photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Lawrence-based Uplift Coffee has signed a deal to locate in the former Rusty Taco location at 10th and Massachusetts streets, pictured on April 8, 2026.

If there is one question that may get asked as often as “how can there be so many taco places in Lawrence,” it might be “how can there be so many coffee shops in Lawrence?”

I’m not sure I have the answer, but I do have a new twist on the questions: “What happens when a coffee shop goes into a former taco place?”

The answer is a whole of lot of goodness, the owner of Lawrence-based Uplift Coffee is betting. Uplift has signed a deal to open in downtown Lawrence in the building at 10th and Massachusetts streets that formerly housed Rusty Taco.

Plans call for the location at 945 and 947 Massachusetts Street to become the shop’s third Lawrence location, joining the original Uplift Coffee that is located in North Lawrence and a smaller shop with a drive-thru located at 4000 W. Sixth Street, owner Kelli Huslig told me.

As for how Lawrence can have so many coffee shops, Huslig said one key is to not just be a coffee shop.

“We are in the people business,” Huslig said. “It is all about relationships to me.”

This new location — which will be the company’s largest — has Huslig particularly excited on that front. The space is so large that it has its own private conference/meeting room. While it will be great for corporate meetings or other such gatherings, what Huslig is really looking forward to is filling it with kids.

Huslig — a former teacher who taught third grade in Colorado and was a longtime administrator at Lawrence’s Veritas Christian School — has been hosting children story times at her two existing shops. Parents get to enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up with other adults, while their children participate in a fun but structured activity.

“It is one of those things I would have loved as a parent, and as a teacher, I know how valuable it is,” Huslig said of the unusual coffee shop offering.

The new location will provide the program a boost because the sessions currently are dependent on nice weather. Both of Uplift’s current locations are small enough that the story time sessions have to be held outside.

With the new location, Huslig said she’ll be able to have the sessions on a more regular basis and regardless of the weather. Of course, the extra space at the new location will have benefits that go beyond the children. Coffee drinkers are more likely to be able to find a seat whenever they drop by, Huslig said.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Uplift Coffee’s original location at 624 N. Second Street is pictured on April 8, 2026.

She’s expecting the new location will have about 35 seats — including counter seating — while the company’s two existing Lawrence shops have about 10 to 15 fewer seats. The shop also will feature a wider variety of seating configurations, including a secluded nook area for a group of about a half-dozen, plus special areas near the shop’s windows. The new location also will include additional outdoor, sidewalk seating areas.

Huslig said she thinks all of that and Uplift’s established reputation will help it thrive in downtown. But she also credits Lawrence with being a great coffee town, and that goes beyond the quality coffee that so many shops serve. She said it also extends to a mindset that Lawrence coffee drinkers have. She said Lawrence coffee customers are great about supporting multiple shops. Many of the shops have different vibes, and coffee drinkers change their routines based on what type of environment they want to be in that day.

“I love it that you can choose different ones for different days of the week,” Huslig said.

Huslig also said she made the decision to expand into downtown because of how many fond memories she had with her family on Massachusetts Street when her children were younger. Plus, she thinks she could provide downtown with a needed boost. She’s heard from more people in recent years who no longer go to downtown on a regular basis. Huslig figures another local business locating in the district can help.

“I need to somehow be a part of saying ‘hey, downtown is a great thing that makes Lawrence special,'” Huslig said. “It is a special little nugget. I really feel like business owners need to band together in building it back. The ones that are already there are doing great and working so hard. I just feel like the more teammates they have, the more we can pool together to bring people back to downtown.”

Huslig said she’s expecting the shop to open sometime in May. When it does, it will feature Uplift’s own custom roasted coffee. Her son Trey began the shop’s local roasting program last year. The shop also will feature a full bakery menu, which includes not only traditional pastries but also a variety of burritos made with fresh tortillas, biscuit sandwiches and several protein bowls and other healthy and quick options, Huslig said.

photo by: Submitted

Various items from Uplift Coffee’s bakery menu are pictured.