The Massachusetts Street business landscape is shifting as a mansion becomes an event venue, a beloved deli announces its return, a pizza shop suddenly closes and more.
The Castle venue coming soon
The Castle on Mass, a Victorian Romanesque revival landmark at 1307 Massachusetts St., is opening up as an intimate event venue after years of use as an office space.
Built in 1894 as the home of retired Civil War Gen. John N. Roberts and later operated as the Castle Tea room by Libuse “Libby” Kriz-Fiorito, the limestone building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and overseen by the Libuse Kriz-Fiorito Historical Foundation.
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The foundations, which Kriz-Fiorito established before her death, placed the property in a trust to ensure its preservation and continued community presence.
The venue’s new operators — Jena Lynn Dick, who also owns J. Lynn Bridal, and her husband, Cory Lauridsen — signed a lease to transform the building into a flexible space for weddings, corporate meetings, anniversary and holiday parties, and other gatherings.
Working with the foundation’s five-member volunteer board, they have begun refreshing the interiors while preserving key historic features like the hand-carved woodwork and fireplaces and restoring windowsills and exterior stonework.
The layout includes multiple rooms separated by sliding pocket doors, a courtyard with a carriage house and restrooms, a ballroom space and a second-floor tower that will serve as a natural light photography studio.
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Dick says they plan to host their first paid event on Thursday, Oct. 1, following a Sept. 24 chamber of commerce ribbon cutting.
The venue is also ADA-compliant with access via an exterior lift and interior elevator, multiple restrooms across all three levels. The space is available for private booking at this link.
Minsky’s Pizza closes
Minsky’s Pizza’s Lawrence location at 934 Massachusetts St. announced that it was closing permanently with no notice in a Facebook post on Monday.
Minsky’s is a local chain with 16 locations throughout the Kansas City metro area.
“We thank you for your support throughout our years in business,” a graphic in the post reads.
Their website directs customers to take a “short 20-minute drive” to their Olathe-Ridgeview location.
Discussions in local Facebook groups suggested that employees were given no notice and lost their jobs the same day. Attempts to reach Minsky’s were unsuccessful.
Mass Street Deli to return
Former mayor Bob Schumm first opened Mass Street Deli in 1973. It operated for 37 years at 941 Massachusetts St. before closing in 2010.
Ever since he announced that it will once again serve hungry customers at 717 Massachusetts St. — the former Glik’s location — folks have been approaching Schumm to share their memories of the original deli.
When he went to vote Tuesday, he said, the person checking his ID card told him that she met her husband at Mass Street Deli. He said several engagements also took place at the shop over the years.
“It’s a lot of the same people every week, every couple days, and so you get to know them real well, they get to know the staff,” he said. “And it gets to be kind of like having guests over to your home.”
Schumm is building off of the menu that was last updated in 1999. Some items will drop off, like burgers and fries.
“I outlawed the fryer from the start,” he said. “I don’t want to ever see another fryer as long as I live.”
He’s beefing up the salad menu with classics like the Kansas All-American and new, hearty options. Diners won’t see every sandwich from the 1999 roster, but they can expect Reubens with different meat and bread options, Philly sandwiches and the Owner’s Special, a smoked sausage sandwich with mushrooms, onions, peppers and jalapeño pepper cheese.
“That was quite a delightful, snappy little sandwich,” he said. “Well, wasn’t little, it was huge.”
Mass Street Deli will also have homemade soups in the fall.
Schumm is waiting on a building permit from the city, but if all goes speedily, he hopes to be open in early November. They’ll gradually expand their open days and operating hours as Schumm ensures staff are trained and everything is up to his code.
“We want to do it right from the first customer to the last customer … so that we present the meal the way that it needs to be presented: good and hot and yummy,” he said.
More business updates
• Blade & Timber Axe Throwing and indoor miniature golf spot Sinkers Lounge, both at 722 Massachusetts St., are merging to make a grown-up playground: Recess Lawrence.
Owned by Matt Baysinger, Recess will keep the fun of the original venues while adding The Ice Cream Barlor with ice cream and booze and a retro 1980s and 1990s arcade in the basement. They’ll also host mahjong every Wednesday and leagues for darts, axe throwing and miniature golf.
“RECESS is all about bringing a little play back into your night out,” Baysinger wrote in a Facebook post. “Come throw some axes, play a round of mini golf, try your hand at tabletop golf, and grab a craft cocktail or a cold beer while you’re at it.”
We were unable to connect with Baysinger for an interview prior to publication. Learn more on the Recess Facebook page.
• Ad Astra Piercing Co. is buying its next downtown home.
Owners Brett Pfanenstiel and Natalie Wintz said they purchased the building at 742 Massachusetts St. to secure a long-term location rather than continue renting their current studio at 5 E. Seventh St.
The new space will be slightly larger but keep a similar layout — lobby and three piercing rooms. Depending on permits and light construction to build out rooms, the move could happen by early next year, Pfanenstiel said.
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at [email protected].
Read her complete bio here. Read her work for the Times at this link, and see her photography for the Times at this link.
Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
