SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
spring/summer
2022
A PASSION SENIOR DOGS NEW PARK TO FOR PLANTS …
AND HELPING OTHERS
TO LOVE
EXPLORE
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Welcome
shawnee magazine
SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
Editor Designer/Art Director Copy Editor Account Executive Contributing Photographers Contributing Writers
Jean Teller Alex Tatro Leslie Andres Angie Taylor Kevin Anderson Molly Kuplen Aaron Leimkuehler Sarah Reeves Jill Dutton Jackie Hostetler Beth Kornegay
Publisher Director
Bob Luder Pamela Mahajan Kari Williams Bill Uhler Bob Cucciniello
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
dear reader, As I look out my window, I can see the trees starting to bud out and the sedums in the garden beginning their journey to those beautiful green balls that herald spring. We know it’s spring, and we all heave a sigh of relief to be out of winter’s grip and revel in the newness of the season. It’s a time for new beginnings. A time for throwing off the weather woes that have kept us inside, just wishing for spring. It’s time to get outdoors! What better way to celebrate the season than to explore local parks and green spaces, including the newest addition to Shawnee’s landscape: Wilder Bluff Park. Learn more about this beautiful site on page 16. Of course, the gardeners among us have been planning for this day for a couple of months now, and the Family Tree Nursery has too. Discover their wonderful offerings and more, as well as news about Cafe Equinox, on page 23. Maybe it’s time to venture out a bit more than we have the last couple of years. Shawnee offers more than a few outlets for those of us craving new sights and sounds. Check out Nick and Jake’s of Shawnee (page 10) to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary or visit the Moonlight Market (page 12) back for a new season of fresh produce, food and music, and lots of fun. Why not take a weekend and stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites (page 8) as a mini-vacation? A quick change of scenery may be just what the doctor ordered. Of course, our four-legged friends are often another form of therapy as the folks at Imagine Furever Ranch know. Learn more about their organization on page 28. Whatever your inclination might be this spring, you’ll find the right opportunity in Shawnee! Here’s to spring!
President | CEO Operations Manager Director of Marketing & Events Director of Investor Services
Ann Smith-Tate Marlene Shirley Dustin Wolfe Brandon Wilcox
Visit Shawnee Executive Director
Kevin Fern
Shawnee Economic Development Council Director, Business Development and Retention Programs Manager
Eric Ely Amy Niemann
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SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
Jean
On the cover
editor, Shawnee Magazine
4
Family Tree Nursery is the perfect place for those who love plants. Photograph Kevin Anderson spring/summer
2022
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
A PASSION SENIOR DOGS NEW PARK TO FOR PLANTS …
AND HELPING OTHERS
TO LOVE
EXPLORE
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Welcome
contents
DEPARTMENTS
8
LOOKING AHEAD
Staff at Shawnee’s newest hotel is optimistic about 2022.
10 12 16
MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT
Nick and Jake’s finds another home in Shawnee while the owners also keep up the company’s philanthropic endeavors.
MOONLIGHT MARKET: PICTURE PERFECT FUN!
A new twist on the traditional farmers market is a hit in Shawnee.
FINDING NATURE IN SHAWNEE
The latest city park has quickly become popular with area residents.
FEATURES
23 28
6
A GARDEN OASIS
Family-owned and operated, Family Tree Nursery encourages a passion for plants.
FINDING A FOREVER HOME
Imagine Furever Ranch gives senior dogs another chance to find a family of their own.
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
19 33 36 SHAWNEE MAP
VISITORS GUIDE
SHAWNEE EVENTS
Looking to
I love this town.
Let a lifelong Shawnee resident and real estate expert help you find your next home!
Thanks, Shawnee.
John Wills, Agent 6339 Long ste A Shawnee, KS 66216 Bus: 913-631-9007 john@jwills.net
2007004
Spring into a new home?
I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do.
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Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated.
Local
article by Pamela Spradlin Mahajan photos by Molly Kuplen
business
Looking Ahead Staff at Shawnee’s newest hotel is optimistic about 2022.
W
hen Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot opened its first Shawnee location in September 2019, it looked as if the inn was on track for a successful first year. But just a few months later, COVID-19 struck, and business as we knew it came to a grinding halt. “Whatever we dreamed of, we never thought that could happen in the hotel industry. It was stressful,” says Sonny Singh, regional manager and director of operations for Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. “Eight out of 10 rooms were empty. It was a crazy time, but we survived with the help of PPP loans, and we tightened our belt for a couple of months … we made it work.” Singh’s company is far from the only business that needed help surviving during the pandemic. According to the Small Business Administration, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans amounted to $790 billion in 2020–2021. In addition to relying on loans, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott was forced to reduce its staff from 20–25 employees to 10–15 employees. They also temporarily closed the neighboring Comfort Inn and Suites, owned by the same management company, and directed customers to Fairfield Inn & Suites during the peak of the pandemic, when the staff was often only booking one or two rooms a day. As COVID rates decline and travel begins to increase, Singh is hopeful business will steadily improve. Still, getting back to how things were before the pandemic is going to take some time. “Business is picking up some, it’s not fully there,” Singh says. “Our research suggests the return to pre-COVID levels could take until 2024 or later.” Fairfield Inn & Suites is now up to 50–55% occupancy versus the 38% occupancy the company experienced earlier in the pandemic. Their projected pre-pandemic occupancy
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levels were 70–75%. Singh points out that while leisure travel seems to be increasing, corporate travel — a major source of income for all hotels — is still lagging. The Shawnee hotel relies on corporate travelers, who previously accounted for at least 60% of business, to fill the hotel during the week when leisure travelers typically aren’t around.
New to Shawnee Maa Amba Inc., the management company that owns Fairfield Inn & Suites, had been searching for land to purchase in Shawnee since 2016. The company purchased its current property in 2018 from a church that planned to relocate. Maa Amba’s initial plans for the property included a shopping strip as well as several hotels. Though the company still plans to develop a shopping center, those plans are currently on hold until business picks up. For families and business travelers looking for accommodations in the Shawnee area, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott has a lot to offer. In addition to a lobby for relaxing and mingling, a free breakfast with items such as mini waffles, fruit, and omelets is included in the room rate. With a contemporary look and feel, the hotel offers conveniences such as free Wi-Fi and a microwave and refrigerator in every room. An indoor swimming pool and a fitness center are also available. Seniors 62 years and older can receive a discounted rate. “Fairfield Inn & Suites in Kansas City/Shawnee is a truly stunning example of a contemporary look and feel,” Singh says. “We are delivering both function and comfort with our new design and decor that elevate the Marriott brand.” Competing with hotels such as Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites is located 13 miles from downtown and 30 miles from the Kansas City International Airport. It has 78 newly opened rooms, including 16 suites. Maa Amba chose the Shawnee location because it’s “in the middle of everything,” says Singh. The hotel is near the corner of Midland Drive and Renner Road, a short distance from I-435. Multiple restaurants as well as the B&B Theaters Shawnee 18 are in the immediate vicinity. Many conventions and other events, which have been almost nonexistent for the past two years, are returning in 2022. From races at the Kansas Speedway to Sporting KC games to concerts by musicians such as Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, opportunities for travel are increasing. Since more people visiting Kansas City means greater demand for hotel rooms, Singh and his staff are cautiously optimistic about the future. “It’s slowly opening up, so we are hopeful that this year will be a little better than last year,” Singh says.
A beautifully designed lobby includes spots for relaxing and mingling, as well as space to enjoy the free breakfast each morning.
By the numbers Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Shawnee Opening Year: 2019 Pre-Pandemic Occupancy Rate: 70–75% Pandemic Occupancy Rate: 38% Total Number of Rooms: 78 Number of Suites: 16 Rooms Empty During the Pandemic: 8 out of 10 Miles to Downtown Kansas City: 13 Miles to KCI Airport: 30 Search the website for Shawnee: Fairfield.Marriott.com
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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Local
article by Beth Kornegay photos by Aaron Leimkuehler
business
More Than Just a Restaurant Nick and Jake’s finds another home in Shawnee while the owners also keep up the company’s philanthropic endeavors.
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ith a motto of “real food and honest drink,” Nick and Jake’s restaurant in western Shawnee is celebrating its third anniversary at that location. Other Nick and Jake’s locations include Overland Park and Parkville. Owned by Kevin Timmons and Doug Watkins, the restaurants are named after their sons. Even the menu reflects those different personalities. The “Nick” side of the menu contains upscale entrees including steak, pasta, and seafood. The “Jake” side offers traditional bar fare such as burgers and wings. Additionally, the chef develops and offers different specials each week and weekend to add to the variety of options.
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Both Timmons and Watkins worked in restaurants throughout college and eventually worked their way up to the role of general manager. They learned about the Shawnee area through their children’s sporting activities including 3&2 Baseball Club tournaments (Kansas City’s youth baseball league) as well as games against Mill Valley and De Soto high schools. Often wanting to grab a bite to eat after the games, they quickly realized the area needed more dining locations. As the partners looked to expand to new restaurant locations in 2018 and 2019, they saw potential in the vacant Ruby Tuesday’s building located at 22220 Midland Drive in western Shawnee.
“It called our name. We took the interior down to the studs, updated the design and kitchen, added the patio, and replaced the roof, air conditioning units, equipment, and more,” Timmons says. “We also added defined areas to allow guests to cheer on a game or enjoy a quiet dinner.” Matt Coble, general manager of Nick and Jake’s Shawnee, says that while the pandemic took a toll on many restaurants, Nick and Jake’s was able to adapt its business model to satisfy the needs of customers who wanted to enjoy a meal while also adhering to safety precautions. Acrylic dividers between booths were added, and the seating arrangement was reconfigured to create more space between guests. “Our takeout business exploded, which has helped keep the restaurant afloat. To meet these newfound needs, we’ve added curbside pickup parking spots, partnered with the delivery service DoorDash, as well as building our online ordering systems to make it much easier for the guests and staff to execute,” Coble says. To ensure guests are comfortable and having fun, and that they return often, Coble lives the company’s core value of treating guests as part of the restaurant’s family. Whether guests want to sit at the bar to watch a game with wings and a beer, enjoy a steak and a glass of wine with the family, or have date night on the patio with cocktails, Nick and Jake’s has the right spot and menu item for every customer. The Shawnee location has a large patio that can seat up to 50 guests. Menu options include gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian fare.
More than a Restaurant In addition to a great menu and a cozy atmosphere, Nick and Jake’s has an extensive community outreach program. The restaurant’s owners formed Fore the Kids Foundation to host an annual golf tournament to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital. The nonprofit has supported a number of departments and causes at Children’s Mercy Hospital, including therapy dogs and a transport ambulance for newborns, children, and teens. Through its Nick’s Voice Fund, the foundation is helping raise money for the Behavioral Health Sciences department at Children’s Mercy Hospital, which aids youngsters and teens struggling with mental health issues within the Kansas City community. The department is dedicated to educating citizens about the signs, treatments, and therapy related to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders that affect the mental health of children. The fund is named for one of the restaurant’s namesakes, Nick Timmons, who died by suicide in 2017. That year, Fore the Kids developed the Nick’s Voice Fund and has raised more than $4 million since its partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital began in 2009.
Whether dining in or ordering to go, customers at Nick and Jake’s Shawnee can find delicious food like Grandma’s Chicken with Smoked Gouda Sauce and Jalepeno Cheddar Grits (above) or Firecracker Chicken Salad with Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Jack & Cheddar Cheese, and Blue Cheese Dressing (top left).
For More
Nick and Jake’s 22220 Midland Drive Shawnee, KS 66226 913-914-8535 NickandJakes.com
Open at 11 a.m. Monday–Sunday Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday; 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and at 9 p.m. Sunday Bar closes at midnight Monday–Thursday; 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and at 10 p.m. Sunday
The hospital, overwhelmed by the organization’s generous support, has honored Nick by creating the Nick Timmons Endowed Professorship in Developmental and Behavioral Sciences. “This position was recently filled by Dr. Sarah Soden. She and her team are consumed with research, medication dosing, telemedicine, and school-based programming through social workers and psychiatrists. The ultimate goal is to increase clinical visits for anxiety and depression. Last year, we raised $1.25 million, and we plan to continue the fight,” Timmons says. Dr. Soden, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Medicine, specializes in developmental and behavioral medicine with a focus on attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, developmental disabilities, neonatal aftercare, genomics, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. Anyone interested in learning more about the foundation can find more information at ForeTheKidsKC.org.
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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Local
article by Jackie Hostetler photos courtesy Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
seasonal
Moonlight Market: Picture Perfect Fun! A new twist on the traditional farmers market is a hit in Shawnee.
P
icture this: The sun is rising on a Saturday morning in Shawnee. Area artisans, farmers, and makers arrive to the local farmers market at dawn to display their wares. Vendors and patrons alike gather to shop, eat, and socialize. It’s the quintessential picture of life in a sweet Midwestern town. Now, replace the sunrise with the moon rise. Replace “Saturday morning” with “Thursday evening.” Replace the “dawn” with the “dusk.” Everything else is the same—including the sweet Midwestern town. In May 2021, the town of Shawnee tried a new approach to its farmers
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market. The venture has been a smashing success. According to Shawnee Communications Manager, Julie Breithaupt, the city’s Saturdaymorning farmers market was successful enough though it may have left a bit to be desired. “We were facing some challenges with our farmers market,” says Breithaupt. “There are a number of other farmers markets in the area on Saturday mornings, including Overland Park and Lenexa. These are longer-standing, bigger, more well-attended farmers markets. Instead of trying to compete with these on Saturday mornings, we took a different look at it.”
