WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Lawrence-based suicide prevention organization signs deal for new space; move will allow statewide hotline to grow

A Lawrence nonprofit is undertaking a major expansion that it expects will cement its standing as the leading suicide prevention organization in the state. Headquarters Counseling Center later this month will move from its longtime, but small, home in downtown Lawrence into a new space in eastern Lawrence. The center has signed a deal to occupy about 6,700 square feet of office space in the industrial park ...

Mexican restaurant chain closes its location on 23rd Street

Story updated 10:24 a.m. Monday One stretch of Lawrence street is losing another Mexican restaurant. The city's lone Qdoba Mexican Eats announced Friday that it has closed. Qdoba was located at 1714 W. 23rd St., which is a stretch of street that at one point probably had more Mexican restaurants per square foot than any place in town. It maybe still does, but the Qdoba closing comes a few months after Taco ...

Party supply store finds new Lawrence home with demolition of shopping center imminent; look for new type of drive-thru on 23rd Street

If you are like me, a steak dinner is plenty of a reason to wear one of those pointy party hats. Throw in a loaded baked potato and we’ll have a heck of a fiesta, once I wake up from my nap. So, maybe it makes sense that Party America is moving into a space just behind the steakhouse chain Texas Roadhouse. There had been some concern that Party America’s days were numbered. As we’ve reported, the 23rd ...

Whistleblower who brought forward concerns of missing money at Clinton State Park fired by state; leader says it wasn't retribution

A whistleblower in a case involving missing documents and accounting irregularities at Clinton State Park has been fired by the state, the Journal-World has learned. At least three other park employees also have had their jobs impacted, although it is unclear whether they also were fired or placed on leave while the state investigates whether accounting irregularities led to stolen money at the park. In late ...

After 11 years of art and supplies, downtown retailer expanding with full-fledged gallery

Whether you like to collect art or simply collect doodles in a notebook, a downtown retailer has news for you. Wonder Fair has signed a deal to open a second store in downtown, which will allow the art and stationery retailer to open a full-fledged gallery while also expanding its offerings in the worlds of pens and paper. Wonder Fair currently is located at 841 Massachusetts St. It will remain in that ...

Major bike manufacturer plans to open corporate-owned store on south Iowa Street

I have gone round and round on this rumor, but I’m now confident in reporting that Lawrence is getting a major new player in the world of bike shops. Trek, one of the biggest names in both the road racing and mountain biking worlds, is opening a corporate-owned store in Lawrence. Trek’s website lists a variety of job openings for a store in Lawrence, which matches with the rumors I’ve been hearing in the ...