts, he knew they could do more than a single display case tray. Thus, Taylor’s Donuts opened last fall, giving Petrehn the space to dedicate an entire menu to ring-shaped pastries.

Similar to 1900 Barker on 19th Street, Taylor’s Donuts set up shop in a renovated laundromat. “We’ve kept a couple buildings that were just probably going to get bulldozed,” Petrehn says, noting the significance of the location. “We have customers that come in and are like, ‘the smell that we get just from walking down the street from our house to here is like one of the most special parts of our morning.’ You can’t say that of every place because not every place is in the middle of a neighborhood.”

The rotating lineup of treats allows the team at Taylor’s to explore new flavors. Next to the original vanilla glazed, they offer unique combinations such as melon and fig, guava and chamoy, and maple carrot cake. “We’ve really tried to emphasize having an attitude of curiosity about everything we do,” Petrehn says. “Curious about our product and how to make it better, but also curious about each other, and how to do a good job of being humans in the workplace.”

(From top to bottom, left to right) Carly Pearch, Taylor Petrehn, Matty Sibbett, Christian Tahmasiyan

...

ARE

THE MERC CO+OP

1st - Place For Health & Nutrition Goods

3rd- Grocery Store

3rd - Fresh Produce

5th - Butcher Shop/Meat Counter

5th - Place To Work (Medium 25-100)

WINNERS

SALAD

1) Jason’s Deli

2) Merchants Pub & Plate

3) 23rd Street Brewery

4) Free State Brewing Company

5) The Mad Greek

SANDWICH

1) Yello Sub

2) Sandwich Bowl

3) Terrebonne Po’ Boys

4) Latchkey Deli

5) WheatFields Bakery

SEAFOOD

1) Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar

2) Terrebonne Po’ Boys

3) Krustaceans Seafood

4) 715 Restaurant

5) J. Wilson’s

STEAK

1) Texas Roadhouse

2) 6 Mile ChopHouse & Tavern

3) 715 Restaurant

4) Merchants Pub & Plate

5) J. Wilson’s

SUSHI

1) Nagoya Japanese Cuisine

2) Tokyo Sushi

3) Sushi Station

4) Moriki Sushi

5) Oriental Bistro & Grill

TACOS

1) La Estrella Tienda Mexicana

2) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

3) El Potro Mexican Cafe

4) Taco Zone

5) Rusty Taco

TATER TOTS

1) Leeway Franks

2) Sonic Drive-In

3) Taco John’s

4) Jefferson’s

5) The Burger Stand at The Casbah

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD

1) Encore Asian Bistro

2) Culinaria Mediterranean Kitchen

Since 1975, the Merc Co+op at 901 Iowa Street has been an integral part of the Lawrence scene. The food co-op is owned by more than 9,500 members of the community, and general manager Rita York Hennecke says they employ more than 100 people between the local and Kansas City stores.

When asked to describe her team, Rita says, “Our team is full of hardworking folks who are driven by the cooperative business model and dedicated to fresh, local food, sustainability, and food justice.”

From the beginning, when it was known as the Community Mercantile, the Merc has been all about locally produced, fresh, whole foods. “Like the co-op as a whole, our team is proof that good food brings people together,” Rita says. “Whether sharing cooking tips, helping someone navigate the

wellness aisle, launching a new hot bar recipe, or high-fiving each other on a job well done, our team cares about providing a welcoming environment and experience for shoppers and for each other.”

Anyone can become a memberowner, with a small investment of money and time. Ownership offers a wide range of benefits, including voting for the board of directors and an opportunity to serve on the board of directors.

“Over the course of nearly 50 years of serving Lawrence, it’s taken a lot of different players to keep us going, including staff, board members, owners, and shoppers,” she says.

“I want to thank each and every player—from our past, present, and future—for sharing your unique talents, personalities, and passions with our co-op.”

THE

Supporting Roles AND

2) Zen Zero

4) Global Cafe

5) Aladdin Cafe

WINGS

1) R Bar & Patio

2) Jefferson’s

3) Lawrence KS Wing Co.

4) Buffalo Wild Wings

5) Wingstop

(From left to right) Laura Marsh, Raquel Salazar, Ned Robertson, Rita York Hennecke, Tobin Ishmael, Valerie Taylor, Nia Caluya, Bobby Joe Grubb, Pat Barrett, and Erin Shea

"MVP"

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Keeping the state’s longest continually operating farmers market going strong requires many skills. For one, there’s the discipline of waking up early Saturday morning. Marketing manager Anna Skenadore and development director Emily Lysen are up at 5 a.m.

Lawrence Farmers’ Market

2nd - Fresh Produce 5th - Nonprofit (Adult/ Senior Services)

Doughnut Dynasty

For years, Munchers Bakery has not simply won the Doughnut category, but dominated it. That changed slightly this year with the opening of Tayor’s Donuts which pulled in 21% of

the total votes in this category. In most categories, 21% of the vote would get you the win … but not in this one where Munchers rolled up 59% of the votes to retain its title.

“But the farmers are up at 3,” Skenadore clarifies.

The overall success, Lysen adds, lies with 46 years of farmers coming together and a governing board of grower-vendors who support the market and ensure it remains relevant at a time when—thankfully—local growers have many possibilities and outlets to connect directly to customers.

Lysen says much of the market’s success comes from it being more than a market.

“We’re a community hub,” Lysen says. “You can come to the market and have breakfast and coffee with your friends. You can learn about nonprofit organizations from around town, you can bring your dog and walk, or your kids can join the children’s activities.”

Seeding the fields for future success also means supporting new farms and ventures. Since 2020, the market has added more than 30 new vendors, most recently a vermiculture composting bin vendor—so now the market offers vegetables, fruits, tamales, baked goods … and homes for worms!

Anna Skenadore (left) and Emily Lysen wake up early—but not “farmer early”—to keep the Lawrence Farmers’ Market going strong.

Newbies

L.e.s.s.

3rd - New Business

"MVP"

Spencer Museum of Art

- Art Gallery

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

A public art museum has been part of the University of Kansas campus since 1917 and at its current location south of Memorial Stadium since 1978. Since 2005, Saralyn Reece Hardy has directed the university’s Spencer Museum of Art and expanded the museum’s commitment to serving both the public and academic community with space for galleries, archives, research, and engagement.

“It is a very deliberate approach. One of our main audiences is students because we see ourselves as having a role in a more creative, imaginative … future, and the community

In her latest entrepreneurial endeavor, Jasmine Hyde has one thing in mind: the environment. The visionary behind the Lawrence Eco-conscious Sustainability Shop (L.e.s.s.), Hyde opened her shop on Earth Day in 2022. The business has since become a resource for people seeking sustainable options. With a focus on waste reduction, L.e.s.s.. offers a unique shopping experience by inviting customers to bring their own containers to refill with household essentials. Having been part of the Lawrence community for six years, Hyde saw a need for a local sustainable bulk store, and was determined to make her vision a reality.

“I love seeing how excited

is very important,” Reece Hardy says. “But there is also this rich and robust social ecology of Lawrence, a whole community of eager, lifelong learners. There are people who like to be left alone and go through the galleries, and there are other people who like to be guided. I think [our mission] is being ready, being open, and being responsive to people of all different kinds of interest.”

The Spencer’s galleries remain free to the public, with guided tours provided for groups of five or more and individual viewings of the archive collections available upon request.

5th

Saralyn Reece Hardy serves as director of the Spencer Museum of Art.

...

everybody is for this and the amount of people that say they’ve been looking for something like this in Lawrence… and just how positive everybody

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (BIZ)

1) Ashley King, Free State Dental

2) Cory Murphy, Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital

3) Haley Patterson, Bridge Haven Memory Care

4) Candi Williams, Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital

5) Erin Mayer, The Chiropractic Element

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (NONPROFITS/GOV./GROUPS)

1) Amy Hope, Just Food

2) Dawn Salisbury, West Middle School

3) Jane Bowers, JobLinkCottonwood Inc.

4) Lisa Jones, Prairie Park Elementary

5) Brenna Lane, Sunset Hill Elementary

ART GALLERY

1) Lawrence Arts Center

2) Cider Gallery

3) Phoenix Art Gallery

4) Art Love Collective

5) Spencer Museum of Art

COMMUNITY LANDMARK

1) 23rd Street Bison Statue

2) Lawrence Public Library

3) Memorial Campanile

4) South Park Gazebo

5) Fraser Hall

COMMUNITY LEADER (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Shannon Wells, Lawrence Humane Society

2) Demetrius Kemp, Kindness Is The Key

3) Don “Red Dog” Gardner, Red Dog’s Dog Days

4) Jeff Sigler, Sigler Pharmacy

5) Aundrea Walker, Just Food

COMMUNITY LEADER

(RACIAL JUSTICE/ EQUITY ISSUES)

1) Demetrius Kemp, Lawrence Public Schools

2) Wendo Kimori, NAACP Youth Council

3) Lori Hasselman, Native American Student Success Coordinator, KU

4) Ursula Minor, NAACP’s Lawrence Branch

5) Carole Cadue-Blackwood, Lawrence Public Schools

EVENT VENUE

1) Abe & Jake’s Landing

1) Maceli’s Banquet Hall & Catering

3) Liberty Hall

4) Cider Gallery

5) Venue 1235

HOTEL

1) Eldridge Hotel

2) The Oread Hotel

3) Circle S Ranch & Country Inn

4) Double Tree by Hilton

5) TownePlace Suites Marriott

JAYHAWK ATHLETE

1) Dajuan Harris Jr., Men’s Basketball

2) Devin Neal, Football

3) Zakiyah Franklin, Women’s Basketball

4) Holly Kersgieter, Women’s Basketball

5) Amber Haden, Rowing

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) Warhawk, West Middle School

Jasmine Hyde

SUPERLATIVES

NEW BUSINESS

1) Art Love Collective

2) Wild Birds Unlimited

3) L.e.s.s.

4) Ready for Good Co.

...

Aundrea Walker, Just Food

1st

2nd - Social Media (Org. Or Nonprofit)

3rd - Place To Work (Under 25)

For Aundrea Walker, working for an organization like Just Food isn’t just a job—it’s a lifelong passion. After growing up in a small town with no grocery store, Walker recognized the importance of having access to nutritious food at an early age. Soon enough, that knowledge turned into a love for helping others.

For the past eight years, Walker has dedicated herself to working as Just Food’s program manager. Now, as interim executive director, Walker’s passion for helping others is easy to see.

“I love the Lawrence community; it’s a gem. The community is so incredibly engaged and collaborative,” she says. “I am so passionate about bringing people and community together. Whether it be within the realm of collaboration, education [or] support.”