A New Look What resulted was the Moonlight Market. On the third Thursday of every month, May through October, the city sponsors a new kind of farmers market. The Moonlight Market not only showcase traditional farmers market vendors, offering fresh fruit and vegetables but also highlights nontraditional wares, as well as a number of downtown businesses. “We were looking for a play on the traditional farmers market that might get more people into the downtown area,” says Breithaupt. “We have so many new businesses and so much growth. It’s really become more of a destination. We
wanted to have an event that celebrates this and brings more people in.” Baked goods, clothing, soaps, home décor, dog treats, and yard art are just a few of the items you might find next to the bushels of apples and crates of strawberries. During the 2021 season, Breithaupt reports there were about 60 vendors who took part in the markets. As they gear up for the 2022 season, Breithaupt says more than 70 vendors have shown interest. For a nominal fee, vendors can participate in as many, or as few, of the markets as they wish though they do receive a discount for booking multiple weeks at the market.
Satisfied Vendors Heather McCoy, owner of SoHo Creations and Soap, was one of the many vendors who participated in 2021 Moonlight Markets. SoHo Creations specializes in soaps, wax melts, dish towels, and T-shirts, among other things. “It’s nice to see people you know at each market. It’s a really great atmosphere, almost carnival-like,” McCoy says. As far as the innovative approach to scheduling the market goes, McCoy is definitely a fan. “I love that it’s in the late afternoon to early evening, which makes it a family event. It adds to the sense that this is a community event and not just a craft fair,” she says. Katherine Melchiorre, owner of Kat’s Confections, agrees with McCoy. Melchiorre’s pastry business was also featured in the 2021 market. “The Moonlight Market is such fun event to be a part of,” says Melchiorre. “It’s different from other events because it’s held in the evening. Everyone seems so happy and excited to be out enjoying the weather, activities, and local shopping.”
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Local
seasonal
What carnival-like event would be complete with flavored popcorn? Particularly when it comes from the newly renovated Aztec Theater!
Not Just for Shoppers In addition to shopping, several other activities are available at the market. “We shut down some of the streets and really make it like a big street party,” Breithaupt says. Food trucks and beer gardens feature food and drinks from local establishments such as Transport Brewery and Servaes Brewing Co. There are also kid-friendly activities; some markets have featured inflatable water slides while others have offered carnival rides and face painters. And it wouldn’t be a party without live music, also featured at every Moonlight Market. “It’s really a fun, eclectic mix. You can do some shopping, you can grab a beer, your kids can have fun, you can grab a bite to eat. You can just plan your whole evening downtown,” Breithaupt says. For the early-risers, the traditional farmers market continues every Saturday morning. “We kept out traditional farmers market open on Saturday mornings, but the Moonlight Market was a huge hit last year,” Breithaupt says, “and we’re really looking forward to this year, as well.” Picture fun. Picture family Picture community. Picture the Shawnee Moonlight Market.
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Moonlight Market When?
Third Thursday of every month May through October 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where?
Downtown Shawnee Parking available west of City Hall and at Splash Cove
What?
Shopping Food and drinks Live music Fun
Who?
Kids and adults of all ages Everyone welcome.
For More:
CityOfShawnee.org/residents/moonlight_market
Join Our Team • Great Benefits • Serve your Community • Work with us for the summer or for your entire career The City of Shawnee is an Equal Opportunity Employer
cityofshawnee.org/jobs
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Local
article by Bob Luder photos courtesy City of Shawnee
greenspace
Finding Nature in Shawnee The latest city park has quickly become popular with area residents.
the garden sampler tour
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A water fall is just one of the features found in the Harwood Garden.
T
hose driving on 55th Street in the far reaches of west Shawnee on any hot and sunny day last summer would not have been able to miss all the cars. They filled the parking lot, lined both sides bumper to bumper along the 200 yards or so of the serpentine drive, and spilled out along the shoulders of the street. If one didn’t know better, they’d have figured a county fair or farmers market was occurring daily. Welcome to a typical summer day at Wilder Bluff Park, Shawnee’s 29th and newest fully developed park. And, by all accounts, one of its most popular. The 41-acre space at 55th and Belmont Park opened July 2021 to great fanfare and, by all indications, was an instant hit for those residents in neighborhoods in the northwest corner of the city, west of K-7. Of particular popularity was the splash pad, a shallow wading pool perfectly designed for children to cool their feet and splash with playmates, parents, or guardians. While the park always seemed full of children and their caretakers, it was the splash pad where they all seemed to congregate, especially under the blazing summer sun. “I went out there several times and walked around just to watch people play,” says Neil Holman, who, as the director of the Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department, helped create the park. “The splash pad was a huge hit. But there are a lot of other features everyone seemed to enjoy. The park just turned out really nice.” The concept of Wilder Bluff Park came about several years ago because of a need for a good-quality green space in northwestern Shawnee. Garrett Park was constructed in 2005 on 47th Street, between Monticello Road and K-7. In 2015, Erfurt Park opened on West 71st Street, just west of Gleason Road. But there wasn’t a park for neighborhoods in the city’s northwest corner. The city purchased the 41 acres back in 2004, and the total cost of the park was $4 million. “We’re thankful for Parks and Pipes (a sales tax initiative for the creation and improvement of Shawnee parks),” Holman says. “We’ve always bought land for parks with cash, and we had the money in the fund.” A series of meetings with surrounding neighborhoods as well as the Monticello Historical Society generated 7 prospective names for the new park. “Wilder Bluff ” won out because of the land’s position atop a bluff overlooking the old town of Wilder, which was founded in 1875 and served as an old Santa Fe railroad stop before being decimated by floods in 1903 and 1951. The park sits partially on land once owned by the Thomas Anderson family. The family’s original Shawnee home, built in 1866 on what is now West 55th Street, still stands near Wilder Bluff Park and is owned by Anderson’s descendants.
