Topeka welcomes new business to downtown

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped new businesses from popping up in downtown Topeka.

This past week, two businesses — a retail boutique on Kansas Avenue and a bar and entertainment spot on 6th Street — held grand openings, as their owners invited potential patrons to explore the new spaces.

Those businesses are Ash Boutique, owned by Ashley Dassinger-Carson, and Axe & Ale, which is co-owned by Lewis Spring, Brady Hight, Tom Cox and John DeLeye.

“It’s wonderful to see new growth take place in downtown Topeka, especially during these challenging times,” said Vince Frye, president of Downtown Topeka, Inc. “Both Ash Boutique and the Axe and Ale are fantastic additions to the downtown business community.”

According to its Facebook page, Ash Boutique is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Axe & Ale’s operating hours are from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 4-10 p.m. Thursdays, 3-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays.