Current Issues in Journalism

Mass Street at Closing
LAWRENCE- If you stand on the corner of 9th and Mass around 6 am, you can catch a glimpse of Mike Amyx opening his barbershop for the day.

Amyx, a professed morning person, opens his shop for all of the men, local and passing through, who need a cut before work.

"I think it adds a lot to downtown, and I get the opportunity, I think, to open it up. I just like being here early," said Amyx.

Mass Street is the social center of the City of Lawrence. On a Friday or Saturday night, the streets are crowded with people going to restaurants, bars and clubs.

The Pita Pit is one of the Mass Street restaurants that stay open late. According to Pita Pit employee, Lorrin McElroy, the Friday and Saturday night crowds surpass the lunch crowd on any given day.

"The line is typically out the front door. It's all college students that come in after the bars close," said McElroy.

Once places like Pita Pit and Jimmy John’s close at about 3am, people can head over to Java Break for a late night snack or coffee. Java Break is the only 24 hour a day establishment, and they too see a rush of people that come in the 2am hour.

When it looks as if Mass Street is finally going to slow down for the night, Amyx opens his barbershop.

What happens on Mass Street at closing?

Well, it never really closes.