In her free time, Walker spends her days surrounded by a menagerie of animals on her 10-acre farm.

“I love fostering dogs and cats when I can as well,” she says.

She also enjoys traveling and engaging with different communities and cultures in the community.

“Lawrence’s restaurant community is unparalleled, and I love the creative process each of the restaurants go through in creating their menus,” she says.

ARE

5) The Bump Store

NONPROFIT (ADULT/SENIOR SERVICES)

1) Just Food

2) Cottonwood Inc.

3) Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

4) Lawrence PRIDE

5) Lawrence Farmers’ Market

NONPROFIT (CHILDREN/YOUTH SERVICES)

1) Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence

2) Lawrence Public Library

3) Ballard Center

4) JHM Woodworks

5) Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Douglas County

NONPROFIT (FAMILY SERVICES)

1) Family Promise of Lawrence

2) 100 Good Women

3) DCCCA

4) Heartland Community Health Center

Best All-Around … is Mass Street Fish House. Between their staff, atmosphere, menu variety and cocktail menu, it’s unmatched.

Most Likely Save to the Planet … is L.e.s.s. If you haven’t checked out this store in downtown Lawrence, they have the most innovative home goods.

Most Likely to Cheer You Up … is Lawrence Humane Society. If you ever need a pick-me-up, head on over. Between the dogs, cats and staff, you’ll always leave with a smile.

WINNERS

THE

AND

5) Lawrence Arts Center

NONPROFIT (LAND, PRESERVATION, ANIMALS)

1) Lawrence Humane Society

2) Baker Wetlands Discovery Center

3) Prairie Park Nature Center

4) Sunrise Project

5) Friends of the Kaw

NONPROFIT (EVENT)

1) Art in the Park, The Lawrence Art Guild

2) Lawrence PRIDE Parade, Lawrence PRIDE

3) Lawrence Busker Festival

4) Salute! A Festival of Wine and Food

5) Festival of Trees, O’Connell Children’s Shelter

OUTDOOR MURAL

1) George Floyd by Xavier Martinez

2) Mass Street Music by Louis Copt

3) East Lawrence Waltz (Hobbs Park Stadium) by Dave Lowenstein and others

4) Celebration of Cultures in Massachusetts St. 800 block breezeway

5) Good Standing Amidst the Powers that Be (Cottin’s Hardware) by Ardys Ramberg and Missy McCoy

PLACE OF WORSHIP

1) Plymouth Congregational Church

2) Corpus Christi Catholic Church

3) St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

4) Velocity Church

5) First United Methodist Church

PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER (FREE ATTRACTION)

1) Downtown Lawrence

2) Allen Fieldhouse

3) Wakarusa Wetlands

4) Clinton Lake

5) University of Kansas Natural History Museum

PLACE TO WORK (100+ EMPLOYEES)

1) University of Kansas

2) Cottonwood Inc.

3) LMH Health

4) DCCCA

5) KU Endowment

5th - Community Leader

- Nonprofit (Adult/Senior Services)

We

sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

1st - Administrative Assistant (nonprofits/gov./groups) - Amy Hope

LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER

1st - Art Gallery

1st - Dance Studio

2nd - Teacher (preschool) - Andria Devlin

4th - Place To Work (Medium 25-100)

5th - Nonprofit (Family Services)

Supporting Roles

The Lawrence Arts Center team includes more members than one might think. “We have 52 employees and more than 250 contractors,” says Margaret Weisbrod Morris, chief executive officer. “We are one of the largest employers of artists in the state.”

Anywhere from 75 to 100 artists are in the building at 940 New Hampshire Street at any given time, she says. “They’re all very talented and they’re all working artists. They’re also really fun. We’re in the business of bringing joy and fun, and they’re all people who are able to cultivate that,” she says.

Weisbrod Morris considers her team to be “magical unicorns.” “They’re just fun and creative people. They always find something to enjoy. Even during the pandemic, even though it was a really rough time, every day people here found something to enjoy and find joy in.”

The Arts Center, Weisbrod Morris believes, benefits from the talents of the team. “We’re in the business of bringing joy into the community, and we really take that job seriously. We’re serious about joy.”

She says the center and the staff are able to do what they do because the team is so good. “They’re so talented, they’re so positive, they’re so dedicated. They all share the same vision. Artists want everyone to benefit from what we bring to people’s lives.”

(From left to right, front to back) Donika Wiley, Claire Buss, Veronica Valdivia, Jennifer Donnelly, Andria Devlin, Shantel Wright-Hancock, Alex Olson, Sophie Sawver, Amanda Roberts, Becky Rogers, Hana Misko, Blanca Herrada, Lisa Purdon, Cindy Hart, Kelsey Weiss, Linda Reimond

DAWN SALISBURY school secretary, West Middle School

2nd - Administrative Assistant

Supporting Roles

“It was like coming home”, says Dawn Salisbury, school secretary at West Middle School, 2700 Harvard Road. Back in the 1980s, Dawn was a student at the school, and that’s how she felt when she returned in 2018 as a member of the front-office staff.

The administrative staff numbers seven, with about 80 other team members in the building. “We get along great, it’s a great place to work, and it’s like family,” Dawn says. “[The team] just makes my job even more enjoyable.”

She says knowing her job helps to better the lives of the students and their families is a major source of career satisfaction. It’s a role she enjoys. “I don’t know that I would want another job,” she says. “This job was meant for me.”

She points out that the team at West Middle School is not just the faculty or the front-office staff. The team includes classified and certified staff as well. “It’s every single person that takes an active role. It’s just not a one-woman show. It’s a family show. I would like to thank everyone in my orbit who makes me a better person every day.”

(From front to back, left to right) Kristen Hermreck, Dawn Salisbury, Tiffany Fike, Lisa Greenwood, Stephne Bowen, Laura Anne Grammer

Newbies

Art Love Collective

1st - New Business

4th - Art Gallery

When Hollie Blakeney arrived in Lawrence eight years ago, she was taken aback by the absence of an official artist organization. “It’s such a creative community, so in the back of my mind, I was always thinking, ‘wouldn’t it be cool to open a collective gallery?’” Blakeney is no stranger to this business. In 2007, she founded Chartreuse, a small gallery that doubled as her personal art studio. Eventually, the gallery adopted the co-op model.

This March, 16 years after Chartreuse’s opening, Blakeney, along with fellow local artist Morgan Long, opened Art Love Collective. Following the Chartreuse system, Art Love Collective operates under a model where artists pay a monthly membership fee to create steady revenue for the gallery, as well as to allow artists to make larger profits. Members are encouraged to be involved in the business, helping in the store, serving on committees, and attending events.

Blakeney speaks to the importance of communities offering artist co-op opportunities, noting that in traditional galleries, artists typically take only about half their sales. “I really believe that artists need to see that producing art can be a viable income source,” Blakeney says. “For us to be able to keep as much in the pockets of the artists as possible was really important because that will give people the motivation to create more and the confidence.”

PLACE TO WORK (25–100 EMPLOYEES)

1) Lawrence Humane Society

2) Lawrence Public Library

3) Pennington & Company

4) Lawrence Arts Center

...

ARE

5) The Merc Co+op

PLACE TO WORK (UNDER 25 EMPLOYEES)

1) Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

2) Ladybird Diner

3) Just Food

4) Cottin’s Hardware & Rental

5) Kring’s Interiors

PRINCIPAL

1) Jeremy Philipp, Sunset Hill Elementary School

2) Amy McAnarney, Free State High School

3) Dr. Carissa Miles, Southwest Middle School

4) Amanda Green, Broken Arrow Elementary

5) Dr. Bill DeWitt, College & Career Academy

RADIO STATION

1) KJHK 90.7 FM

WINNERS

THE

2) KPR (KANU 91.5 FM or K241 AR 96.1 FM)

3) KKSW 105.9 FM

4) KLWN 1320 AM / 101.7 FM

5) LawrenceHits.com

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

1) Brandon Woods at Alvamar

2) Bridge Haven Memory Care LLC

3) Neuvant House of Lawrence

4) Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community

5) Lawrence Presbyterian Manor

SHOP (OR OFFICE) PET

1) Dave, Wonder Fair

2) Sugar, Lawrence Humane Society

3) Sirius & Pretzel, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery

4) Dashiell, The Raven Book Store

5) Dinah-Mite, The Dusty Bookshelf

SOCIAL MEDIA (ANIMAL)

1) Sugar @sugar_the_communityresourcecat

2) Mass. Street Kitten Academy @massstreetkittenacademy

3) Pretzel @luckycatpretzel

4) Ted @HugsForAmerica

5) Banjo@banjo.dreams

SOCIAL MEDIA (BUSINESS)

1) Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

2) Ladybird Diner

3) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

4) 715 Restaurant

5) Drone Lawrence

SOCIAL MEDIA (CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT)

1) Live Love Local Lawrence

2) Kansas Public Radio

TEACHER (PRESCHOOL)

1) Michelayn Agnew, Kennedy Early Childhood Center

2) Andria Devlin, Lawrence Arts Center

3) Rachael Bassett, Lawrence Montessori School

4) Georgiane Boss, Googols of Learning

5) Lori MacDonald, Stepping Stones

TEACHER (GRADES K–5)

1) Susan Lomshek, Corpus Christi Catholic School

2) Kaitlyn VanZuiden, Corpus Christi Catholic School

3) Kylie Garber, Langston Hughes Elementary

4) Gabrielle Severns, Prairie Park Elementary

5) Hannah Hurst, Deerfield Elementary

TEACHER (GRADES 6–8)

1) Craig McCauley, West Middle School

2) Kelly Barker, Southwest Middle School

2) Maria Scott Pope, Billy Mills Middle School

4) Barb Nitz, Southwest Middle School

5) Chris Fertig, Corpus Christi Catholic School

TEACHER (GRADES 9–12)

1) Elaine Hendrickson, Lawrence Free State High School

2) Jeff Plinsky, Lawrence High School

3) Adam Leitel, Free State High School (in memoriam)

4) Tracy Murray, Lawrence High School

5) Debbie Rask, Veritas Christian School

TEACHER (UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS)

1) Shuai Sun

2) Amii Castle

3) Mary Klayder

4) Anne Patterson

5) Susan Williams

WORKING OR SERVICE ANIMAL

1) Cheeseburger, Lawrence Police Department

2) Pedro Pistachio, Woodlawn Elementary School

3) Wayne, Free State High School

4) Shakti, Founding dog of Loving Paws Animal Therapy Program

5) Prairie Park Nature Center Animal Ambassadors

AND

3) I Heart Local Music

4) The Original LFK for Dummies

5) KJHK 90.7 FM

5) Lawrence Modern

SOCIAL MEDIA (ORG. OR NONPROFIT)

1) Lawrence Humane Society

2) Just Food

3) Cottonwood Inc.