For More Wilder Bluff Park
24200 W. 55th St. Shawnee, KS 66226 CityOfShawnee.org/Departments/ Parks_Recreation/Parks_and_ Trails/Wilder_Bluff
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Local
greenspace
The park contains another unique feature in addition to the splash pad — a tree-top canopy playground that gives children the illusion of climbing through trees. A hillside slide is a fun spot, and the natural-themed playground contains a variety of climbing structures, swings, and other equipment. The park has a 1.38-mile walking/jogging trail that winds back to the north, through tree-covered nooks and prairie grasses. On the far north side of the path, there’s a 60-foot circular pad that could serve as a place to practice yoga or tai chi. The park also includes a covered shelter with restrooms, eight picnic tables, and a fireplace. “I always have some ideas for how to make each park different,” Holman says. “It’s always good to give kids different options. Prompting kids to use their imaginations and different muscles is always a good combination.” Wilder Bluff Park has even attracted interest from those in communities surrounding Shawnee. George and Cathy Hess bring their four grandchildren to the park whenever the youngsters come to visit from their Lenexa home. “They love the splash pad,” Cathy Hess says. “It’s nice to have such a great kids’ playground like this in this area. I think they did a really good job of making equipment that’s age appropriate and something for everyone. I think Johnson County and Shawnee are doing a really nice job with their parks. We think we have the best around here.” On an unseasonably warm day in early March, Ashley Kozar brought her 12-year-old son, Atticus, to Wilder Bluff from Bonner Springs to walk the trail and play in the tree-top canopy. “He likes the natural elements incorporated into the playground equipment,” Kozar says. “It makes you feel connected to nature. I really like the walking loop.” Whether walking or playing, everyone finds something to do at Wilder Bluff Park.
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Park Rules • • • • • •
Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Splash pad hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorized vehicles prohibited in parks. Alcoholic and cereal malt beverages prohibited in park. Dogs must be on leash and under owner’s control. Skating prohibited on tables, benches, playground equipment and in shelter areas. • Please utilize recycling and trash receptacles.
Out & About in Shawnee
Pull out this map to explore Shawnee!
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PARKS AND MORE
SHAWNEE
5 6 4
K A N S A S
Find a recreational outlet perfect for you and your family. Visit Stump Park with a walking trail, playground, shelters, and athletic fields. Or find your way to Mill Creek Streamway Park with its 14 miles of walking and biking trails, including the Gary L. Haller Trailer, designated a National Recreation Trail and stretching from Nelson Island on the Kansas River, crossing through Shawnee before it ends in Olathe. And don’t forget the equestrian trails at Mill Creek and Shawnee Mission Park.
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outside
Shawnee Golf and Country Club Stump Park Mid-America West Mid-America Sports Complex Kansas City Ice Center Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball Mill Creek Streamway Park Knights of Columbus Park Shawnee Mission Park The Theatre in the Park Tomahawk Hills Golf Course Holiday Inn Express & Suites Courtyard by Marriott Hampton Inn Comfort Inn & Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites B&B Theatres/Music Theatre Kansas City The University of Kansas Health System Park Lanes Swarner Park Veterans Park Johnson County Library Thomas A. Soetart Aquatic Center Civic Centre Incredible Pizza Company Caenen Castle Shawnee Town 1929 Herman Laird Park Splash Cove City Hall Downtown Shawnee Overland Park Regional Medical Center - ER of Shawnee Pioneer Crossing Park Centra Care Urgent Care Shawnee SkyZone Jaycee Park Listowel Park AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Wilder Bluff Park Explore the Visitors Guide (pg. 33) for dining and retail listings.
misc.
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What & Where
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PLAY TIME! Visit Park Lanes for bowling and more; discover wonderful flavors and more fun at Incredible Pizza Company; or escape to SkyZone, where you’ll defy the law of gravity by soaring through the air only to make a soft landing amid a pool of foam squares, or reach for new heights on the trampoline court.
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GO GREEN
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Explore a locally owned tree nursery and garden center in the heart of Shawnee! Stop into Family Tree Nursery and explore beautiful shrubs, flowers, trees, succulents, and more than you can imagine. Best of all, local roaster Thou Mayest has set up a shop, Café Equinox, in the nursery so you can get your caffeine fix while browsing.
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VISIT DOWNTOWN Make your way to the corner of Nieman Road and Johnson Drive to experience the heart of Shawnee. On your way, take a moment at any of the pocket parks along Nieman Road. Afterwards stop at any of our local breweries for a fresh brew or at Drastic Measures for a craft cocktail. And you can find a number of different places to grab a quick bite or treat, including McLain’s Market, Aunt Jeans Cup & Cone, Pegah’s Diner, Old Shawnee Pizza, and more.
Comfort Inn & Suites 67 Rooms choicehotels.com 913-962-5555
Courtyard by Marriott 90 Rooms marriott.com 913-631-8800
Fairfield Inn & Suites 78 rooms marriott.com 913-248-4444
Hampton Inn 127 Rooms hamptoninn.com 913-248-1900
Holiday Inn Express 114 Rooms hiexpress.com 913-400-2509
article by Jill Dutton photos by Kevin Anderson
Family-owned and operated, Family Tree Nursery encourages a passion for plants.
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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6844 Silverheel Street, Shawnee, KS 66226 913-441-7868
www.wakashaw.com
I
n the early days of the pandemic, there were upticks in trends that included loaves of crusty sourdough bread fresh from the oven, in-person meetings that switched to video conferences, and the urge to garden and cultivate. The desire to put plants into the earth coincided with the usual spring pastime, leading nurseries such as Family Tree Landscape and Nursery to see regular customers as well as new patrons seeking to learn home gardening. Ron Nelson opened the Family Tree Nursery in Overland Park more than 50 years ago, and, through the years, the family business has grown, adding a production facility, a store in Liberty, and eventually the location in Shawnee in 1981. Ron’s son Eric is the current owner, and his grandsons, Jonah and Jesse, plan to eventually take over the family legacy. Customer service and quality are paramount at Family Tree, and Jesse Nelson says even before the pandemic, the staff knew the importance of keeping the stores immaculately clean. Of the increased interest in gardening, he says, “Many people were stuck in their homes, and they weren’t traveling that summer. So a lot of people spent more time working to beautify their patios, yards, and homes. Many wanted houseplants to enhance the background during Zoom calls. Spring is already our busiest season of the year, but we definitely saw an increase in fresh interest in gardening.”
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
A Passion for Plants With two production facilities in Kansas City, Kansas, Family Tree grows all of its annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, tubs, and arrangements, providing a unique product selection for customers. “You can’t buy Family Tree products anywhere else in town other than our stores,” Jesse Nelson says. “We’re committed to high-quality plants and passionate about our plants, so we spend a lot of time and energy around the genetics that we grow and to making sure they’re the best available on the market. That way, when the customer puts them into the ground, they’re going to be successful. That’s really our end goal; we want the customer to be successful.” Although the family is in the horticulture industry, he emphasizes that they’re truly in the hospitality business. Every customer is seen as
a guest, and staff members work to determine how they can best make the customer’s experience exceptional.
A Sensory Experience Wandering around the Family Tree store delights the senses as guests linger over a fragrant herb or take in the brilliant colors of annuals such as pansies. It felt like a natural progression to dedicate a space in the greenhouse where guests can linger even longer—a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and sit for a while in the sunshine, amid flowers and the occasional bird or butterfly. Even before the pandemic, Nelson says the greenhouse seating space was well received. “There were a lot of people who said, ‘I work from home. Why would I work from home when I can sit out here and work in a
Above, Bo Nelson (left) runs the coffee side with Cafe Equinox while his brothers Jesse (center) and Johan are the third generation to run Family Tree Nursery. Top: The nursery has a wide selection to choose from for garden, yard, and patio settings. Top left: Plants hang inside the nursery just waiting for someone to take them home.
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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greenhouse? This is a way better environment.’ I’ve had college professors out there teaching virtually in the greenhouse. One of the biggest comments I hear in the wintertime when everybody’s cooped up and they’re not getting enough vitamin D is, ‘Wow, my seasonal depression is cured.’ They sit out there for a day and they’re just revived. And that’s been one of the biggest blessings for us is how well this space is being received and how much it means to people.”
Café Equinox The greenhouse seating offered the perfect opportunity to open a café for guests to enjoy a hot tea or coffee while working or relaxing in the greenhouse seating area. Keeping the family business theme, Jesse says it was natural to work with their brother Bo Nelson, who founded Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters, a local batch roaster that started in the Crossroads. With an established brand, Bo Nelson was leaving his space in the Crossroads in 2018. The nursery, which was remodeled in 2012 to include space for a café, had yet to find the ideal partner. The timing was perfect for developing Café Equinox. Jesse Nelson says his father suggested the name. “Cafe Equinox is my dad’s idea for the name because it’s really between the autumnal equinox in mid-September and the vernal equinox in mid-March, when we have the space to allocate for seating in the greenhouse, as
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well as that’s when everything is dead and dormant outside, and you can come into the greenhouse and it’s an oasis.” Originally, the plans were for café seating in the greenhouse during the nursery’s off-season only. What they found instead is that people come year-round, even in the middle of summer, to sit in the greenhouse, meet with friends, do business, or study. This prompted the need for expansion. “It went over so well that we were at the point where we needed to make the proper investment into the café space so Café Equinox could fully express [itself and its] brand.” The renovated Café Equinox serves Thou Mayest coffee drinks alongside local pastries from the Heirloom Bakery and Hearth, as well as from Mud Pie Vegan Bakery & Coffee, all for guests to enjoy in the tropical setting. Guests who visit once renovations are complete will find a café that occupies three times the space it did previously. There’s an L-shaped bar to sit at, or guests can take their coffee to the greenhouse. The plans are to open the newly renovated café by the end of April. Space in the greenhouse is limited during peak growing season, but there is a space allocated for year-round seating. Jesse Nelson says they give the greenhouse seating as much space as possible, then as summer progresses and more space opens up, the seating area increases in the fall and will scale down again in the spring.
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
From top: Jeanne Elmer of Prairie Village examines a planter while shopping; Kathy Denning, Lenexa, browses with her two sons, Charlie, 5, and Tommy, 2; a drawing shows some of the details of the newly renovated Cafe Equinox.
SHAWNEE’S OLDEST RESTAURANT, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1969
For More Café Equinox (reopens late April) www.CafeEquinox.com
Family Tree Nursery www.FamilyTreeNursery.com 7036 Nieman Road Shawnee, KS 66203 913-631-6121
visit us online at shawneepizza.com for updated hours and carry-out options
Hours vary by season with the café closing an hour or two before the nursery closes. Hours for the nursery: (from April through May or June) Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
shawnee
6000 Roger Dr. Shawnee, KS 66203 913-631-5716
July through March, the retail store closes an hour earlier.
An Education in Gardening Educating the public is part of the Family Tree mission so that guests can learn ways to enjoy the nursery’s products. Staff members provide helpful tips and advice for the best products to ensure the life of the plants. In the spring, a container gardening hands-on workshop fills quickly, and guests leave with a beautiful potted plant. Online, Family Tree has an educational video series on topics from growing succulents to planting a garden. House materials for the novice gardener such as a nursery catalog, a grass guide, perennial catalog, guides for fruit, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers, and other materials can also be found online. Plans include a release of a tropical catalog to be picked up in the store around the first of May. In addition to the expansion of Café Equinox and the year-round seating, the parking lot has gained about 50 additional parking spots, making a better flow for traffic, especially during the spring rush of enthusiastic gardeners. sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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lenexa
19617 W. 101st Lenexa, KS 66220 913-254-1234
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story by Kari Williams photos by Sarah Reeves
Finding a Forever Home Imagine Furever Ranch gives senior dogs another chance to find a family of their own.
L
eah, a beautiful white husky with no eyes waited patiently for her forever home at a ranch on West 47th Street in Shawnee, and one day a family came to visit her. The following week, she was adopted. “The pictures I took that day of taking Leah and getting her in the car—it was just like this bond and this connection they made immediately,” says Shelee Brim, a board member at Imagine Furever Ranch. “And I always said that Leah didn’t have eyes to see with, but she was able to see through her heart. And it was just amazing to see them come together.” Leah is among more than 80 dogs who have been adopted out of the senior dog rescue since it opened August 27, 2021. Brim, also an intake coordinator for the ranch, has been with the organization from “the ground floor.” “My entire life I have had dogs, and most of them have been mutts,” she says. “With seniors, it’s just extra special because a lot of people think they want that puppy, but the seniors are just so unique and special.”
A ‘special connection’ The focus on senior dogs, according to Brim, is as important for the dogs as it is for the volunteers. “People [who] actually come and volunteer get as much out of it if not more than the dogs truly do,” Brim says. A lot of dogs surrendered to the ranch come from circumstances where their owners have died or are transitioning to an assisted living facility and can’t take them along.
“It’s a hard decision to make …,” Brim says. “ They see the place and see the community there [at the ranch] and they’re going, ‘ This is the right place.’” In some cases, dogs in those situations come to the sanctuary as bonded pairs, like Tumbles and Missy. Pairs, Brim says, are difficult to adopt out because people typically are looking for one dog. “They were puggles and just the most adorable little pair you could imagine, and they were actually adopted together,” she says. Foster Bruce Nalley says the ranch provides a great service. “So many people out there have family members who passed away [and they] can no longer keep the dog and have to give them up … There were several dogs that we’ve had that were going to be euthanized,” he says. “ They are now in good homes, and [it’s a] much happier situation for everybody ….”
Foster, adopt, or volunteer? Everyone from families to retirees—even a few Scouts working on their Eagle service projects — spend time at the ranch. “There are retired people [who] come and are spending their senior years with senior dogs,” Brim says. A dog’s love, she says, is unconditional. “No matter what’s going on, they love you. And you can just tell,” Brim says. “They have that special connection and seems like they truly appreciate— you know how they appreciate that love and the new families that come in and adopt.”
Above: Shelee and Debbie pose with Buddy. Page 28: Lizzie enjoys the attention of Nancy, a mentor volunteer who helps new volunteers to learn the ins and outs of the ranch.
