Ahead of Juneteenth and Pride Month celebrations in June, the Greater Topeka Partnership is encouraging local businesses to promote inclusivity and show support for historically marginalized groups.
The partnership on Wednesday announced its new Inclusive Topeka campaign, which is designed to build on prior commitments to promote diversity and inclusion and provide local businesses a way to publicly display their support for such efforts. Last fall, the Visit Topeka board of directors voted to adopt a written statement, committing our organization to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in how we operate, said Visit Topeka president Sean Dixon. Now that we ve begun to reopen and welcome visitors back to Topeka, we re thrilled to take this as an opportunity to invite our attractions, our restaurants and our retailers to join us in our commitment.
But according to general manager Joanna Becker, it was a good problem to have. We were so blessed, she said. We had so much community support throughout the entire day, but specifically towards the evening. People were ready for us.
The Burger Stand, 2833 S.W. 29th St., officially opened to dine-in customers at the restaurant s new location on May 1, after moving to the Brookwood Shopping Center from Topeka s College Hill area earlier this year.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, the restaurant announced on its Facebook page that it would close four hours early due to the community absolutely astounding us with support, the post read.
With a restaurant moving in and the expansion of two existing businesses, southwest Topeka s Brookwood Shopping Center has some notable changes in store.
Brookwood, which started more than 60 years ago as a single building, has grown into a strip mall that includes close to three dozen businesses. And two of those businesses Linen Tree & Co., at 2841 S.W. 29th, and SoulFire Nutrition, just next door are shaking things up this spring.
In addition, The Burger Stand, which was formerly located in Topeka s College Hill neighborhood, is moving into the Brookwood restaurant space at 2833 S.W. 29th. That storefront has been home in the past to Boss Hawg’s Barbeque & Catering Co., Pigskin s Sports Bar and, most recently, 4 Guys Bar & Grill.