4) Lawrence Public Library

5) DCCCA

(From left to right) Holly Blakeney and Morgan Long

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Ashley King Free State Dental

For Ashley King, working as an office manager for Free State Dental isn’t business—it’s personal.

In 2009, King was a single mother and in need of a job. Dr. Van Blaricum offered her a position and an opportunity to create a support system that would see her through the next 14 years.

“My job gives me a sense of belonging. It has made me who I am,” King says. “He [Dr. Blaricum] took me in as a young, single mother. He trusted in me. He invested in me. He was my cheerleader in a time when I needed it most.”

Over the years, King has enjoyed interacting with those she works with, whether patients or co-workers.

“The people I interact with day in and day out, patients and coworkers, are my friends. In the dental field, I see most patients multiple times a year. I get to watch children grow up. I get to build relationships with hundreds of families. Hear about their vacations, mourn with them during times of loss, celebrate their accomplishments. It’s way more than just a job. It’s my life. And it’s perfect,” she says.

When she’s not in the office, King spends most weekends surrounded by her Free State Dental family.

“We work hard but we also know how to make it fun. We laugh together, cry together, we support each other, we even hang out outside of work. That’s right, all the time,” she says. “I don’t know what I would do without each one of them. I’m so blessed to work with such an epic group.”

Baby Jay is Back!

After missing out on the nomination round last year, Baby Jay returned to the ballot this year and once more dominated the Mascot category. Not even the combined votes of Big Jay and KU’s newest unofficial mascot, Plunger Boy, could have stopped Baby Jay.

have a great community involvement in town, and I follow them on Facebook. They are always helping others in need, whether its financial, placement, personal items, etc.

Most Likely to Cheer You Up … is Allen Fieldhouse because duh! The vibe there is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The whole atmosphere is unreal. You have to see it to understand.

1st - Administrative Assistant

School rivals

For years, the Radio category has been a nailbiter showdown between the two radio stations on Mt. Oread: KJHK and KPR. This year, the lead went back and forth, but KJHK pulled out the win by 5 votes.

"MVP"

3rd - Nonprofit (Children/ Youth Services)

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Since 1965, the Ballard Center has been providing Lawrence families with crucial support in the areas of early child development, family stabilization, emergency food supplies, essential household items, professional clothes and more.

The nonprofit reported that in 2022 it served 1,388 families. More than 95% of those were from Lawrence, and 72% of all families served were working families.

The responsibility for continuing the nonprofit’s tradition of care falls on a staff of dedicated teachers, coordinators, program directors,

volunteers, and board of directors.

This year, Ballard sees a leadership transition as longtime executive director Becky Price hands her position over to Kyle Roggenkamp, the former director of development and programs.

“We are owned and operated by this community,” Roggenkamp says. “There is so much community involvement—from volunteers, to staff, to board members, to committees. I think the reason we are able to stay so relevant is because it is all-hands-ondeck in this community. We would not exist without the support of the community.”

KJHK

Ballard Center

This year, Becky Price (left) hands over the executive director position at Ballard Center to Kyle Roggenkamp.

Autographs from our winners…

A Big Thank You To

Also

Big thanks to past and current city commissioners for their vision, which helped form the city as it is today.

COTTIN’S HARDWARE & RENTAL

Supporting Roles

Cottin’s Hardware & Rental at 1832 Massachusetts Street is a familyowned and operated hardware store. Linda Cottin co-owns the store with her husband, Tom; it’s been in the family since 1946. They currently have a team of 15, which Linda says is an all-time high.

“The team is fantastic. They’re very customer oriented; they just want to help anybody with anything,” Linda says. “Our motto is ‘customer service supersedes all other duties.’ And they adhere to that at all times.”

The store stocks hardware, paint, tools, lawn and garden items, housewares, plumbing, electrical, brewing supplies, and beekeeping equipment.

When she talks about her team, Linda says, “They care and they want to help. We’re basically a customerservice business that sells hardware. Customer service is our main focus, selling the hardware comes in second place to that. We’re all about helping people. And a lot of times we help people with non-hardware, related stuff.”

Linda says they’re lucky to have so many great people working with them. To the staff, she says, “Thank you for caring so much and putting in so much effort to maintain the energy level at the hardware store and focusing on the customers. You’re the best of the best.”

(From left to right) Luke Thonen, John McGee, Kaylynn McGee, Lana Scott, Sam Phillips, Eva Markoulatos, Geoff Kelly, Alek Olivares

The Bump Store Newbies

ANTIQUE/VINTAGE STORE

1) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

2) Lawrence Antique Mall

3) Arizona Trading Co.

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

4) Wild Man Vintage

5) Junk-N-Disorderly

5) Reclaimed by Michele

APPLIANCE SHOP

1) Stoneback Appliance

2) Cottin’s Hardware & Rental

3) Menards

4) Home Depot

5) Best Buy

BIKE SHOP

1) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop

2) The Lawrence Re-Cyclery

3) Cycle Works

4) Trek Bicycle Lawrence

5) CycleFix

BOOKSTORE

1) The Raven Book Store

2) The Dusty Bookshelf

3) Friends of the Lawrence Public Library

4) The Toy Store

5) Chops Comics

CBD SHOP

1) CBD of Lawrence

2) CBD American Shaman (6th St.)

3) CBD American Shaman (Mass St.)

4) Neon Leaf Smoke Shop

5) Black Diamond CBD

DEPARTMENT STORE

1) Weaver’s

2) The Third Planet

3) T.J. Maxx

4) Target

5) Kohl’s

DRESS SHOP OR FORMAL WEAR

1) Weaver’s

2) J.Lynn Bridal

3) Eccentricity Women’s Clothing

4) The Bump Store

5) Arizona Trading Co.

FLOWER SHOP

1) Owens Flower Shop

2) Englewood Florist

3) Pendleton’s Kaw Valley Country Market

4) Dillons Floral

5) Hy-Vee Floral

FURNITURE STORE

1) Winfield House

2) Ready for Good Co.

3) Eagles’ Rest

4) HomeGoods

5) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore

GARDENING STORE

1) Jungle House

2) Clinton Parkway Nursery

3) Howard Pine’s Garden Center & Greenhouse

4) One Heart Farm & Nursery

5) Earl May Nursery & Garden Center

GIFT SHOP

1) LMH Gift Shop

2) Ruff House Paperie

3) Wonder Fair

4) Phoenix Gallery

5) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

"MVP"

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Eccentricity

2nd - Women's Clothing Store

3rd - Dress Shop or Formal Wear

Smallest Categories

The two smallest categories in the Shopping section were Bike Shop and CBD Shop, each with 7 approved entries. If you open a CBD Bike Shop next year then you could possibly compete in two of the smallest—but high- vote-gathering—categories.

Running a clothing and accessories store is a constant race to keep just ahead—but not too far ahead—of trends and fashions.

Owner Morgan Fellers says she is fortunate that Lawrence is a community with its own taste, and one that she has grown to understand, anticipate, and maybe even nudge every now and then.

“I kind of go with what I think will resonate with the Lawrence community,” Fellers explains. “When trends happen that I don’t think are great, they usually fade out pretty fast.”

But even when you know a community, sometimes you just have to take a guess and make a push for the unexpected.

“Right now, we are really embracing the over-the-top sparkle and shine, which can resonate with some people but is definitely something that is not going to work for every single customer,” Fellers says. “We definitely have a few of those standout pieces in the store because I love them and they make people happy whether or not they buy it. Those items always cause comments of: ‘Oh … look at this!’”

Morgan Fellers works to keep up with and set the fashion trends at her shop, Eccentricity.

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Jewelry by Julie

Julie Kingsbury became interested in handmaking jewelry pieces after a silversmithing class she attended in high school when she was 15 years old. From there, her passion for metalsmithing and jewelry design grew, and eventually she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in both subjects at the University of Kansas.

Having sold her jewelry in craft shows since 1987, Kingsbury longed to have a more permanent place to sell her designs.

“I grew up in Topeka, and I started coming to Lawrence to shop when I was a high school student. I have always felt at home in Lawrence, and I’ve always loved the quirky, fun and interesting vibe downtown,” she says. “While I was attending KU, I worked part time at Natural Way in downtown Lawrence, and I enjoyed it so much I dreamed of having my own store someday.”

Seventeen years later, Kingsbury’s dream came true when she opened Jewelry by Julie at 17 West 9th Street.

“I love having my store Jewelry by Julie in Downtown Lawrence,” she says. “I’m living my passion by doing what I love and being an entrepreneur.”

...

ARE

HARDWARE STORE

1) Cottin’s Hardware & Rental

2) Westlake Ace Hardware

3 Menards

4) The Home Depot

5) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore

JEWELRY STORE

1) Marks Jewelers

2) Goldmakers Fine Jewelry

3) Kizer Cummings Jewelers

4) Jewelry By Julie

4) Oxbow Studios

KU SOUVENIR SHOP

1) Kansas Sampler

2) KU Memorial Union Bookstore

3) Jock’s Nitch

4) The Bump Store

5) LMH Gift Shop

5) Weaver’s

LOCAL STORE OWNER

1) Terry Taylor, 1313 Mockingbird Lane and Collectibles

2) Meghan Heriford, Ladybird Diner

3) Brit Kring, Kring’s Interiors

Most Likely to Succeed … is Yoga Center of Lawrence because their motto is “Keep doing yoga and fight the good fight to keep our bodies and minds healthy through strength, balance and flexibility.”

Most Likely to Help Someone … is Marta Schwartz from Whitestone Wellness because she’s a great massage therapist and reiki practitioner.

Most Likely to Cheer Me Up … is Wheatfields Bakery because that’s where I go to get delicious lunches, bakery items and lattes.

WINNERS

THE

4th - Jewelry Store AND

4) Jennifer Thomas & Sarah Ybarra, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery

5) Jeff Sigler, Sigler Pharmacy

MEN’S CLOTHING STORE

1) Weaver’s

2) Kohl’s

3) Wild Man Vintage

4) Arizona Trading Co.

5) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop

MUSIC STORE

1) Love Garden Sounds

2) Mass Street Music

3) Beautiful Music Violin Shop

4) Richards Music Co.

