Guide: Downtown Liberty
Historic Downtown Liberty has it all! Shopping, eating, drinking, and history.
Etch Life. All photos by Hannah Berry
With plenty to do, Historic Downtown Liberty is the perfect place to spend your Saturday, so head out and get ready to explore! First up: when it comes to shopping, there are a wide range of choices!
Textured Decor.
Etch Life, located next door to Ginger Sue’s just off the Square, is a gift shop and Christian lifestyle brand that carries clothing, home decor, candles, and miscellaneous giftable items. I love looking around in this store because everything is so positive and uplifting.
On the same street is Textured Decor, which carries many unique items for the home, including decor, kitchen and dining goods, and furniture. Admittedly, it’s hard to leave their store without a purchase in hand.
Catfish & Tater, located directly on the Square, is a ladies boutique with trendy clothes and cute accessories. They have 2 levels, which means lots of fun things to explore. And one of the best parts is that this boutique is actually affordable!
Bittersweet Apothecary.
Located just off the Square is Bittersweet Apothecary. They specialize in hand-made soaps and skin care items, but they also carry ladies clothing and accessories, home decor, and bath goods. While you’re there, be sure to check out their fragrance department where you can create your own signature perfume, body spray, or moisturizer.
Petals & Potpourri is a home goods store that has been in business for over 40 years. They are located on the Square and in the same building as the beautiful event space Restoration 1894. They also have a location in Blue Springs. They carry everything from candles and seasonal home decor to garden flags and floral arrangements. Take your time perusing the items. You just might find something you can’t live without.
Bittersweet Apothecary.
D’Agee & Co Florist, also on the Square, has a great assortment of fresh flowers and arrangements, as you might expect. But they also stock candles and seasonal home decor items. It can get a bit cramped in the store on a busy day, but it’s well worth the stop.
Other stores of interest include Freckled Lamb, which carries ladies apparel and accessories; Mama and Me Children’s Boutique; Bratcher Cooperage, with a large selection of handmade crafts, gifts, cutting boards, wood buckets, and wooden utensils; and Main Street Goods & Goodies, where you can find vintage and antique items, home decor, local honey and jam, bottled soda pop, and retro candy.
Jousting Pigs BBQ.
If you get hungry from all the shopping, there are several great options for a meal.
Ginger Sue’s has one of the best breakfasts around! I especially love their pancakes and breakfast scrambles. They also have a great lunch menu. Be prepared to wait a while if you go on the weekend. They are a popular place for brunch. You can also visit them in Olathe and Lee’s Summit.
For lunch or dinner, my husband and I love Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. They have an excellent lunch special, which is good every day of the week. They also have really great bread. It’s not your typical Italian bread, but is more like a roll. And it’s absolutely delicious! I dream about that bread. Besides food, Luigi’s also has a small wine bar.
Another solid choice is Jousting Pigs BBQ, which shares a roof with 3Halves Brewing. Their smash burgers are an excellent choice, as are their baked beans.
Additional places to try include Catch 22 Sports Bar and Grill, Huey’s on the Square (breakfast only), and Sorella’s Deli (lunch only).
Pie Time.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, stop by Pie Time for a slice, a mini pie, or a whole pie. Or you could try one of their other goodies, like cookies, cake, or muffins. They even have quiche and pot pie from time to time. I’m not usually a big fan of pie crust, but theirs is perfect. Flaky, buttery, and oh so tasty. If chocolate is more your thing, head over to Classy Chocolate where they have everything from peanut clusters and haystacks to chocolate covered strawberries and grapes. You will definitely find something to tantalize your taste buds.
If you need to wet your whistle, try 3Halves Brewing Co. They have several good choices of beers, including a stout called Stick ‘Em Up!, which is named in honor of the bank robbery allegedly committed by the Jesse James Gang, that took place right there in Liberty.
There is also Anna Marie’s Teas, which sells black, white, green, oolong, rooibos, herbal and organic teas, as well as teaware and gifts. Pour yourself a cup of tea while you browse and chat with the owner. Recently, they partnered with 3Halves Brewing on an iced tea ale called Sunkissed. Only available for a limited time.
For a little history lesson while you are in town, set aside an hour or so to visit the Clay County Museum, which houses many artifacts from the 1800s to 1900s. Admission is free.
And before you leave Historic Downtown Liberty, be sure to get your picture taken with the wings mural located by Anna Marie’s. Because who doesn’t love a fun selfie?
