Menard's project highlights city rule on vacant space; a look at how Lawrence ranks in state retail report

Come on, Lawrence planning commission. Just let Menards build its store in town, and thus give Home Depot the competition it desperately needs. If you really want to improve the shopping experience in town, you should do a better job of showing it as well; a pull factor of 1.07 isn't bad, but it could certainly be better.

It is very disappointing how little concern you've shown in terms of businesses closures and retail development in Lawrence proper over the past few years. When Old Navy left you didn't seem to care less; when Lowe's showed interest in building a store on West 6th you gave in to residents who didn't want it out there; when Olive Garden became interested in placing a restaurant at 27th and Iowa you fought tooth and nail to keep that from happening; and now with Half Price Books in the gradual process of leaving town, there has been no effort from you in terms of attracting another quality bookseller (such as Barnes & Noble) to the Lawrence market, even with Lawrence being a college town with a highly-educated population.
Something is obviously *very* wrong with this picture.

It's understandable how you in Lawrence would like to keep as many locally-owned businesses in town as possible; I've especially noticed that mentality myself whenever I come to your city. But if you think about it, the more chain business there are in town, the more shoppers (especially from elsewhere) you will attract. This would surely mean more locally-owned businesses opening in Lawrence proper, and overall more sales tax revenue plus a greater "pull factor". This is why I believe that with Menards in town, you will not only be providing another home-improvement retail option, but fewer Lawrence shoppers will leave for Topeka or the Kansas City area if they wish to shop at any home-improvement retailer besides Home Depot (thus resulting in some *lost* sales tax revenue).

So please, planning commission, how about bringing Menards to the Lawrence market and quit fighting it, hmm? Granted, you don't want to oversaturate the market, but this is just *one* store coming to town.

April 22, 2013 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Menards files plans to build store east of Home Depot near 31st and Iowa

Yeah, Home Depot could use come competition (though it is a little weird that Menards is locating right next to it). I will also agree that Dick's Sporting Goods should come to Lawrence as well. And how about bringing Barnes & Noble to town? Maybe even bring OLD NAVY back to Lawrence?

February 21, 2013 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Recreation center and Rock Chalk Park Q&A

Weren't there once plans for the new rec center to have an ice arena? I'm pretty sure I once read about that...

February 17, 2013 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Curbside recycling committee recommending city sign contract with Hamm Companies for local recycling center; question of whether to accept glass still undecided

It would be silly for Lawrence's recycling program (especially if it involved curbside recycling) to not accept glass. Just plain silly. Up here in conservative Saint Joseph, Missouri, even though we've never had curbside recycling, our recycling program accepts glass. So Lawrence can do the same.

February 8, 2013 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Myers Liquor files plan for drive-through lane and new retail space at 23rd and Alabama location

Saint Joseph still has a pawn shop with a drive-through lane.

December 20, 2012 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Town Talk: New housing development proposed for Sixth and George Williams Way; alterations shop opens at Sixth and Wakarusa; rumors that Casey's General Store interested in Lawrence

No Casey's General Store in Lawrence?! That's rather odd. I'd say go for it, and work toward bringing in a Casey's. They do have good pizza.

And while you're at it, Lawrence, how about working toward bringing Old Navy back to town? Olive Garden, perhaps? Maybe even Outback Steakhouse?

November 1, 2012 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Town Talk: Another store adds to antique hub in N. Lawrence; group still pondering riverfront redevelopment; abandoned trailer park may become single-family neighborhood

North Lawrence sure needed more shops, especially since the Tanger Outlet Mall flopped. It's also nice that they opened at North Seventh and Locust (a more centralized location), and not just along the highway. Antique stores are certainly a perfect fit for Lawrence as well.

October 25, 2012 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Town Talk: Papa Murphy's pizza, karate, wireless phone store and a credit union slated for new West Lawrence center

Yeah, I know. Just thought I'd mention it anyway.

October 18, 2012 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Town Talk: Papa Murphy's pizza, karate, wireless phone store and a credit union slated for new West Lawrence center

Another suggestion would be, if you're trying to bring another pizza place to Lawrence, how about working toward bringing Old Chicago back to town? Just a thought...

October 18, 2012 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Town Talk: O'Reilly Auto Parts to open Sixth and Kasold store by mid-November; dry cleaning business expands west; Lone Star Lake E. Coli levels rise; Baldwin working to keep Maple Leaf route clear

My bad. See, I don't come to Lawrence very much, so I didn't know what the situation was in that neighborhood, specifically in terms of the availability of auto parts stores. Kind of weird you all wouldn't have any out there...

October 18, 2012 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )