MISSION
The Lawrence Restaurant Association (LRA) is an assembly of business owners, chefs and food industry professionals who work together for the benefit of our industry in Douglas County, KS. LRA aims to support small businesses, hospitality industry workers, our community, the local economy and the environment through advocacy, information sharing and programming.
Laura Klein // Chair // Mass. Street Fish House
Codi Bates // Vice-Chair // Bon Bon, The Burger Stand, The Cider Gallery, Taco Zone
K. Meisel // Treasurer // Leeway Franks, Leeway Butcher
Ellie Wallace // Secretary
Emily Peterson // Past Chair // Merchants Pub & Plate
Mary Holt // Member // Henry’s Upstairs & Grounded Coffee
Mike Logan // Member // Granada, Abe & Jakes, The Bottleneck, Lucia, Rick’s Place, Lawrence Beer Company
Will Soo // Member // Lucky Seb’s Dumpling Bar
Pete Sorrentino // Member // Dempsey’s Burger Pub
Rob Zernickow // Member // Rudy’s Pizzeria
Dave Leff // Member // Free State Brewing Company
OUR BOARD
LRA in the Community
Our hospitality and service extends beyond our shops – here’s what we’re doing in the community.
Hospitality Workers Relief Fund
The fund is dedicated to hospitality workers in our community, with a mission to provide stability and support in times of need. We partner with community organizations that provide critical services, including childcare, whole health and dental care, counseling, utility and rent assistance.
CARES Grant Funding
LRA received over $2 million to support locally owned and operated Hospitality businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19. The funds provided reimbursement for necessary expenditures to respond to the public health emergency, including PPE, sanitation, public health measures, service adjustments and/or business interruption related expenses.
School Lunch Program
At the onset of the pandemic, this was an amazing collaboration to fund, organize, make and distribute meals. The program ended up serving 7 days a week, 2,500 meals per day. In total, over 96,000 meals were served.