WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Whether it is thanks to football's return to Lawrence or something else, retail sales jumped in latest report

Lawrence’s football fortunes may be on the rebound. Yes, that is an odd statement to make after Saturday’s rivalry game with Kansas State, but the football activity I’m referring to doesn’t involve watching the scoreboards. Rather, look at sales tax reports. (I gladly would have, if I had any on me during Saturday’s game.) The state’s most recent sales tax report is the first one that includes ...

One of Johnson County's largest housing developers takes first step to develop 134 acres in Eudora

While Lawrence is struggling to build new homes, a few hundred of them may soon emerge just a few miles east of the city. On Monday, the 6,500-person community of Eudora — about five miles east of the Lawrence city limits — annexed 134-acres of property along Kansas Highway 10, and expects much of the property will be used for residential development. The property currently is pasture land on the north ...

Downtown Lawrence's Black Stag Brewery & Pub closes; plans for east side Casey's moving forward

News and notes from around town: — Lawrence’s robust craft brewery scene became a little less so this weekend. Black Stag Brewery & Pub, 623 Massachusetts, ceased operations on Saturday. “We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who visited, shared a meal, and raised a glass with us over the years,” the pub’s website reads as part of an announcement regarding the closing. “Your ...

Search for a business to occupy Lawrence's oldest community building continues; Turnhalle project likely to stretch into 2027

The Turnhalle building at Ninth and Rhode Island streets, just east of downtown, is nothing if not patient. Dating back to 1869, it is believed to be the oldest community building in Lawrence, and it has remained standing despite decades of little to no use of its grand hall that features wood floors, a balcony and a makeshift stage, among other amenities. The building likely will need to be patient for ...

Lawrence's Nissan dealership to take over former home of John Deere on 23rd Street; no update on Lawrence Kia investigation

News and notes from around town: — There will be less green and more speedometers that extend beyond 30 miles per hour at Lawrence’s former John Deere dealership. The site along East 23rd Street is set to become the new home for Lawrence’s Nissan dealership. Dream Nissan plans to move its dealership to the site at 1110 E. 23rd Street before the end of the year. As we reported in June, Baldwin ...

From 'Rummage Rampage' to stadium concerts, a few takeaways from recent tour of Des Moines and Ames

Given the number of times I’ve glowingly mentioned Casey’s breakfast pizza in this column, you might think it dangerous to my health to travel to a city with a downtown arena named after the convenience store chain. But I did it, and I’ve returned. Des Moines, Iowa, is home to the Casey’s Center, as the company’s headquarters is located in a suburb of the city. Last week I was part of a local ...