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A faith-based sanctuary Imagine Furever Ranch is a faith-based sanctuary for senior dogs. The religious foundation is something the founders wanted from the beginning, according to intake coordinator Shelee Brim. “God has a place for everyone, and our senior dogs have come there for a reason,” Brim says.
Above: Shelee spends time with Lizzie.
More than 400 people have completed Imagine Furever’s volunteer orientation. The ranch currently has about six fosters, including Bella, who came from Clinton Animal Control and had a leg amputated before going to her foster home with Bruce and Donna Nalley. “It had been pretty obvious to my wife and me that Belle had not had a pretty good life,” Nalley says. It had only been two and a half weeks since the amputation when she arrived at the Nalleys’ home. “Just to see the recovery, now she’s a very happy dog and out running on three legs—it’s just been real rewarding,” Nalley says. He says he and his wife decided to foster after losing two of their own dogs. “Obviously you can tell from the dogs they were well taken care of,” he says. “And the other factor was [that] the Christian organization was important to Donna.” Their first foster was a boxer mix named Louie. “He had a lot of energy for an older dog. He kept the squirrels out of the bird feeder,” Nalley says with a laugh. “He was a lot of fun. He was just a good dog.” Louie was only with Nalleys about three weeks. Since then, they have fostered five dogs, including Belle. “Foster dogs are kind of like, to quote Forest Gump, sort of like a box of chocolates,” Nalley says. “Each one of them brings their own personality and challenges, as well as stories that would break other people’s hearts. It just has been real rewarding to us to have these dogs and see them wag their tail. Some have not been in the best of situations, so it’s nice to see dogs are happy and enjoying life.”
Foster fails bring happy tails Margaret Jaworski adopted from the ranch, learning about it through Brim’s social media accounts. When she first saw it in person, she said she thought it was “absolutely gorgeous.” “It’s comfortable and cute, and I love it because I think it’s more inviting for volunteers because it’s just like sitting in a living room,” Jaworski says. “There’s couches; it’s comfortable and positive.” While she initially signed on to foster, she was at the sanctuary the day Romeo arrived. “Initially he was a foster, but I knew immediately he’d probably be adopted,” she says of the senior dog with poor eyesight.
How to foster or adopt Those interested in becoming a foster must go through a volunteer orientation process, which can be found on the Imagine Furever website, and will then be matched with the appropriate dog(s). Potential adopters should make an appointment for a meet and greet as soon as they see a dog they’re interested in, according to intake coordinator Shelee Brim. And volunteer Margaret Jaworski suggests filling out an adoption form even before finding the right dog so families are fully vetted by the time they see a dog they want to bring home.
She doesn’t know anything about his past other than he came to Shawnee as a stray from Oklahoma. “He’s a senior, and he doesn’t see very well, but I’m telling you he’s the sweetest,” she says. “Even if he only lives six months, it’ll be so worth it. … He’s just an adorable little curmudgeon. He looks like a little gremlin.” As the ranch continues through its inaugural year, Brim says the goal is simply to be part of the community. “We’re not all about numbers of dogs that we turn over and everything,” Brim says. “We’re just about making a difference in the dogs’ lives and [the lives of ] the people in our community.” And for rescues like Leah and Romeo, that’s exactly what happens. “[The founders, Kathryn Lask and Todd Mitchell] had this mission and found the property and [were] able to make this dream come true,” Brim says. “And all the volunteers, we’re just tag-alongs on the dream.” For more information, visit ImagineFureverRanch.org. sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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Downtown Shawnee
Food Pantry • Thrift Store • Re-Use/Recycle
Local Vendors Crafts Fresh Produce Live Music!
Seeking participants for our Golf Fundraiser JUNE 14TH
Celebrating 40 years of service! (913) 268-7746 | www.scsks.org
Third Thursday May - October 4pm-8pm
Downtown Shawnee City Hall Parking Lot
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CEMETERY
CEMETERY (913) 262-6610 (913) 262-6610 (913) 262-7859 Fax Fax (913) 262-7859 2301 South 2301 South 34th St. 34th St. Kansas City, KS 66106 Kansas City, KS 66106
www.maplehillfuneralhome.com
www.maplehillfuneralhome.com
Visitors Guide Shawnee
19 34 SHAWNEE MAP
VISITORS GUIDE
V I S I T O R S
THINGS TO DO Downtown Shawnee AZTEC THEATER
11119 Johnson Drive (913) 207-4148 Recently renovated, the theater offers a single screen and a seating capacity of 250. It originally opened in 1927 as the MIssion Theater. Facebook: AztecShawnee
CHIEF CHARLES BLUEJACKET STATUE
Johnson Drive and Cody Street, Herman Laird Park The statue welcomes visitors to Shawnee Town 1929 and depicts Charles Bluejacket, a Shawnee Indian chief and Methodist minister from the 19th century.
DOLL CRADLE
10910 Johnson Drive (913) 631-1900 dollcradle.com
MOONLIGHT MARKET
(Third Thursdays May–September) 11110 Johnson Drive, City Hall (913) 248-2360 cityofshawnee.org
SHANANIGANNS BOUTIQUE 11006 Johnson Drive (913) 549-8793 Facebook: shananiganns
SHAWNEE TOWN 1929
11501 W. 57th St. (913) 248-2360 shawneetown.org Shawnee Town 1929 is an outdoor museum depicting a farm town community in the 1920s.
SPLASH COVE
5800 King Avenue (913) 631-7177 Bring the kiddos to this aquatic center that features a mini wave pool, full body slide, party cabanas, and more!
WELLS FARGO HOUSE
5707 Nieman Road Chris Fangro built the Wells Fargo House in 1824. It was heavily damaged during Quantrill’s Raid in 1862. After restoration it was a Wells Fargo Express Office on government trails.
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Around Shawnee AMERICA’S INCREDIBLE PIZZA COMPANY 13110 W. 62nd Terrace incrediblepizza.com
B&B THEATRES / MUSIC THEATRE KANSAS CITY
16301 Midland Drive (913) 954-4671 / movie line (913) 341-8156 / Music Theatre KC bbtheatres.com/shawnee-18 mtkc.org
BY B! BOUTIQUE 6314 Monrovia (913) 213-5255 byBboutique.com
EMBELLISH BOUTIQUE
G U I D E SOETAERT AQUATIC CENTER
13805 Johnson Drive (913) 631-0054 Featuring an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool, lazy river, two slides, and four diving boards, this full aquatic center is the perfect day-long getaway out of the heat.
VINTAGE IN KC CREATIVE ARTS 12045 Johnson Drive (913) 915-8200 vintageinkc.com
EAT & DRINK Downtown Shawnee AL CHILE
(913) 745-5380 showembellishboutique.com
11200 Johnson Drive (913) 258-5990 alchilekc.com
FAMILY TREE NURSERY
AUNT JEAN’S CUP & CONE
7036 Nieman Road (913) 631-6121 familytreenursery.com
HANDS OF FREEDOM MONUMENT / VETERANS TRIBUTE PARK
13500 Johnson Drive Designed by Maurice D. McMullen, the 20-foot statue is a tribute to all military veterans of the United States.
NIGRO’S WESTERN STORE
10509 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 631-2226 Facebook: nigroskc
PINK CHARMING BOUTIQUE 22736 Midland Drive (816) 844-8154 pinkcharmingkc.com
PIONEER CROSSING STATUE Shawnee Mission Parkway at Melrose Lane Statue by artist Charles Goslin celebrates the pioneers who traveled through and settled Shawnee in the 1800s.
SKY ZONE
6495 Quivira Road (913) 213-5900 skyzone.com/kansascity
11210 Johnson Drive (816) 668-3731 aunt-jeans.business.site
BETTY C’S
11121 Johnson Drive (913) 701-6342
DRASTIC MEASURES 5817 Nieman Road drasticbar.com
MCLAIN’S MARKET 5833 Nieman Road mcclainskc.com
OLD SHAWNEE PIZZA 6000 Rogers Drive (913) 631-5716 shawneepizza.com
SERVAES BREWING CO. 10921 Johnson Drive servaesbrewco.com
SUSHI MIDO
6010 Nieman Road (913) 322-8888 sushimidoks.com
TRANSPORT BREWERY 11113 Johnson Drive (913) 766-6673 transportbrewery.com
BARLEY’S KITCHEN & TAP SHAWNEE
16649 Midland Drive (913) 268-5160 barleysbrewhaus.com
BATES CITY BBQ
6493 Quivira Road (913) 962-7447 batescitybarbque.com
THE BIG BISCUIT
12276 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 912-7350 bigbiscuitrestaurant.com
BLIND BOX BBQ
13214 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 268-4227 blindboxbbq.com
CHEN’S KITCHEN
7166 Renner Road (913) 268-1668 chenskitchenshawnee.com
CAFÉ EQUINOX
7036 Nieman Road (913) 631-6121 familytreenursery.com/ cafe-equinox
DOS REALES
6453 Quivira Road (913) 962-5014 dosrealeskc.com
EGGTC.
7182 Renner Road (913) 631-4400 eggtckc.com
FRITZ’S RAILROAD RESTAURANT 13803 W. 63rd St. (913) 375-1000 fritzskc.com
GRAND WOK
15810 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-8668 grandwokks.com
HARLEY’S HIDEAWAY 12200 Johnson Drive (913) 232-8652 harleyskc.com
HAWAIIAN BROS
Around Shawnee
11600 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 342-2861 hawaiianbros.com
BAR WEST
HAYWARD’S PIT BAR B QUE
7174 Renner Road (913) 248-9378 Facebook: barwestkc
10901 W. 75th St. Shawnee, KS 66214 haywardspitbarbque.menufy.com
V I S I T O R S HEREFORD HOUSE SHAWNEE 17244 Midland Drive (913) 268-8000 herefordhouse.com
JAKE’S PLACE
12001 Johnson Drive (913) 962-5253 jakesplacebar.com
JOHNNY’S TAVERN
13131 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 962-5777 johnnystavern.com
JOSE PEPPER’S BORDER GRILL & CANTINA 16605 Midland Drive (913) 631-1011 josepeppers.com
KNUB’S PUB
5386 Roberts St. (913) 441-5682 Facebook: knubspub
MCALISTER’S DELI
11330 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-3354 mcalistersdeli.com
MINSKY’S PIZZA
7198 Renner Road (913) 631-0059 minskys.com
MR. D’S DONUT SHOP
11222 W. 75th S. 913-631-1282 Facebook: Mr D’s Donut Shop
PINE & BAMBOO GARDEN
10915 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-9545 pinebamboogarden.com
SAKURA SUSHI TRAIN 7474 Nieman Road (913) 962-6361 sakurasushitrain.com
SANCHO STREETSIDE 6505 Nieman Road (913) 251-6814 sanchostreetside.com
SEAFOOD ISLAND
10810 W. 75th St. (913) 270-9999 seafoodislandks.com
SOMBRERO’S MEXICAN CANTINA 22702 Midland Drive (913) 441-6700 sombreroskc.com
SUTERA’S PIZZA
22716 Midland Drive (913) 667-3000 suterasshawnee.com
TANNER’S BAR & GRILL 22374 W. 66th St. (913) 745-8100 tannersbarandgrill.com
THE OTHER PLACE SHAWNEE 22730 Midland Drive (913) 441-0094 theotherplace.com
G U I D E
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES 16550 Midland Drive (888) 236-2427 marriott.com
HAMPTON INN
16555 Midland Drive (913) 248-1900 hamptoninn.com
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 17346 Midland Drive (913) 400-2509 hiexpress.com
RV Parks WALNUT GROVE
10218 Johnson Drive Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 262-3023 walnutgroverv.com
MEDICAL ADVENTHEALTH SHAWNEE MISSION 9100 W. 74th St. (913) 676-2000 shawneemission.org
CENTRA CARE SHAWNEE
11245 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-4455 centracare.org/Kansas
TWISTED FRESH
22030 W. 66th St. (913) 441-0444 twistedfresh.com
7405 Renner Road (913) 588-1227 kansashealthsystem.com
OISHI SUSHI
WANDERING VINE AT THE CASTLE
OVERLAND PARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER—ER OF SHAWNEE
12220 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-3888 www.oishisushiks.com
PATHLIGHT BREWING 11200 W. 75th St. (913) 400-2615 pathlightbrewing.com
PAULO & BILL
16501 Midland Drive (913) 962-9900 pauloandbill.com
PEGAH’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 11005 Johnson Drive (East Location) (913) 962-6700 5354 Roberts St. (West Location) (913) 422-3600 pegahs.com
12401 Johnson Drive wanderingvine.com
YO’S DONUTS
7170 Renner Road (913) 631-7023
STAY IN SHAWNEE Hotels COMFORT INN & SUITES 16510 Midland Drive (913) 962-5555 choicehotels.com
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 17250 Midland Drive (913) 631-8800 marriott.com
15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 (913) 631-6545 shawneekschamber.com
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE (888) 497-8668 sunflowerpub.com
CITY SERVICES CITY HALL
11110 Johnson Drive (913) 631-2500 cityofshawnee.org
CITY OF SHAWNEE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT 13817 Johnson Drive (913) 631-5200 cityofshawnee.org
FIRE DEPARTMENT
6501 Quivira Road (913) 631-1080 (nonemergency number) cityofshawnee.org
POLICE DEPARTMENT
5850 Renner Road (913) 631-2150 (nonemergency number) cityofshawnee.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM / KU MEDWEST
NICK AND JAKE’S
22220 Midland Drive (913) 914-8535 nickandjakes.com
SHAWNEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
10310 W. 63rd St. (913) 227-8400 hcamidwest.com/service/ emergency-care
ST. LUKE’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 14950 W. 67th St. (913) 323-5125 saintlukeskc.org
SHAWNEE INFO VISIT SHAWNEE
15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 (913) 631-6545 visitshawneeks.com sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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S H A W N E E
MAY 2022
JUNE 2022
AUGUST 2022
SEPTEMBER 2022
MAY 1
JUNE 2–5
AUGUST 5
SEPTEMBER 11
32ND ANNUAL TOUR DE SHAWNEE
OLD SHAWNEE DAYS
SUMMER CONCERT IN THE PARK
WHEELS & DREAMS CAR, TRUCK AND BIKE SHOW
A Shawnee staple, Tour de Shawnee is a cycling event that offers various lengths and routes for all riders! Traditionally kicking off early Sunday morning at Shawnee Civic Centre, the event provides riders an on-street, bicycle-friendly route, supported by Shawnee police. Cyclists of all ages and experience are encouraged to participate. It’s the perfect first-timer race or one to hone your skills. Pre-registration required. Sponsored by Shawnee Parks & Rec. 13817 Johnson Dr.