5) Supersonic Music

PETS AND PET SUPPLIES

1) Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery

2) Pet World

3) Lawrence Humane Society

4) Pawsh Wash and Pet Health Market

5) Petco

PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR

1) Laird Noller Auto Group

2) Crown Toyota Volkswagen

3) Dale Willey - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC

4) Dale Willey - Honda

4) McCarthy Subaru of Lawrence

PLACE TO BUY A USED CAR

1) Crown Toyota Volkswagen

2) Laird Noller Auto Group

3) Cordova Motors

4) Dale Willey - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC

5) Dale Willey - Honda

5) The Selection

SECOND-HAND/PAWN SHOP

1) Arizona Trading Co.

2) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

3) Lawrence Antique Mall

4) The Bump Store

5) The Dusty Bookshelf

SHOE STORE

1) Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

2) Famous Footwear

3) Ad Astra Running

4) Garry Gribble’s Running Sports

5) Footprints

CLINTON PARKWAY NURSERY

2nd - Gardening Store

Supporting Roles

With the seasonal nature of the business, the team at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, is mainly part-time. “Awesome” is how owner Ann Peuser describes her team.

“We can’t hire full-time because we don’t have that much to do to keep them busy during the winter. Even though they’re part time, they still step up to the plate and do a good job.”

She says her 10 employees are great because they care. “They take care of me but they take care of the customer too.”

May is the nursery’s biggest month, she says, and they had more than 3,000 sales in that month this year. “It’ll start slowing down now; it varies drastically depending on time of year. The months of January

and February, if we get 25 or 30, we’re doing good.”

She’s well aware that it’s tough to keep employees these days, so she tells them often “how great and wonderful they are. They do a good job.”

The team members have to have a wide knowledge base.

“You get questions here from shrubs to perennials to chemicals to mulches,” she says. “You may have to go over it several times, but they get it, they figure it out. This time of the year, they’re almost always on their own, and they can take care of most of the questions themselves. It always amazes me if they are really interested and care, how much they pick up in a short amount of time.”

SPORTING GOODS

1) Dick’s Sporting Goods

2) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop

3) Ad Astra Running

4) Garry Gribble’s Running Sports

5) River Rat Print & Skate

TOY STORE

1) The Toy Store

... SHOPPING

2) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

3) Game Nut Entertainment

4) ReHome

5) 2 Shy Kids

UNIQUE STORE

1) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

2) Wonder Fair

3) Brits

4) Wild Birds Unlimited

5) Au Marché

VINTAGE CLOTHING

1) Arizona Trading Co.

2) Wild Man Vintage

3) The Bump Store

WINNERS

THE

4) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

5) Lawrence Antique Mall

WINDOW DISPLAY

1) The Toy Store

2) Ruff House Paperie

3) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles

4) Weaver’s

5) Wonder Fair

WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE

1) Weaver’s

2) Eccentricity Women’s Clothing

3) Arizona Trading Co.

4) KB & Co.

5) The Bump Store

ARE 37 Best of Lawrence 2023

(From left to right) Natalia Camacho, Sam Gann, Ann Peuser, Ginger Wehner, Emilie DeKnight

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

The Toy Store

1st - Toy Store

1st - Window Display

4th - Bookstore

The Toy Store has been a beloved Lawrence business since 2000. Initially founded in 1975 by Mary Ellen Warner in Topeka, the store made its way to the area after Warner fell ill and her daughter, Margaret, took over the business and expanded it. Soon, Margaret’s son, Nick Guffey, and his wife, Emily, joined the team. After a few moves, the business found its home at 936 Massachusetts Street.

Although the love for the family-owned business runs deep, coowning and operating a toy store wasn’t what Emily had in mind when she attained her teaching degree before jumping into the business.

“This was my plan B when I was a younger adult. I originally went to college to be a high school teacher,” she says.

After she suffered the burn-out so many teachers experience from long hours and late nights, she found herself working part time at The Toy Store’s Topeka location. As many, including Emily, would say, the rest is history.

“Even though I don’t use my degree as originally intended, I have used it in other ways by training our staff about the importance of play in a child’s life,” she says.

Since their arrival, the team cherishes the growth of their business, as well as the diverse group of people they get to work with.

“Whether that’s watching our customers growing up and being introduced to new toys or new businesses opening in Downtown, there’s a love and support of growth. We want each other to succeed,” Emily says. “We [also] have a diverse group of people that work for us; we have people whose ages range from still in high school to retired, different cultures, different gender identities, and we all can find commonality within the business of children and play.”

Eldridge Hotel for its long-standing history with Lawrence.

Most Unforgettable Business … is 1313 Mockingbird Lane because of their unique interior and amazing selection of collectibles.

Pet’s Best Friend

This year’s voting created another close contest in the Pets & Pet Supplies category, Lucky Dog Pet Bakery & Grocery beat out Pet World by 3 votes. Together, the top two slots accounted for 50% of the votes in this category.

Largest category

The largest category in the Shopping category is Local Store Owner with 120 approved entries. It’s hard to stand out with such a crowded field, but winner Terry Taylor of 1313 Mockingbird Lane and Collectibles won the top prize with 5% of the total votes.

First Place

Second to Fifth Place

All other entries

Newbies

Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu

2nd - Martial Arts

Matt and Heidi Thompson first learned self-defense techniques as Air Force medics who needed to safely deal with combative patients. As they delved deeper into the art of jiu jitsu, the Thompsons discovered a passion for the possibilities beyond self-defense in the form of a business. The couple opened Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu in December 2022 after a decade of training. “Over the 16 to 17 years, we decided we should just teach this stuff,” Matt says. “We’ve done it so long, and we just kind of fell in love with it.”

In addition to the practical benefits of learning jiu jitsu, Matt also preaches about the community that has come from their classes.

“We have everyone from a garbage man to an eye surgeon,” he says.

“We have a pretty diverse group of students. We always try to build that strong community and have a diverse group of people.”

The Thompsons believe the skills taught in jiu jitsu are important for everyone to foster. “At the core of it, it’s self-defense,” Matt explains.

“If someone was to hold you down, or get on top of you, how would you deal with that situation? If you don’t know how to, it’s a good time to train.”

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

ACUPUNCTURE

1) Julie Bear Don’t Walk

2) Mud & Lotus Outdoor Soaking Tub & Sauna

3) Body Specific

4) Abby Hanson, The Chiropractic Element

5) Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic

ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER

1) Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

2) DCCCA

3) Heartland Community Health Center

4) First Step at Lakeview

5) Dahlia Trauma & Wellness Center, LLC

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE

1) Lara Rivera

2) Natalie Gepford

3) Pam Pray

4) Lilly Mason

5) Melinda Lavon

CHIROPRACTOR

1) Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic

2) Advanced Chiropractic Services

3) The Chiropractic Element

4) Risley Chiropractic

5) Restore Chiropractic & Rehab

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER (PUBLIC)

1) Sports Pavilion (Rock Chalk Park)

2) Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center

3) Holcom Park Recreation Center

4) East Lawrence Recreation Center

5) Lawrence Community Building

DANCE STUDIO

1) Lawrence Arts Center

2) Sunflower State Dance

3) Dance Gallery

4) Dazzlers Dance

5) Dance Hues Studio

DAY SPA/WELLNESS CENTER

1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

2) Body Specific, LLC

3) Elevate Arts of Wellness Massage and Float Spa

4) Mud & Lotus Outdoor Soaking Tub & Sauna

5) S. Thetics Medspa + Wellbeing

DENTAL PRACTICE

1) Cascade Dental Care

2) Free State Dental

3) Lawrence Dental Center (Drs. Heinbach, Larkin, Robbins, Salava)

4) Peterson, Krische & Van Horn, DDS

5) The Dentists In Lawrence

EYEWEAR OR VISION CENTER

1) Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

2) Drs. Dobbins & Letourneau Eye Care

3) The EyeDoctors

4) Lawrence Eye Care Associates, PA

5) Atteberry Eye Centers, LLC

FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE

1) Lawrence Family Practice Center

2) AdventHealth Medical Group Lawrence

3) Family Centered Medicine, LLC

4) Free State Family Medicine

5) Internal Medicine Group

GOLF COURSE (TRADITIONAL AND DISC)

1) Eagle Bend Golf Course

2) Lawrence Country Club

3) The Jayhawk Club

4) Centennial Park

5) Orchards Golf Course

Matt and Heidi Thompson

SUNFLOWER STATE DANCE

2nd - Dance Studio

Supporting Roles

Rachel Weitekamp, owner of Sunflower State Dance, located at 2004 E. 23rd Street, is in the process of adding to her team. She usually has three other dance instructors besides herself for the studio.

“I think that as a small business it’s impossible to run a smooth and successful operation without a good team by your side. You’re only as strong as your team,” she says. She sees a team as a cohesive group of people with the same goals and values.

Communication is key, Rachel says. “We need to be able to collaborate and be able to bounce ideas back and forth and know what’s coming next.”

She says one of the best things about having a team is that “we can all bring our strengths together to give the best possible instruction to our students and get to grow together to become better teachers.”

Rachel is looking forward to working with a new team. She says she would tell them that in addition to providing opportunities for teaching, being at Sunflower State Dance is also about being a mentor. “We get to collaborate, gain feedback, and participate in mentorships on how to become the best teacher one can be, not only through myself but through other certifications and trainings in the dance industry.”

GYM OR FITNESS CENTER (PRIVATE)

1) Genesis Health Clubs

2) Prime Martial Arts

3) Evolution Athletics

4) BLUSH Boot Camp

5) Crunch Fitness - Lawrence

HEARING AID PROVIDER/AUDIOLOGIST

1) Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates

2) Associated Audiologists (formerly Marston Hearing Centers)

3) Kaw Valley Hearing

4) Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, University of Kansas

5) Beltone Hearing Center

HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS

1) Baker Wetlands

2) Clinton Lake Trails

3) The Lawrence Loop

4) Rock Chalk Park

5) Prairie Park Nature Trail

MARTIAL ARTS

1) Prime Martial Arts

2) Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu

3) Caio Terra Academy Lawrence

4) Premier Martial Arts

5) Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

MASSAGE THERAPIST (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Jennifer Baldwin, Renew by Jennifer

2) Presley Hasselman, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

3) Beth Hand, Natural Balance Massage

4) Danielle Steffan, Beauty Brands

5) Marta Schwartz-Calderon, WhiteStone Wellness Center

MASSAGE THERAPY (GROUP OR OFFICE)

1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

2) Body Specific

3) Elevate Arts of Wellness Massage and Float Spa

4) Renew by Jennifer

5) Beauty Brands

MEDICAL CLINIC

1) Lawrence Family Practice Center

2) Heartland Community Health Center

3) AdventHealth Medical Group Lawrence

4) Family Centered Medicine, LLC

5) Atma Clinic: Rediscover Your Health

MEDICAL DOCTOR (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Loree Cordova, AdventHealth Medical Group of Lawrence

2) Stephanie Suber, Family Centered Medicine, LLC

3) Chad Johanning, Lawrence Family Practice

4) Scarlett Aldrich, Plastic Surgery Specialists of Lawrence

5) Alana Ryan, Lawrence Family Practice Center

MEDICAL SPA

1) Body Specific

2) S. Thetics Medspa + Wellbeing

3) Sunflower Aesthetics

4) Lawrence Plastic Surgery

5) Simple Wellness

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (OTHER THAN LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST OR LICENSED PSYCHIATRIST)

1) Raven Rajani, LSCSW

2) Sunnie Dreu Shedd, LSCSW, LMAC, Sun of the Times Therapy, LLC

3) Jordan Mayfield, Family Psychological Services

4) Alex Rodenbeek, LSCSW, Heartland Community Health Center

5) Tamara Henley, Family Psychological Services

Rachel Weitekamp

Enjoy the bright side.

