Do you consider yourself a home chef or perhaps the world’s best gift giver? Lawrence is home to a long list of specialty stores catering to shoppers who want to shop local for gourmet food products.

FIZZ & HOPS

MASS STREET SODA

Since 2014, Mass Street Soda’s shelves have stocked over 1,300 varieties of premium craft soda, including imported flavors available individually, as a 6-pack, or in bulk. The store, voted “The Most Popular Tourist Attraction in the State of Kansas” by Parade Magazine, is known for its fruit sodas, butter beer, uniquely flavored sodas, and an extensive selection of root beer. Window seats invite shoppers to savor the sweet fizz with a downtown view.

FREE STATE BREWING COMPANY BOTTLING FACILITY

Craft beer drinkers who like to let the good times flow with a pint or three (nobody’s judging!) of Free State Brewing Company’s brews will appreciate a tour of its bottling facility when free public tours are available – reservations required.

INTERNATIONAL INGREDIENTS

AU MARCHÉ

Shopping at Au Marché is the next best thing to shopping in a European market. The store carries Swedish, Dutch, and German products, including deli meats, cheese, jarred condiments, and pickled gherkins. Dessert lovers will drool over gourmet chocolates, and 15-20 varieties of Paul’s Better Bakery macarons baked fresh daily.

BRITS

Are you craving a spot of tea? Brits carries a vast selection of British gourmet food products imported from across the pond. While shopping for Harney & Sons tea or Grandma Wild’s biscuits, purchase a book about English living and wait for wanderlust to set in. Don’t leave without shopping for crumpets from the reach-in refrigerator.

LA ESTRELLA MEXICANA MARKET

La Estrella Mexicana Market is a hidden gem. Literally, it’s tucked away in the basement of a local restaurant that serves made-to-order tamales, burritos, and tacos. Traditionalists who prepare Mexican cuisine will appreciate aisles of packaged dried spices and imported grocery items. The refrigerated meat and cheese cases are worth a look.

CASA AZTECA MARKET

Piñatas. Tortillas. Desserts. Casa Azteca Market carries what you expect to find at a neighborhood Mexican grocery store and then some. Don’t be surprised if you visit the market to purchase ingredients for tonight’s dinner and leave with a set of handcrafted pottery or jewelry.

COSMOS INDIAN STORE

At Cosmos Indian Store, shoppers embark on a cultural food tour with flavorful herbs and spices and exotic produce on the ready. This is the place to shop when you need to purchase Basmati rice for a home-cooked curry entree. Prepared meals are available when you’d rather someone else do the cooking.

MEDITERRANEAN MARKET & CAFE

Part grocery store, part restaurant, Mediterranean Market & Cafe draws a lunch crowd craving seasonal Shawarma or vegetarian sandwiches. Packaged baklava rests near the register. Turkish, Mediterranean, Indian, and Italian food products are stacked high on nearby shelves. It’s the only store in town that sells refrigerated Ziyad’s Kataífí Shredded and Fillo doughs.

AFRICAN CARIBBEAN GROCERY STORE

African Caribbean Grocery Store is the go-to source for hard-to-find African and Caribbean grocery staples at affordable prices. The secret to flavorful Nigerian soups, stews, and meat entrees lies in using authentic ingredients found at the market. Plantains, anyone?

F MART

F Mart satisfies shoppers searching for Asian-heritage food staples ranging from frozen dumplings to fresh produce. And when Sriracha lovers discover their favorite condiment is out of stock at traditional grocery stores, it’s likely nestled next to jarred Asian sauces at F Mart.

FARM TO FORK

YODER MEATS

Yoder Meats supplies grill cooks grass-fed beef when steak is the main course. The butcher shop sells all-natural, top-quality products, and it's known for carrying exotic meats and cheeses. Ready-to-grill items such as stuffed pork chops and bacon-wrapped chicken make hosting friends or family for dinner a cinch.

LEEWAY BUTCHER

Grill masters and home cooks visit Leeway Butcher when sourcing locally raised, small farm meats, house-made sausage, and eggs. Customers can watch as the owner cuts meat tailored to their order. For those who’d rather someone else cook for them, to-go deli sandwiches and soup are available by the cup, bowl, or quart.

SWEET TREATS

SQUISHINGTON’S CANDY

Owner Jhami Guffey is Lawrence’s Willie Wonka. At Squishington’s Candy, shoppers can fill a mini basket with packaged candy or scoop-your-own gumballs, Sixlets, or gummies. And they likely stock your nostalgic childhood candies, too. Are you shopping for someone? Employees are pros at creating colorful gift bags and baskets.

THE BEE STORE

Anthony’s Beehive produces honey sourced from approximately 100 hives located in Douglas County. The self-proclaimed King of the Trap’s products are all the buzz. Add a squeeze bottle of pure or flavored creamed honey to your purchase.

OTHER LOCAL GROCERS

THE MERC CO+OP

If it's regionally sourced salsa, soaps, or in-season produce, cruise the aisles at The Merc Co+Op for your grocery shopping needs. The store, founded in 1974, is dedicated to offering “real food and sustainable products at reasonable prices.”

LAWRENCE DOWNTOWN FARMERS’ MARKET

Bring your reusable bag to shop for produce and baked goods at Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market every Saturday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM starting April 13. View a complete list of farmers market events in Lawrence and the surrounding communities.