Weavers is a locally owned full-line department store in Downtown Lawrence, KS. The store has been in Lawrence since 1857.
Weavers was opened at 723 Mass Street in 1857 by Lathrop Bullene. It originally sold groceries, tools, clothes and other staples under the name of Bullene’s. In 1886 the store was renamed to Weaver’s and is what it remains to be today.
It has moved many times throughout the years. It is now located at 901 Mass Street. Weaver’s took over this location in 1929. This was the perfect location for them but the worst timing as Wall Street crashed shortly after. They were able to make it through the Great Depression and even World War 2 but then big chain stores started to be a new challenge.
Independent department stores started to adopt other strategies to compete with these chains but for the industry it was hard. Between 1929 and 1954 it went from 2,166 independent department stores to just 905 nationwide.
In 1962 Weaver wanted to retire. His Friend Larry Flannery, Jack Echles and a group of investors formed a corporation to by the business. The corporation known as Weaver’s Inc is still the owner of the store and has a four-member board of directors. The company is a privately held company so they do not disclose their sales figures. Joe Flannery, the current president, is positive about the performance though.
Weavers has long been the backdrop of life of Downtown Lawrence. It remains a true department store while others have come and gone. Today it has department including men’s and women’s clothing, intimate apparel, shoes, luggage, linens, gifts and gourmet housewares in its 4 floors and 20,000 square feet of space.
Every year Santa is stationed at Weavers for pictures and receiving kids wish list. He arrives by landing on the roof for all to see.
While many large chain department stores are struggling to survive at this time Weaver’s is still standing strong due to their dedication to the community and their customers.
The brands you want.
The price you need.
And the service we all deserve.
Weavers
901 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
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