Better days are ahead. Get ready to breathe a bit easier, stress a lot less and enjoy a carefree connection with our bright tech and even brighter services.

Largest Category

One of the largest categories in the Health & Fitness category is Mental Health Counselor (other than licensed psychologist or psychiatrist) with 92 approved entries. This amount marks a rise in numbers for the second year straight, and might indicate a return to the 100+ level it was before the pandemic.

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

NURSE/NURSE PRACTITIONER/ PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

1) Lisa Russell, Heartland Community Health Center

2) Adrian Cade, APRN, C&M Psychiatric Services, LLC

2) Tori Carbaugh, LMH Health

4) David A. Thomas, LMH Health

5) Britani Congleton, Family Centered Medicine, LLC

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

1) Jess Reed, LMH Health

2) Hillary Brunin, Sound Speech Therapy

3) Karen Hill, USD 497

4) Ashley Miller, LMH Health Therapy Pediatrics

5) Tamara Councilman, LMH Therapy Services

OPTOMETRIST (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Kenny Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

2) Kevin Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

3) Sharon Green, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic

4) John Harvat, The EyeDoctors Optometrists

5) Jacob Letourneau, Drs. Dobbins & Letourneau Eyecare Lawrence

ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE

1) Ranjbar Orthodontics

2) Oread Orthodontics

3) McColm Orthodontics

4) Freestate Dental

5) Oral Surgery Kansas, LC

PEDIATRIC CARE

1) Panda Pediatrics - Heartland Community Health Center

2) Sound Speech Therapy

3) Lawrence Pediatrics

4) Speech Solutions, LLC

5) Lawrence Family Practice Center

PERSONAL TRAINER

1) Zach & Whitney Schneider, SchneiderFIT

2) Tyler Naylor, Evolution Athletics

3) Eric Wells, WellsWeights

4) Abby Hale, BLUSH Boot Camp

5) Elijah Jacobs, Evolution Athletics

PHARMACY

1) Orchards Drug

2) Sigler Pharmacy

3) Jayhawk Pharmacy

4) Dillons Pharmacy

5) Walgreens Pharmacy

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

1) Tyrel Reed, Orthokansas, LLC

2) Brady Caffee, Athletico

3) Garrett Greaves, OrthoKansas, LLC

4) Kevin Bird, Bird Physical Therapy

5) Jodi Morgan, LMH Health

PLACE FOR HEALTH & NUTRITION GOODS

1) The Merc Co+op

2) Sprouts Farmers Market

3) Natural Grocers

4) Ad Astra Running

5) t.Loft

PLACE FOR YOGA CLASSES

1) Bluestem Yoga

2) Lava Yoga Studio

3) Yoga Center of Lawrence

4) OmTree Shala @ Sunflower Wellness Studio

5) Yellow Brick Yoga

PSYCHIATRIST (LICENSED)

1) Nana Dadson, M.D.

2) Taylor Porter, M.D.

3) Eeman Akhtar, M.D.

3) Eric Atwood, D.O.

5) Matthew Carey, M.D.

PSYCHOLOGIST (LICENSED)

1) Christy Blanchard

2) Wes Crenshaw

3) Kirsten Watkins

4) Christian Vargas

5) William Spencer Payne

REGISTERED/LICENSED DIETITIAN

1) Free State Nutrition

2) Mandy Peers-Greaves

3) Ashley Combs, BSND

4) Lisa Njoroge, LDCHD

5) Staci D. Hendrickson

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

1) Jennifer Cannady, Kansas Voice Center

2) Lisa Graves, Speech Solutions, LLC

3) Kimberly Williams, Sound Speech Therapy

4) Jana Wallen, Sound Speech Therapy

5) Natalie Moore, Sound Speech Therapy

SPORTS MEDICINE

1) OrthoKansas

2) Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic

3) Athletico Physical Therapy

4) Sports Medicine & Performance Center, University of Kansas Health System

5) Advanced Chiropractic Services

SURGEON (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Scarlett Aldrich, Plastic Surgery Specialists of Lawrence

2) Dr. Jeff Randall, KU Sports Medicine

3) Blake Conklin, LMH Health

3) Lee Reussner, MD, Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates

5) Stephan L. Prô, MD

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Body Specific

1st - Medical Spa

2nd - Day Spa/Wellness Center

2nd - Massage Therapy (group/office)

2nd - Waxing/Hair Removal

3rd - Acupuncture

5th - Esthetician, Alexus Jones

As a licensed massage therapist for more than 20 years, Lisa Lahm, founder and co-owner of Body Specific, strives to help people feel better physically and mentally. Although she began her solo practice, Massage Specific, in 2011, she knew she wanted to expand her massage services with co-owner Leah Henderson at her side. Massage Specific soon turned into Body Specific.

“When we decided to go into business together, we knew we did not want to limit it to massage services, so that is what we came up with,” Henderson says.

When putting together their business plan, they knew Lawrence was the right place for them.

“Lawrence is a health-conscious city, and (residents) look for alternatives to traditional medicine,” Henderson says. “We saw the need to offer services that help our clients make a lifestyle change and include wellness routines in that change.”

Body Specific will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary this year.

“We have such an amazing group of people right now that we get to work with daily. We both can truly say we enjoy and look forward to going to work every day,” Henderson says. “As for our clients, we have some of the most kind and loyal clients in town.”

Most Likely to Help Someone in Need … is Dunco Heating and Cooling. They are always giving back to the community in multiple ways.

Best All-Around Business … is Sarah Williamson CPA. They go above and beyond with the services we receive from them.

Most Likely to Start a Talk Show … is Jeff Burkhead because he genuinely is interested in the people he meets and interacts with. He would never be at a loss for great questions to ask his guests.

Midwives Arrived!

The category of Midwife debuted in Best of Lawrence 2023. This category had been suggested in previous years, but was finally able to enter the contest after reaching the required threshold of five valid nominations.

yoga center of lawrence

"MVP"

Most Likely to Cheer You Up … Munchers has been around forever and has just such a phenomenal array of goodies in a relaxing atmosphere.

Most Unforgettable … The Lied Center is impressive with so many concerts and events.

Most Unforgettable (Business) … Fields & Ivy always has something new on the menu and is always coming up with different beers. You always want to go back to see what’s new.

3rd - Place For Yoga Classes

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Lawrence’s oldest yoga center has been holding classes since 1999. The studio teaches Iyengar yoga, a school that focuses on the body’s structural alignment and uses support material, or props, to accommodate students’ various builds and abilities.

“Part of the discipline is we are looking at each person,” explains studio owner and instructor Anne Underwood. “In the Iyengar method, we are taught to see who is in front of us and what to actually do for them.”

“And the Yoga Center is really good as you age,” adds instructor Karen Matheis. “If you are working through the aging process on balance and flexibility and all

those things you need to do when you are aging, then Iyengar is the best.”

In addition to holding classes at their downtown studio, the instructors have also begun leading breakout sessions at corporate events and working with groups for special occasions.

Recently, Matheis led a yoga class for members of a KU sorority and their mothers for moms’ weekend.

“It was so much fun!” Matheis says. “They were getting ready to study for their finals, and they came away from this with tools for their stress. It was lovely.”

Yoga Center of Lawrence instructors include (from left) Karen Matheis, Anne Underwood, and Sara Crangle.

Three-Shot Lead!

We know, golf is different. You don’t want to run up the numbers in this sport … unless you are playing Best of Lawrence Golf Course voting. This year, the numbers were coming in at almost even rates for the top golf course, but defending champion Eagle Bend Golf Course pulled out a victory by three votes to retain the title.

BLUSH BOOT CAMP

Supporting Roles

“I have the most amazing team,” says Crystal Tredway, owner of Blush Boot Camp, 3514 Clinton Parkway, Suite H. She credits her team of nine personal trainers and babysitters for the business’s success. “We all get along well, and we support each other 100%.”

While she’s occupied with consulting and owner duties, she says her team “always shows up for me and they bend over backwards to make sure our business is up and running.” Crystal is pregnant and says her team has been very supportive when she’s been unable to be at work.

The boot camp’s main purpose is to empower women. “The team is good about making women feel comfortable when they come in here. Making them feel like they are strong women. The team wants to make our clients feel strong right away and help them through all the challenges they’re going to have when they’re inside our gym.”

When asked what she’d say to her team, she says, “Probably the same thing I tell them all the time. That they are absolutely amazing. I’m very thankful for them for supporting me, just being there for me. Starting my own business has been hard. They’re the reason the club is so successful—because they are so good to not only me but our women as well.”

4th - Gym or Fitness Center (private)

(From left to right) Marleigh Grant, Andi Allen, Reanna Slagle, Lizzy Lemmon, Crystal Tredway, Shelby Hay, Abby Hale, Josie Martinez

What a year, Class of ’23! You showed you knew how to throw a party and get things done. Here’s a look back at just some of the events in this jam-packed 2022–2023 year of excitement.

Pride Parade celebrates all the love and community in the heart of Lawrence.

Photograph by Jason Dailey

Haskell Indian Nations University welcomes returning students with the annual fall Powwow.

Photograph by Ryan Coody

Singer-songwriter legend Ani DiFranco takes the stage at Liberty Hall.

Photograph by Daymon Gardner

The Paper Plains Literary Festival closes out big with events featuring luminaries such as Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead.

Another big year for Lawrence’s big St. Patrick’s Day Parade—fun, some spring sun, and serious financial support for charities.

