neighborhood scout: lawrence, ks

I may be in Chicago now, but the love from the heart of America doesn’t go away. Last summer, when we were still living in Kansas City, MO,  Mitch and I ventured out to Lawrence, KS. For those of you who don’t know what Lawrence is, it’s a nice little town about 45 minutes outside of KC (on the Kansas side, clearly). It’s the home of the University of Kansas (Mitch’s alma matter) and is a pretty cool, somewhat hippie + hipster town.

Inside Lawrence you will find lots of art and music culture, which is what I love it about, plus so much more. The town is a little off the path, if you’re traveling to Kansas City, but it is well worth the trip out.

Local Shops in Lawrence, KS

Made

Ah, Made, this type of store is always one of my favorites. Carrying a wide range of midwest made items from local creators and from other areas of the region. You can find anything here for anyone – there’s tons of options and you know you are supporting a different maker with each item. What I love most about Made is that it’s such a great platform to connect artists with people who they may have never been able to reach or sell to. Plus, it’s a great way for these crafters to kinda have a brick-and-mortar experience. Bonus: they have lots of Lawrence and KU-themed items, so you can take piece of Lawrence home with you.

We ended up walking away with a new cat toy and a Harry Potter-themed print for a gift.

Phoenix Underground / Phoenix Gallery

What if we combined the best of both art worlds: a gallery and a handmade shop? Well, Phoenix did just this. Step down under and you’ll find a selection of  handmade items from different artists for sale. Now, this is completely different than the vibe some place like Made. Here you’ll find more arts-y home pieces, jewelry and clothing.

Turn around from the shelves of goodies and you’re instantly in the art gallery. With a contrast of white, open spaces displaying the art plays well off the more tight-knit shelves you were just perusing. There’s also more work upstairs which is right next to the door to head downstairs (“underground”). Overall, this unique space features over 300 local, regional, and national artists – fantastic!

Wonder Fair

Want to get lost in bright colors, fun trinkets and really nice artwork, stationary and supplies? Pop into Wonder Fair.

First off, this place is a lot bigger than you think walking in. There’s the main floor, a little loft/upstairs portion and a back room that’s a gallery of prints. Second, this spot is all about creativity, and you can really feel it. I absolutely love the vibes of fun and quirk you get from wandering the shelves. If you’re a stationary geek or obsessor (c’mon, I know you are!) then you’ll find tons here – calendars, notepads, pens, notebooks, desk trinkets, etc. I literally just got lost in my wonder of all the goodies!

Upstairs in the little loft space is more geared toward the artists. This is where you’ll find your exquisite pencils, portfolios, sketch books and more. Plus, you get a nice little view of the shop!

Head back down and you’ll see cards, fun artwork and bright artwork, stamps and even some kids items. Make your way to the back and be mesmerized by the rainbow string art spanning the wide open room. Follow it along and you’ll be guided through the large selection of prints in all sizes and types. This area is set up more like an art gallery, but you can dig into the drawers to find prints to purchase.

Manabar

Mana Bar is a quirky little “beverage lounge” featuring a wide range of teas and other beneficial drinks. The staff is super knowledgeable to help you choose a drink, as most can be “functional” and have added benefits other than caffeine. The vibe is very down to earth and homey – if you’re looking for a very chill atmosphere, with a unique menu, then this is a must stop.

There’s so much more to this magical little town. Trail up and down Massachusetts (Mass) Street and you’ll find so many great restaurants, coffee shops, music venues and the heart of what Lawrence, Kansas has to offer.

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