MAY 19 MOONLIGHT MARKET
Gather up your family and friends and head to downtown Shawnee for our popular monthly Moonlight Market! You’ll be able to grab fresh fruits and veggies from our Farmers Market vendors, check out unique, local crafts and handmade items, all while grooving to live music. And while you are down here, be sure to stop in at some of our local restaurants, breweries, and shops! 4 to 8 p.m., City Hall parking lot, 11110 Johnson Dr. Also June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17
MAY 28 SHAWNEE POOLS OPEN
Kick off the summer by visiting one of Shawnee’s two aquatic facilities. The City of Shawnee offers two wonderful opportunities to cool off in the heat: Splash Cove is the perfect destination for young children, and the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center offers amenities for anyone and everyone. Splash Cove, 5800 King Ave.; Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Dr.
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E V E N T S
Old Shawnee Days is the city’s marquee annual event featuring an entire weekend of fun! Known as one of the largest carnivals in the area, it features tons of games, rides, and more. The weekend traditionally kicks off with rides opening Thursday evening and then vendor booths opening Friday evening. Saturday is jam-packed with things to do as the morning brings a full parade featuring floats from local businesses and elected officials and a Rolle Bolle Championship. Many activities will be available around Shawnee Town 1929 for the whole family to enjoy on Saturday as well, and, in the evening, the headlining band plays a concert that thousands usually attend. Enjoy the music for free! The annual Baking Contest, rides and concessions are also open during the day on Sunday. NOTE: All-You-Can-Ride wristbands available for Thursday and Sunday.
JUNE 24 PARKED
PARKED is an Independence Day– themed food truck and music festival! Each year held at Stump Park, it’s a great way to get outdoors with the whole family on a Friday evening. Stop by and grab a bite to eat from any of the dozen food trucks parked nearby and find a spot to listen to the band before fireworks start at 9:30 P.M. 4751 Woodland Dr.
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In late summer, the City of Shawnee Parks and Rec hosts a concert in the intimate West Flanders Park nestled in downtown Shawnee near 55th and Nieman. Stop by for some energetic and fun live music and grab a bite to eat at the specially selected food truck. Best of all ... it’s free! Fun begins at 6:30 p.m. 11098 W 55th St.
Gear heads and car aficionados are invited to the annual Wheels and Dreams Car, Truck, and Bike Show. With live music, vendors, food trucks, and, of course, hundreds of classic and soupedup vehicles, it’s the perfect weekend outing for the family. Have a cool ride you want to show off? You can do that too! 1 to 4 p.m., Shawnee Town 1929, 1501 W. 57th St.
SEPTEMBER 17 ANNUAL FRIENDS OF SHAWNEE TOWN CRAFT FAIR Each fall, the Friends of Shawnee Town host an annual Craft and Fall Festival on the Shawnee Town grounds! Explore the entire event and visit dozens of vendors who can offer great items to spruce up the house, serve as a great gift, or even get your earliest of early Christmas shopping done, and there are free activities as well to entertain the kiddos. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1501 W. 57th St.
SEPTEMBER 23 & 24 ANNUAL SHAWNEE GREAT GRILLERS BBQ CONTEST
Shawnee’s sanctioned BBQ competition, features live music, select food trucks, and more at this two-day festival-style event. Shawnee Town 1929’s grounds are taken over by dozens of competitive teams creating a partylike atmosphere! 1501 W. 57th St.
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ST. PATRICK’S PARADE & CELEBRATION
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
This child-focused fall crafting event is held in downtown Shawnee in the parking lot at City Hall! Children are able to decorate pumpkins and complete other fall-related crafts. Parents can enjoy the Farmers Market and seasonal displays. Explore other areas of downtown Shawnee to see businesses’ decorated and themed scarecrows for the annual competition. 9 to 11:30 a.m. City Hall Parking lot, 11110 Johnson Dr.
OCTOBER 22 HOLIDAY TREASURES CRAFT FESTIVALS
Visiting the Holiday Treasures Craft Festival is the perfect way to cross off items on your holiday shopping list! Held at the Shawnee Civic Centre, there are so many vendors offering goods it’s hard not to be overwhelmed; keep in mind, admission is free so you have nothing to lose by stopping by. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 13817 Johnson Drive.
Explore three different Christmas cultures in one event at Shawnee’s Christkindlmarkt. Hosted by the Shawnee Sister Cities Committee, the holiday-themed event features an appearance by Santa, carolers, holiday treats, and crafts for entertaining the children. 2 to 6 p.m., starts at City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive. Shawnee’s Sister Cities are Pittem, Belgium; Listowel, Ireland; and Erfurt, Germany.
The Shawnee St. Patrick’s Parade is a full day of family fun featuring a variety of activities all centered around a parade that heads east down Johnson Drive. The parade traditionally ends in Downtown Shawnee at Johnson and Nieman and is then followed by the annual (rubber) Duck Race benefiting the Shawnee Sister Cities Committee. Traditional Irish food, drink, music and dance can also be found at the official, public after-party too. Parade begins at 1 p.m. and runs through Downtown Shawnee east along Johnson Drive, starting at Monrovia.
For more information on Shawnee events, visit our website! visitshawneeks.com
OCTOBER 29 HISTORICAL HAUNTINGS
Many children claim their favorite holiday is Halloween … and for good reason! They get to come to Shawnee Town 1929 for a wonderful not-so-spooky event. Admission is free for all adults and children with just a small donation suggested. The evening is full of activities, including hayrides, trick-or-treating, photos, and, of course, lots of candy! 6 to 8:30 p.m., 1501 W. 57th St.
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GALLERY S H A W N E E
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