My sister often says “when you are having a rough day, pamper yourself”. Even if it is as simple as a visit to a quaint coffeeshop. Recently, I was muddling through the quagmires of a family relationship. Thankfully, the city of Leavenworth just happened to invite me to come blog about their town. Boutique browsing sounded like an ideal restorative during a disheartening time. So, off I went to Leavenworth, Kansas. I was so thankful for Kristi Lee at the Visitor Center for making the arrangements for the City to host me for three days. I had a remarkable visit.
I went right to Burr Roasters. The interior is lined with cheerful paintings by town artists. I stepped up to the counter, and asked Ray if he is a “coffee whisperer”. He wasn’t sure, but we gave it a try. I described my flavor palate, and he went to work. Soon, he handed me the drink, and sure enough, it matched my tastes perfectly.
It felt so good to wander down the historic roads, and rub shoulders with the lives and stories from the past here. It does my heart good to walk in and out of the shops that still stand proudly in these aged towns. I greatly respect the business owners who lovingly guard and care for these grand old places on our earth. My exuberance soared as I entered the elegant shop, Artistic Works by Lu. The building is from 1865 – clear back to the Civil War!
I met Lu, the owner. She designs all their jewelry. They have displays for those of us who like the brighter colors, and then there are calmer tones for those who prefer to wear subtler colors. Lu matches the clothing choices to the jewelry. She has thought of everything. Trust me – it is a treat to come here. They will even customize jewelry for you. As a California girl, I love to wear anklets. Lu said I could just pick out a bracelet and she would make it into an anklet on the spot. Her necklaces are interchangeable with pendants and charms. So, you can easily change the style for all your outfits. The interior is vibrantly chic and is one of the highlights of Leavenworth.
Next stop – Queen’s Pantry Teas. I come here several times a year for the change of seasonal teas. As you can see, I bought a violet iced tea (Royal Teaser), and two canisters of tea bags for my Literary Society. This is one of my regional happy places.
Nearby is Candle Queen’s Candles. I learned Queen is a common title here, because in the 1800’s Leavenworth was deemed the “Queen of the West”. That story is coming in another blog soon. Candle Queen’s is delightfully eclectic.
Inside of Candle Queens is an underground tunnel. There are multiple tunnels throughout the city. It is assumed they were a part of the Underground Railroad. Candle Queen’s gives regular tours through theirs, which are posted on their Facebook page. There is also an AirBnB upstairs, named Queenie’s Loft. How cool would that be – to stay in a building from the 1800’s?!
There are many shops in Leavenworth. I will post more photos on my Instagram and Facebook pages. If you need a pamper day, Leavenworth will take good care of you. You will leave smiling and feeling contented in your soul.