The Burger Stand: Great Food, New Location
Author: ERIC SMITH
Photo by JOHN BURNS
The Burger Stand, which is directly across from Madison Avenue Boutique on the terrace, opened at the beginning of May after serving Topekans for nearly 10 years in College Hill. General Manager Joanna Becker said while she has nostalgia for the old location and it was difficult to leave, there are so many benefits to being at Brookwood.
“We found a space here at Brookwood that just seemed to flow really nicely,” Becker said. “We had really good rapport with the landlord, the Robb Company, who has been really gracious to us. Having the support of the other local businesses that are in the strip has just been really important too. We love working with them.”
Siblings Brady Robb and Becky Dickinson are co-owners of the Robb Company, and the family has been involved with ownership of Brookwood since the beginning in 1959.
“We’re just doing the best we can to make (Brookwood) a pleasant and safe experience, ”Dickinson said. “We’re always looking for new businesses to complete the mix of retail and dining options at the center, and [Burger Stand and Madison Avenue Boutique] were just a good fit.
”Brookwood began as a single building that sat on the corner of SW 29th and Oakley and was owned by Ron Robb, Ed Love and Bob Taggart. Over the years, the center expanded to what it is today. Becker said the spot where the Burger Stand is now was originally four different shops that merged into one.
“It’s been really neat to hear all those stories from different customers about, ‘Oh, my mom ran this meat and cheese shop here,’” Becker said. “And ‘Oh, this was a shoe store before Boss Hawg’s was there.’”
Today, more than two dozen businesses call the shopping center home.
“While we were looking around for a new location, we knew the history of the space, and it was a really treasured place in Topeka. I think a lot of people have been there and are familiar with the location,” said Becker, referencing the past restaurants that came before Burger Stand with Boss Hawg’s BBQ and 4 Guys.
“And then in our daily viewings, and conversations with the Robb Company, we just felt really listened to and heard by them. They were really willing and excited to get us in here. I think we work really well together.”
In the Burger Stand’s first week being open in Brookwood, the patronage by loyal customers was so strong that the restaurant ran out of food.
“It was such a great surprise,” Becker said. “We felt so loved and people were so excited to get in there and welcome us back.”
To pay ode to the past businesses that came before Burger Stand, the restaurant added a new burger, called the Brookwood. It’s a beef patty, brisket, house-made Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, cheese and white onions. Becker said while the service and food is very much the same from the location at College Hill, the theme for the new location is a little different with a lot of brighter colors and a retro, eclectic feel that is also more comfortable and warmer than the College Hill spot.
A major point of emphasis for the Burger Stand, Becker said, is using local, high-end products, knowing where their ingredients come from, and striving to stay involved in the community.
“We often see the other business owners in our restaurant, and we try to buy local from them before we go to other stores. They’ve been so helpful, so supportive,” Becker said. “They come in for food, and they tell us how good it was. It’s amazing to be a part of the community that we have here.”
As the summer continues, the Burger Stand has picked up its events—trivia, tap takeovers, live music—and they also have plans to do a 10-yearcelebration party this year and show appreciation for its customers.
Brookwood has also started a new monthly event called “Final Fridays,” switching from the “First Friday” theme it had been doing. The last Friday of every month, the center is hosting an event for families to attend. September will feature tailgating and the final Friday of October will be Boo Fest, an annual Halloween tradition at Brookwood.
“When you’re coming to Brookwood, you’re really supporting local families and local businesses,” Becker said. “And I think that’s a really big deal. Especially nowadays when local businesses are really struggling to keep afloat. We’ve been really impressed with our time with Brookwood, and we’re really looking forward to the things to come.”
