“Being cooped up, limited, frustrated, depressed, and feeling beaten, our town is doing what the Midwest does best, rolling up our sleeves and fighting back against all odds,” said Ryan Fairchild, resident and new business owner in Great Bend, Kansas.
He says it’s exactly the proud stubbornness Midwesterners are famous for that is generating amazing results for his small city.
“Covid created a bottle of want and realization; people are ready to do things and get things done,” he explained.
Great Bend has a lot to work with. Its traditional Midwestern square, centered around the courthouse, features a historic theater, a plethora of coffee and foodie spots, a music shop, a busy farmer’s market, and a regularly used bandshell.
Fairchild’s new venture, Dry Lake Brewing, is one of the most recent additions to the downtown area. Citing a lack of any…
