WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Tractor Supply Co. set to get a neighbor; eastside bar closes

It can be lonely on a tractor. (Ask my prom date. No one was there to roll out the red carpet for us.) The folks at Tractor Supply Co. on the far east edge of Lawrence understand that lonely feeling. The store was built in 2010 near 23rd Street and O’Connell Road, and it was presumed that more retail development would follow. Now, construction has started on the lot next door, but it is not an exciting new ...

Lawrence-based real estate firm to renovate old retail building, move its headquarters

A 40-year-old retail building will get a major overhaul as it prepares to become the headquarters for a Lawrence real estate agency that has been in town even longer. Plans have been filed for a complete renovation of the Stone Meadows Square shopping center at Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue, and leaders with Stephens Real Estate have confirmed their company will be moving into the center later this year. ...

Sales tax figures show city ends the year with a surplus; Lawrence City Commission may discuss using it to fund homeless shelter

It was a good — but not great — year for Lawrence sales tax collections, the year-end numbers from the state show. Now, the question is: Was it good enough that the City of Lawrence will give some extra funding to the community’s homeless shelter? After receiving its December sales tax check from the state, the figures show Lawrence received about $400,000 more in sales and use tax collections in 2019 ...

South Iowa Street car dealer plans to demolish showroom, build new one with more space for vehicles

I have automotive news that involves a wrecking ball. (No, this isn’t another story of me parking in the wrong spot at a construction site.) Rather, plans have been filed by the local Honda dealership to tear down its existing showroom along south Iowa Street to make more room for more cars. The plans are part of a major overhaul of the dealership, which was purchased by Lawrence-based Dale Willey Automotive ...

KC food truck plans to brings its grilled cheese menu to downtown restaurant; new plans for old ice cream shop

I find a good grilled cheese sandwich exhilarating. (My heart gets a jolt every time I stick a knife into the toaster to pry free my culinary creation.) OK, maybe my technique is off, but an area chef is betting that my enthusiasm for grilled cheese is widespread. An existing downtown restaurant soon will turn its menu over to grilled cheese and, just for good measure, mac and cheese too. Lucia Beer Garden ...

From scandals to big buildings, a look at the top local stories of the decade

The national scene came to Lawrence during the past decade — at least for a day. Does anybody still remember Jan. 22, 2015 — the day when President Barack Obama became the first sitting president in more than 100 years to visit Lawrence? It is OK if the day slipped your mind. That’s not the president everyone is thinking of currently, and in fairness, no one sent out a tweet to remind you. But as the ...