Photograph by Fally Afani

The Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade never goes out of fashion.

Photograph by Fally Afani

Lawrence artist Joel leoJ releases a new album.

Photograph by Fally Afani

Elizabeth Keever spins the wheel at Just Food’s Game Gala.

Photograph by Racheal Major

Jamey Mossengren and his Unicycling Unicorn pedal back into town for the annual Lawrence Busker Festival.

Photograph by Fally Afani

Loop it! Another section goes down and the Lawrence Loop is closer to completion.

Photograph by Brian Goodman

Strike up the band! KU Football has a super season.

Photograph by Fally Afani

Barbers unite! Watson’s Barbershop hosts the first annual Cuttin’ It Up! competition.

Photograph by Fally Afani

LAWRENCE! Thank You

For voting McGrew Real Estate as one of the top 5 Real Estate Agencies!

TOP 5

and congratulations to our McGrew REALTORS® for being named in the top 5!

Nicholas Lerner

Bailey Stuart

Kimberly Williams

Justin W. Labart DDS, MD

Newbies

Black Chapel Tattoo

Steven Bridgman & Jake Rieb

...

ARE

Nestled in the ninth block corner of Massachusetts Street, Black Chapel Tattoo is a newcomer to the Lawrence arts scene. Owners Jake Rieb and Steven Bridgman opened the shop in February 2023 hoping to inspire fellow artists in their craft.

“We tried to create a space that not only people can feel comfortable to get a tattoo in, but a place that clients and friends can hang out and not feel obligated to be spending money,” Rieb says. “We try and treat it less as a business and more of a place we would consider to be a second home to us.”

Rieb has been in the business since 2015. Throughout his journey as an artist, he realized that many shops treat tattoos as transactional, a practice Black Chapel has made efforts to steer away from.

“We definitely look at it as more of like an art form and less of an actual money-motivated thing,” Rieb says. “We try to keep it a place where two different minds can collectively come up with a longlasting image that both people will be happy with over time, instead of a pushy in-and-out-type of place.”

WINNERS

THE

AND

ACCOUNTING/TAX CONSULTING (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Sarah Williamson, Sarah Williamson CPA LLC

2) Jerrad Humerickhouse, Hume’s Tax Service

3) Ben Miller, Benjamin L. Miller, CPA, LLC

4) Cameron Humerickhouse, Hume’s Tax Service

5) Isaac Gardner, Hume’s Tax Service

ACCOUNTING/TAX CONSULTING FIRM

1) Hume’s Tax Service

2) Sarah Williamson CPA, LLC

3) The Roark Group, LLC

4) Ben L. Miller, CPA, LLC

5) Kindred CPA, LLC

ADVERTISING/MARKETING SERVICES

1) Fabulux Media

2) 3 Clever Broads

3) Wildman Web Solutions

4) Woods X Creative

5) Flory Design

APPLIANCE REPAIR

1) Stoneback Appliance

2) Steve’s Appliance Repair

3) Price’s Appliance Repair

4) Ted’s Appliance Repair

5) Eastern Appliance Repair LLC

AUTO BODY REPAIR

1) Hite Collision Repair Center

2) Crown Automotive

3) Bryant Collision Repair

4) Pearson Collision Repair Inc.

5) Dale Willey Automotive Body Center

AUTO SERVICE REPAIR

1) Westside 66 and Carwash

2) Dale and Ron’s Auto Service Inc.

3) Big O Tires

4) Crown Automotive

5) D & D Tire Inc.

5) K’s Tire Sales and Services

BANK

1) Capitol Federal

2) Central Bank of the Midwest

3) Commerce Bank

4) US Bank

5) Great American Bank

BARBER

1) Downtown Barber Shop

2) Tailored Men

3) Amyx Barbershop

4) Watson’s Barber Shop

5) Wildflower Hair Company

CAR WASH

1) Club Car Wash

2) Tommy’s Express Car Wash

3) Auto Plaza Car Wash

4) Shucks Detailing

5) EvelinsAutoCare

CHILDCARE CENTER

1) Stepping Stones

2) Hilltop Child Development Center

3) Googols of Learning

4) Ms. Leslie’s Daycare

5) Raintree Montessori School

CLEANING/MAID SERVICES

1) Buckingham Palace

Cleaning Services

2) The Organizing Witch

3) Eco Clean Ellie’s Cleaning and Organization Services

4) Marvelous Mom’s LLC

5) Getaway Cleaning Services LLC

(From left) Steven Bridgman and Jake Rieb

2nd - Tattoo Artist

1st - Tattoo Artist

"MVP"

Most Likely to Help Someone in Need ... is Britani Congleton, a physician’s assistant with Family Center Medicine. They have given me unparalleled care and are always fast-acting and seem to care about your health.

Most Likely to Save the Planet ... is Ryan Rastok, owner of Lawrence

Dunco Heating & Cooling

1st - HVAC Services

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Since 1988, staff and management at Dunco Heating & Cooling have been installing and repairing home heating and cooling systems, which means they are used to working with customers who call them at their most frazzled and heated moments.

“We always say we are a customer service business that happens to do heating and cooling,” co-owner Diane Duncan says. “Our customers are what keep us in business.”

“And it is not just keeping our customers happy, but our employees as well,” co-owner Wayne Duncan adds. “We like to think we pay well and

give a cheerful atmosphere … and I look for people who want to do the best job for somebody, for people who want customers to be happy when the job is over.”

Currently, the company has approximately 30 employees.

“And of those, we have some new hires, but about 40% of our people have been there 8 or 9 years or longer and we have some people who have been here 20-plus years,” Diane says. “We treat our employees like family, and they go out and do a good job representing our business.”

Wayne and Diane Duncan have been cooling and heating Lawrence homes since 1988.

SUPERLATIVES

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Alex Cedeño, Paisley & Stripe West

4th - Hair Stylist

3rd - Hair Salon

For licensed cosmetologist Alex Cedeño, choosing Paisley & Stripe West to build her career as a hairstylist was a no-brainer.

Cedeño’s interest in cosmetology was piqued while working as a salon receptionist during high school in Pittsburg, Kansas. She attended the University of Arkansas but realized it was not for her, so Cedeño moved to New York City and earned a license in cosmetology. Then, the offer to work at a salon pulled her back to the Lawrence area.

“I was working at a different salon downtown and was looking for a new option. Our product rep told us they [Paisley & Stripe West], originally located in Overland Park, were opening up in Lawrence, and it had such a great reputation. I knew I needed to work with them,” she says.

Eight years later, Cedeño still enjoys building relationships with her clients.

“The salon chair has a reputation for being a therapy office, and I really cherish that trust in me,” she says.

When she’s not making hair dreams come true, Cedeño teaches prep school, also known as Paisley & Stripe’s associate program. The six months to one-year program acts as an internship for newly licensed cosmetologists.

KRING’S INTERIORS

1st - Flooring

5th - Place To Work (Under 25)

Supporting Roles

Focused on flooring, Kring’s Interiors, 634 Mass Street, is the locally owned and operated outlet for Flooring America. The store employs six interior designers, seven installation crews of one to three people each, and four support staff. Jana Flory is sales manager, and she’s also part of the design team.

“We have a very talented team, and they’ve been with us for a long time,” she says. “Longevity is important to us. We take pride in the fact we don’t have a lot of turnover. Our team helps our customers from start to finish and handles everything from when a customer walks through the door to the completion of the project. I think that’s important when someone’s doing a project as involved as those we do here.”

Kring’s also offers tiling, window treatments, kitchen and bathroom designs, and interior design services, among other products and services.

Jana says of the team at Kring’s, “They are genuinely great people. They’re people oriented and talented in their creativity and designs. Our installers are experienced [and] take pride to their work, from start to finish. Those things have gotten lost in our trade, taking pride in your work, and I think we do that from the front to the back.”

When asked what she would say to her team, Jana says, “I’m very proud of them and all their hard work. We get a lot of compliments from our customers on our customer service and how we’ve handled their projects. And I think that’s important.”

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR

1) Alpha Roofing LLC

2) B.A. Green Construction Co

3) Jason Tanking Construction

4) Natural Breeze Remodeling

5) Rainbow International of NE Kansas

COMPUTER REPAIR OR SERVICE

1) Doctor Dave Computer Repair

2) Best Buy Geek Squad

3) UNI Computers

4) Stockham Tech Revival

5) M Cubed Technologies

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

1) Construction Specialties LLC

2) Mike Wedman Homes

3) B.A. Green Construction Co

3) Midwest Framing LLC

5) Jason Tanking Construction

5) SpyderArt Constructors LLC

CREDIT UNION

1) Truity Credit Union

2) Envista Federal Credit Union

3) Meritrust Credit Union

4) Mainstreet Credit Union

5) Midwest Regional Credit Union

DRY CLEANER OR LAUNDRY

1) Scotch Fabric Care Services

2) Lawrence Laundromat

3) 31st Street Coin Laundry

4) Hillcrest Laundromat

5) Washland Laundry Service

ELECTRICIAN COMPANY

1) Good Energy Solutions

2) Hemel Electric LLC

3) Danielsan Electric

4) Lynn Electric & Communications Inc.

5) ATEC Services LLC

ESTHETICIAN

1) Andy Doll, Beauty Brands

2) Whitney Pinegar, Sunflower Aesthetics

3) Kara Easum, Volume Lash & Hair Studio

4) Stephanie Cross, S.Thetics Medspa + Wellbeing

5) Alexus Jones, Body Specific

EVENT PLANNER

1) Mackenzie Francisco, Along Came Abby

2) Mary Cronemeyer, Circle S Ranch

3) Libby Queen, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

4) Samantha Lenz, The Jayhawk Club

5) Carmen Hocking, A Beautiful Wedding

FLOORING

1) Kring’s Interiors

2) Paradise Carpet One Floor & Home

3) Five Star Flooring

4) Menards

5) Pod’s Discount Carpets

HAIR SALON

1) Wildflower Hair Company

2) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

3) Paisley & Stripe West

4) Static Hair Salon

5) Mane Haus

HAIR STYLIST

1) Kyle Teno, Beauty Brands

2) Jodi Ray, Wildflower Hair Company

3) Adrianne Morales-Jackson, Wildflower Hair Company

4) Alex Cedeño, Paisley & Stripe West

5) Emily Metzger, Locks Boutique Salon

Back row (from left): Kris Moore, Jamie Miller, Tim Greenwood and Jana Flory. Middle row (from left): Brenda Kappelman, Mark Armenta, Meredith Jacobs and Crista Burk. Front row (from left): Brian Weishaar, Brit Kring, Kate Elser and Presley Greenwood. Seated: Dodge the dog.

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

HANDYMAN

1) Homefix Lawrence LLC

2) Greg Springer Handymay Inc.

3) Billings Handyman Services, LLC

4) J. Scott Construction

5) RM Handyman Services

HOME CONTRACTOR

1) Construction Specialties

2) Mike Wedman Homes

3) Inside Out Remodeling LLC

4) Jason Tanking Construction

5) Priority Solutions LLC

HOME INSPECTOR

1) LaRue Inspection Service

2) McKinney Home Inspection

3) Ad Astra Home Inspections

4) Sanger Home Inspections

5) Clouse Inspection Services

HVAC SERVICE

1) Dunco Heating & Cooling

2) Advantage Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

3) Cloud Heating & Air Conditioning

3) Scott Temperature Equipment

5) Lippert Mechanical Servicesting

INSURANCE AGENCY (OFFICE)

1) The Sparke Agency, Farm Bureau Financial Services

2) Kurt Goeser Agency - State Farm

3) CEK Insurance

4) Patricia Reed Agency

5) Kristi R. Keefer Insurance Agency Inc.

INSURANCE AGENT

1) Ryan Sparke, Farm Bureau Financial Services

2) Kurt Goeser, State Farm

3) Pat Reed & Paul Reed, Farm Bureau Financial Services

4) Kristi R. Keefer, Farmers Insurance

5) Justin Moravec, American Family Insurance

INTERIOR DESIGNER

1) Sarah Kellogg, Construction Specialties

2) Arch + Gable

3) Winfield House

4) Paradise Carpet One Floor & Home

5) Christine Julian Interiorsn

LANDSCAPING SERVICE

1) Turf Masters Inc.

2) Turformance Lawn Services, LLC

3) Schendel Lawn and Landscape

4) Lawrence Landscape

5) GreenTouch Lawn Service

LAW FIRM

1) Stevens & Brand, LLP

2) Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher, CHTD

3) Barber Emerson, L.C

4) Fagan & Emert, LLC

5) John Frydman Defense

LAWYER

1) Amy Durkin, Stevens & Brand, LLP

2) Brennan Fagan, Fagan & Emert, LLC

3) Christopher Peoples, Riling, Burkhead, Nitcher, CHTD

4) Calvin J. Karlin, Barber Emerson L.C

5) John Frydman, John Frydman Defense

MORTGAGE BROKER/LOAN

ORIGINATOR (INDIVIDUAL)

1) Hakan Wildcat, Guardian Mortgage

2) Danielle Hugunin, Bank Midwest

3) Diane Fry, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

4) Amy Newell, Truity Credit Union

5) Andrew Madl, Mid America Bank

With its staff of 13 divided into office staff and in-the-field staff, Construction Specialties at 1213

Everybody seems to think we’re pleasant to work with and I would say that too.”

Newbies

Min/Max Photography

4th - Photographer

Matt Pool turned his photography hobby into a business. “It had been something I was doing through the restaurant,” says Pool, who co-owned RPG (Restaurant, Pub & Games).

“The long and short of it was, ‘I’m actually getting really good at this.’”

A few commissions for weddings and miscellaneous portraits sparked something in Pool: “Okay, this is a career path,” he says. “This is something we’re going to do.”

In a community like Lawrence where local creatives are abundant, Pool believes his approach has put his name on the map. “I think a lot of times people see photography as ‘everyone’s going this way, look at the camera, everyone’s smiling, click,’ and that’s just not remotely how I do photography,” Pool says. “We’re going to be screaming and yelling and running and laughing and shouting, and we’re going to take some pictures.”

As a newbie in the scene, Pool says he is overwhelmed by the amount of local support he has received.

“Lawrence does a really good job of supporting small businesses,” Pool says. “Frankly, to be someone who is fairly new to this industry and this business, and to be on this list is proof in my mind of how supportive Lawrence can be.”

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

MOVING COMPANY

1) Ebony & Ivory Onsite Moving

2) Professional Moving & Storage

3) PDS Professional Delivery Services

4) Starving Artists Moving

5) Door2Door Movers

NAIL SALON

1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

2) Salon Lotus

3) NailCraft

4) Nails by Tochii, Wildflower Hair Company

5) Elite Nails

PAINTING SERVICE

1) KB Painting, LLC

2) Construction Specialties

3) Midwest Painting and Resurfacing

4) Renaissance Painting

5) Classic Painting

PEST CONTROL

1) Haley Pest Control

2) Laser One Pest Management

3) Schendel Pest Control

4) Midwest Exterminators

5) Bracciano Pest Control

PET CARE/GROOMING

1) Pawsh Wash

2) Absolute Pawfection Pet Salon

3) Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital

4) Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital

5) EarthWise Pet Supply & Grooming

PHOTOGRAPHER

1) Blair Jennifer Photography

2) Rachel Rudeen, Rudeen

3) Jillian Rose Photography

4) Min/Max Photography

4) Molly Renee Adams

PLUMBER

1) Action Plumbing

2) Durino Plumbing

3) Blue Duck Plumbing

4) Jim Bost Plumbing

5) Jayhawk Plumbing Inc.

PRINTING SERVICE

1) Minuteman Press

2) Pro Print

3) Copy Co

4) FASTSIGNS

5) Printing Solutions

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY

1) Cherry Hill Properties

2) Midwest Property Management

3) Lawrence Property Management, LLC

4) First Management

5) Pinnacle Woods Apartments

REAL ESTATE AGENCY

1) McGrew Real Estate

2) Stephens Real Estate Inc.

3) The Northrop Team, Compass Realty Group

4) Keller Williams Integrity

5) American Dream Realty

REALTOR

1) Bailey Stuart, McGrew Real Estate

2) Nicholas Lerner, McGrew Real Estate

3) Kimberly Williams, McGrew Real Estate

4) Theresa Seiwald, Keller Williams Integrity

5) Beth & Randy Ham, Realty Executives

ROOFING COMPANY

1) Alpha Roofing

2) KSR Roofing

3) Freestate Roofing

4) Garrison Roofing

5) Eaton Roofing & Exteriors

Matt Pool

Mackenzie Francisco always had a knack for event planning, but she didn’t know this passion would lead her to the wedding industry.

As a wedding and event planner for Along Came Abby, a wedding and event-planning company owned by Abby Wempe, Francisco has enjoyed dedicating her planning skills in the community she grew up in.

“With growing up here in Lawrence, graduating from the University of Kansas, and still living here, this community really knows how to come together,” she says. “This position has allowed me to make so many connections with a variety of groups and individuals that I haven’t had the chance to work with previously, and that is something that I really enjoy. I look forward to continuing helping the community.”

Francisco is constantly inspired by the people and vendors she has the opportunity to work with.

“I love watching the project build slowly at first, then all of a sudden, you see your client and all the guests’ faces in absolute awe of what we were able to pull together,” Francisco says. “We [also] get to work alongside so many wonderful people and vendors.”

Lawrence community and would do anything to help someone else in need.

Best All-Around … is The Sandbar. It’s the place to take an out-of-towner or someone in town visiting Lawrence for the weekend.

Most Likely to Succeed … is KB & Co. Kristie Bowen started this business in the heart of downtown Lawrence as a collective boutique for girls and women of all shapes and sizes.

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

SEWING/ALTERATIONS/EMBROIDERY

1) Sew Forth Alterations and Tuxedos

2) Kathy’s Alterations

3) Two Freckled Frogs

4) Holman Needle & Ink

5) Properwear and Sew Simple Sewing

STAFFING AGENCY

1) JobLink Cottonwood Inc.

2) Manpower

3) Express Employment Professionals

4) Adecco Staffing

5) Westaff

T-SHIRT OR SCREEN PRINTING

1) Holman Needle & Ink

2) ACME

3) River Rat Print & Skate

4) Blue Collar Press

5) Grandstand

TANNING

1) Ultimate Tan

2) Sun Tan City

3) Body Boutique Fitness

4) Crunch Fitness

5) Planet Fitness

TATTOO ARTIST

1) Jake Rieb, Black Chapel Tattoo

2) Steven Bridgman, Black Chapel Tattoo

3) Carlos Ransom, Abraxas Tattoo

4) Holly Hackney, Standard Electric Tattooing

5) Erin Bratzler, Abraxas Tattoo

TAXI/LIMOUSINE/RIDE SERVICE

1) SafeRide

2) Shannon McCoy, SDM Transportation

3) Affordable Limousine Services

4) Senior Wheels

5) Lane Transportation

TRAVEL AGENT

1) Amanda Storm, Amanda’s Travels

2) Taylor Hanna-Peterson, Key to the World Travel

3) Lauren Pomeroy, AAA Travel

4) Dave Bonnel, Lawrence Travel Co.

5) Carmen Hocking, Island Dreams Travel

TREE SERVICE

1) Lawrence Arborists

2) Kansas Tree Care

3) San Marco + French Tree Service, LLC

4) Shamrock Tree Service Inc.

5) High Plains Tree Service, LLC

VENUE COORDINATOR

1) Chase Westheffer, Venue 1235

2) Mary Kaiser, Maceli’s

3) Jennifer Burkhead, Cider Gallery

3) Samantha Lenz, The Jayhawk Club

5) Kiley Nottingham, Abe & Jake’s Landing

VETERINARY CLINIC

1) Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital

2) Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital

3) Animal Hospital of Lawrence

4) Jarrett Small Animal Clinic, PA

5) Lawrence Veterinary Hospital

WAXING/HAIR REMOVAL

1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa

2) Body Specific

3) Beauty Brands

4) Wax Bar Lawrence

5) SkinKARA

recognized “Just a Sec” project, an entire year chronicled in daily, one-second images mostly about her family’s ordinary routines, life in Lawrence, and the city’s musical scene.

“Every minute of every day of your life is an opportunity for a memory, for something special— even if it is mundane. That is the premise behind ‘Just a Sec’,’’ Afani says. “Sometimes at New Year’s parties, people are like, ‘Screw that year! Let’s go on to the next year!’ But if you sit and watch a video like this

most valuable thing you can have.”

“Just a Sec” also represents a larger theme in Afani’s work—photography that documents interactions at public events.

“People can look at pictures of a concert and think, ‘Okay, that looks great.’ But if they see how a musician or drag performer or an artist or anybody interacts with fans, that will give them a desire to take part,” Afani says. “I want everybody out, active, and coming together. Showing what that can look like is what drives me.”

