WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Signs indicate a popular KC ice cream shop plans to open in west Lawrence near Sixth and Wakarusa

A growing Kansas City-based chain of ice cream shops that claims to have a grandma as a secret weapon is coming to Lawrence. Betty Rae’s Ice Cream has filed paperwork at Lawrence City Hall for a permit for a west Lawrence location. The company hasn’t yet confirmed on its website or social media that it is coming to Lawrence, but a representative of the company told me more details about its Lawrence plans ...

A wrap and bowl restaurant all about surfer and beach vibes is coming to sunny south Iowa Street

I’ve never thought much about what a surfer packs for lunch. (Something waterproof, I suppose.) Soon, Lawrence diners can explore for themselves as a small chain restaurant that is all about surfer culture opens on south Iowa Street. Longboards Wraps and Bowls is in the process of opening at 2540 Iowa St., which is the shopping center that houses First Watch and is just north of the Popeyes restaurant. (Now, ...

Plans filed for big home with penthouse views near KU stadium; 11th Street game day closures coming

News and notes from around town, or, perhaps more accurately, from around the football stadium: — Plans have been filed for what looks like a pretty large, extraordinary home to be built a bit catty-corner from KU’s football stadium. A site plan recently has been filed at Lawrence City Hall for the vacant lot at 1218 Mississippi St. That address may not be ringing a bell, but chances are good that you ...

Panasonic officially opens De Soto battery plant; leader says facility still on track to employ 4,000 people

UPDATE 4:15 P.M. JULY 14 The first phase of Panasonic Energy’s nearly 5-million-square-foot electric vehicle battery factory is officially open in De Soto and marching toward an impressive production goal: Churning out 70 batteries per second. But as dignitaries from both Japan and Congress gathered Monday morning for a grand opening celebration, there was a different type of production question that hung ...

Girod says KU still in talks with Panasonic about locating research facility on Lawrence's West Campus

With its new electric vehicle battery plant now open in De Soto, University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod hopes Panasonic’s next Kansas project is one that will land on the KU campus. Girod told the Journal-World on Monday that KU continues to be in discussions with Panasonic officials about creating a research center at Innovation Park, which is the public-private development underway on KU’s West ...

While home construction is slow in Lawrence, Baldwin City has building lots ready for 120 houses

On a parcel of pasture not far from where the Santa Fe Trail once stretched, Baldwin City leaders are embarking on a big adventure. Area developers in this town of about 5,000 people in southern Douglas County have presented, and the city council has approved, a plan to convert this rolling grassland site into a new neighborhood that will have 35 big homes setting on lots of about 1 acre each. Roads and ...