Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
John Brown’s Aboveground patio is open again after three years, representing a small team’s labor to survive the COVID era, adapt to changing city codes and net a James Beard award nomination.
John Brown’s Underground was nominated for outstanding bar and Saltwell Farm Kitchen executive chef Rozz Petrozz was nominated for Best Chef: Midwest in this year’s prestigious James Beard Awards.
Lawrence city commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that will allow some downtown establishments to derive up to 90% of their sales from liquor for the next couple of years.
Adam Johnson/Lawrence Times TV
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will vote on a resolution that would allow some small downtown establishments to derive up to 90% of their sales from liquor for the next few years.
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday deferred an amendment to city code that would have allowed John Brown’s Underground to keep operating — but they want to look at ways to expand the opportunity to other businesses, too.
John Brown’s Underground, a craft cocktail lounge in downtown Lawrence, has made a creative addition to the local bar scene since it opened in 2014. But a city code designed to limit liquor sales downtown is now threatening the business’s future.