LIBERTY HALL

1st - Live Music Venue

3rd - Event Venue

Supporting Roles

When it comes to a live-music venue, Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts Street, is at the top of the list. General manager Dean D. Edington II says, “Sometimes you have to look at what you can do to make things vibrant and important to the present—we don’t take our status for granted.”

The Liberty Hall team consists of a core daily staff of around 12 with another dozen or so for events positions, says Dean.

When asked to describe his team, Dean says, “I’d say it’s about as disparate a grouping of fans of the arts as you can find. Definitely an eclectic collection of weird and wild humans from all over.”

The best thing about the Liberty Hall team “is how they are such different people who just mesh. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and I think we do a pretty great job of supporting each other overall,” he says.

Dean would like his team to know they’re doing a great job. “It’s not all fun and games, and the work of keeping Liberty Hall living for the greater community is often long and unglamorous, and the team has to put up with a lot. They do a great job of making sure everyone’s experience is the best it can be.”

The Lawrence community looks to Liberty Hall for music and cultural events, as well as independent films. Dean says, “Our mission has always been, and continues to be, entertainment and assembly for all, so it’s vital to keep this gem open and accessible as a place the community can enjoy, celebrate with, feel connected to, and comfortable in.”

...

ARE

WINNERS

THE

AND

ARTIST (PAINTING/SCULPTING)

1) Joanna Beard

2) Vicki Vormehr

3) Julie Hammer

4) John Sebelius

5) Liesel Anne Callahan

ARTIST (PHOTOGRAPHY/DIGITAL MEDIA)

1) Fally Afani

2) Jeff Burkhead

3) Ann Dean

4) Griffin Hastings

5) Trina Baker

BAR

1) John Brown’s Underground

2) Replay Lounge

3) Red Lyon Tavern

4) Free State Brewing Company

5) The Bourgeois Pig

BARTENDER

1) Dante Colombo, John Brown’s Underground

2) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig

3) Jordan Tucker, Red Lyon

4) David Johanning, The Sandbar

5) Rob Dover, Empire Bar and Billards

BEER SELECTION (RESTAURANT/BAR)

1) Free State Brewing Company

2) Merchants Pub & Plate

3) Lawrence Beer Company

4) 23rd Street Brewery

5) Fields & Ivy Brewery

BREWERY

1) Free State Brewing Company

2) Lawrence Beer Company

3) Fields & Ivy Brewery

4) 23rd Street Brewery

5) Black Stag Brewery & Pub

DRAG KING/QUEEN

1) Deja Brooks

2) MsAmanda Love

3) Novacayne

4) Carma Lea

4) Chay D. Boots

HAPPY HOUR

1) 715 Restaurant

2) Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar

3) 6 Mile Chop House & Tavern

4) Merchants Pub & Plate

5) 23rd Street Brewery

LIVE MUSIC VENUE

1) Liberty Hall

2) Replay Lounge

3) The Granada

4) Lucia Beer Garden + Grill

5) KU School of Music

LOCAL BAND

1) Kim and The Quake

2) ThunderKat

3) The Unfit Wives

4) The Band That Saved The World

5) OxyToxin

PERFORMANCE - MUSICAL

1) Marching Jayhawks Homecoming Performance

2) Lawrence PRIDE Concert

3) Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Theatre Lawrence

4) Lawrence Community Orchestra

Outdoor Concert

5) Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Theatre Lawrence

(Clockwise from front left) Jon Fitzgerald, Cameron Beals, Dean Edington, Genelle Dennehy, Devra Arketa and Ilse Conrad

SUPERLATIVES

Trina Baker

5th - Artist, Photography/Digital Media

Trina Baker, owner of Trina Baker Photography, found her love for taking pictures at a young age.

“In seventh grade we had these art weeks where we did four weeks of painting, weaving or photography. I took four weeks of photography. There, I learned film and found it amazing and fascinating,” she says.

In 1986, Baker began pursuing a fine arts degree in visual art at the University of Kansas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1993 and began to build her life in the community.

“I’ve lived here my entire adult life. I love everything. I love the people; the community is great, you know, how embracing it is of all sorts of different people. It’s pretty laid back, but at the same time it’s inclusive,” she says.

In 2008, Baker began photographing portraits, families and boudoir sessions. Soon her clientele grew, and in 2015 she opened her own photography studio at 801 Massachusetts Street.

“I just really like helping other people with their businesses, especially [helping] female entrepreneurs increase their visibility online,” Baker says. “I want them to see their value, presence and beauty. No matter what and who they are. It’s important to deliver photos so people can see themselves in the best light.”

Baker hopes to continue working with strong businesswomen.

“The women in this community are fierce and strong, and it’s unbelievable the strength in this community,” she says.

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

Newbies

Joanna Beard

1st - Artist - Painting/Sculpting

“I’ve always been an artist, ever since I can remember,” Joanna Beard says. A Lawrence native, Beard attributes her own mixed media paintings to the town’s quirky personality. “I’m definitely influenced by the style of the Lawrence art. That kind of style was definitely my upbringing,” she says. Despite graduating with a degree in art in 2003, Beard didn’t take her craft professionally until 2015 after a decade of exploration. “This is my style,” Beard recalls thinking after discovering collage art. “It’s very whimsical, very colorful, bright. A little bit of pop surreal, kind of dreamy.”

A bunny pictured with a display of ice cream cones, a butterflywinged horse parading on a retro television set, a woman riding a carousel through a desert: Beard’s Jojobirdart shop offers a variety of her signature paintings. Each piece reflects Beard’s commitment to create joy through art, a principle that has stayed with her throughout her career. “I think my work and my business and my life are all about just wanting to help people by creating this kind of joyous, joyful expression,” Beard says. “Seeing the quirks in things, seeing a little bit of humor in things, that’s what I want to do.”

Joanna Beard

PLACE TO GET A BLOODY MARY

1) The Roost

2) Louise’s West

3) Ladybird Diner

4) Merchants Pub and Plate

5) 6 Mile Chop House & Tavern

5) 715 Restaurant

PLACE TO GET A MARGARITA

1) El Potro Mexican Cafe

2) Cielito Lindo

3) Molcajete’s

4) Rusty Taco

5) La Tropicana

PLACE TO GET A MIXED DRINK/COCKTAIL

(RESTAURANT/BAR)

1) John Brown’s Underground

2) 715 Restaurant

3) The Bourgeois Pig

4) Henry’s Upstairs

5) Merchants Pub & Plate

PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

1) Tommy Perez

2) Michael Hamm

3) Emily Bachert

4) Matthew Mulnix

5) Sarah Niileksela

SOLO MUSICIAN

1) Perry Lockwood

2) Jordan Tucker

3) SILENT AVE, Tyler Vann

4) Kelley Hunt

5) Michael Hamm

STORE TO BUY BEER

1) Cork & Barrel Wine and Spirits

2) On The Rocks

3) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits

4) Micro Liquor

5) Roy’s Wine & Spirits

STORE TO BUY LIQUOR

1) Cork & Barrel Wine and Spirits

2) On the Rocks

3) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits

4) Micro Liquor

5) Roy’s Wine & Spirits

STORE TO BUY WINE

1) Cork

"MVP" Lawrence PRIDE

2nd - Performance, Musical 2nd - Nonprofit Event 4th - Nonprofit (Adult/Senior Services)

Most Unforgettable … John Brown’s Underground for their unique drink menu, friendly staff, and memorable place to catch up with friends.

Most Likely to Cheer You Up … Munchers because they are always open for a late-night snack anytime you want it or breakfast to kick off your weekend mornings.

Most Likely to Succeed … 23rd Street Brewery because it is well loved in the community, and their $6 Wednesday burger special can’t be beat.

From year to year in the Best of Lawrence voting, a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals regularly finishes near the top of the ballot. No matter what events, trends, or styles have swept across the city in any given year, this group represents some of the communities Most Valuable Players.

Since 2018, the Lawrence PRIDE celebration has gone from an idea and a small party to one of the city’s largest and most successful public gatherings.

Organizers behind the event attribute PRIDE’s success to the dedication of volunteers as they filed parade permission forms to close down Massachusetts Street, lined up sponsors, created floats, set up safety barricades and more.

“We play to our strengths, we used what everyone could bring to the table,” explains Shania Lopez-Cabrera, the organization’s finance director. “We made adjustments as needed, and delegated as needed.”

“We had a working board,” adds event committee

member Valerie Metzler, who performs in drag as Marie Queerie. “They were working 10, 20, 30 hours a week on the event before PRIDE happened.”

“The board and key volunteers threw themselves at the task and gave it everything they had,” Courtney Farr, the group’s community engagement director, notes. “That was a big reason it was the event it could be.”

Plans have already begun for the 2024 celebration that will once again showcase and celebrate the presence of the city’s LGBTQIA+ members.

“We are a community—and it shows,” says co-director of marketing, Allie Souza.

Lawrence PRIDE members include (back row) Courtney Farr, (middle row, left) Shania Lopez-Cabrera, (middle row, right) Valerie Metzler/Marie Queerie, and (front) Allie Souza.

It’s no surprise that Emily Bachert, owner of Harmonic Connections, has a career as a boardcertified music therapist. Bachert grew up in a musically inclined family. Her passion for music eventually led her to a bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance from the University of Kansas and later a master’s degree in music therapy.

“During college I went right into private teaching, it was something I could do in school. I knew I wanted to use music to help individuals, and I then pursued a master’s [degree] in music therapy. Once [it was] completed, I knew I wanted to use music to help individuals on a clinical level,” Bachert says.

As a Lawrence native, Bachert has served the community for 15 years as a private music instructor and six years as a music therapist.

“I have always lived here, so for me it’s something that I’m very proud of … to have grown up here and to now serve the community is really special for me,” she says. “Lawrence is the perfect size. Not too big, not too small. It’s quirky. And I have lived enough of my life here to see its staples grow … that’s really special. That’s a big piece of why I started my business. I really wanted to use music to help people in my community.”

Emily Bachert

3rd - Private Music Instructor

We sat down with top five finalists and winners to ask them about themselves and other community superstars.

LEMON BLUEBERRY WAFFLE PLATTER ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

BEST OF LAWRENCE 2023

MERITRUST CREDIT UNION IS PROUD TO SERVE MEMBERS IN THE LAWRENCE COMMUNITY. WHILE LAWRENCE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN KANSAS, IT EMBODIES THE SMALL TOWN VALUES OF FRIENDSHIP, HARD WORK AND LONGSTANDING TRADITION. WE ARE PROUD AND EAGER TO CONTINUE SERVING LAWRENCE AND HELPING IT REMAIN ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK.