More than two pages of Kansas! magazine’s 70th anniversary edition feature Hays’ Chestnut Street District, its businesses and Historic Fort Hays.

Hays’ Chestnut Street District, recently renamed The Bricks,” is prominently featured in the article naming Hays as “one of Kansas’ favorite frontier towns.” From the Hays feature article to Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co.’s inclusion in the Kansas Bucket List, the Chestnut Street District continues to gain awareness as a destination worthy of a full day’s exploration according to Kansas! magazine writer, Katy Schamberger.

Downtown businesses featured in “Day 1” of the article include, The Paisley Pear Café, Be Made, C.S. Post & Co., Em ‘n Me Antiques, Soda Shoppe Café, Chestnut Street Kitchens and restaurants, Sake 2 Me Sushi Rolls, and Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. “Day 2” of the feature is dedicated to Historic Fort Hays.

The Winter 2015 and anniversary edition of Kansas! magazine also includes a bucket list of 70 places and events to experience in Kansas. Out of more than 300 submissions, editors chose 70 to commemorate their anniversary. Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., located at 117 E. 11th in the Chestnut Street District, was selected and touted as possibly being the state’s best-kept secret.

The Chestnut Street District is the center of the Hays community and follows the original footprint of Chestnut Street prior to 1929, when it was renamed to Main Street. The writer details the location of the three gateway markers memorializing the district. Located at the corners of Eighth and Fort, Eighth and Oak, and Seventeenth and Main, each marker was designed and built by Hays artist, Pete Felten.

Schamberger quoted Hays resident Andy Stanton, in saying, “Downtown Hays is really a jewel in our community.”