The Gazette Collective Preserves a Historic Building While Creating Mixed-Use Space

The historic Emporia Gazette building is preparing to reopen its doors, only this time it will welcome people in as the Gazette Collective, a modern mixed-use space. Rick and Colleen Mitchell of Mitchell-Markowitz Construction purchased the building in 2022 and have worked to preserve its charm while breathing new life into its various spaces.  

“The building has great history and good bones,” says Rick Mitchell. “It was built in 1900 by William Allen White and has always been home to the Emporia Gazette newspaper. We intend to embrace that history, but also give it a new sense of purpose with modern use.”

William Lindsay White, the late son of William Allen White, once said, “A building without purpose dies.” The Mitchells believe this is true, which is why they worked closely with the city to understand the community’s needs and the opportunities that come with developing such a centrally-located space.

Later this year, the Gazette Collective will open its doors to the public and offer two new dining concepts, add a few units to Emporia’s housing inventory, and provide meeting and art spaces for the community. Discover why this is such an exciting project for the city. 

The Mitchells Brought in a Team of Experts for the Project

While the building’s renovation is a Mitchell-Markowitz project, the couple knew they needed a skilled team to handle all aspects of creating a multi-use space. They developed the Gazette Collective, with experts contributing to the architecture, historic preservation, interior design, restaurant development, marketing, and other aspects to bring their vision to life.

“We are brutally honest with each other and respect the expertise of each person on the team,” says Colleen. “We all have ownership in the project and are focused on the different aspects required to make it a success.” 

Several incentive programs at the city and state levels are designed to encourage investment in historic properties and community revitalization. The Gazette Collective was awarded a Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant through Emporia Main Street and the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, as well as a Community Development Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The project also qualifies for State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, the  Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID), and Industrial Revenue Bonds.

“Without programs like these, restoring historic buildings would be incredibly difficult,” said Rick Mitchell. “They help bridge the gap between the real cost of bringing a building like this back to life and the long-term value it brings to the community—supporting downtown revitalization, new housing, and continued investment in Emporia’s historic core.”

The Gazette Building Will Attract Visitors While Supporting Locals

The Mitchells emphasize that the Gazette Collective brings together a mix of uses not typically found under the same roof in Emporia, offering long-term residences, short-term rentals, two dining concepts, and an art studio within one revitalized space.

The Gazette Collective will feature two distinct dining experiences: The Lindsay, a refined dining restaurant offering a chef-driven menu centered on hyper-local, seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully curated spirits, and Plainspoken All Day Kitchen, a casual, welcoming space rooted in scratch-made, locally sourced food.

The concepts were developed in collaboration with the Mitchells and local restaurateurs Amanda Hague and Ben Hayes, whose experience includes Union Street Social and other regional ventures. Together, the team brings a shared vision for thoughtful, approachable dining, with Amanda and Ben leading culinary development and day-to-day operations.

“We’re ready for Emporia to be a destination,” says Colleen. “There’s already so much happening here—we just want to be part of that momentum by offering great food, a comfortable place to stay, and space for people to connect.”

The art studio on the lower level will support an artist-in-residence program. “We intentionally designed one of the Retreats to accommodate the artists with direct access to the studio,” says Colleen. “By pairing quality lodging with a dedicated workspace, we can create a really compelling opportunity for artists. We’re excited to partner with the University and other organizations to expand what’s available here and bring in artists who can share their work and create meaningful learning experiences for the community.”

The Mitchells Recently Received the Lifetime Achievement Award 

Rick and Colleen Mitchell were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce at its February 2026 annual meeting, recognizing both their leadership in revitalizing the Gazette Building and their decades of contributions to Emporia.

Founded in 1982 by Rick Mitchell and Dave Markowitz, Mitchell-Markowitz Construction has grown from a residential builder into a leader in commercial and historic preservation projects, including the Emporia Arts Center, Kenyon Heights, Pioneer Bluffs, and the Lyon County History Museum. Today, the next generation (Blake, Ashley, and Allie) has stepped into leadership roles, continuing the company’s commitment to building both quality projects and community.

“It’s been a team effort from the beginning,” said Rick Mitchell. “From Dave and Jane to Colleen and the incredible people we’ve worked alongside, we’ve been fortunate to be part of projects that matter. In recent years, that’s meant helping preserve places that tell the story of Emporia, and finding new ways to keep those spaces active and relevant for the future.”

Both of the Mitchells credit the Emporia community, its Midwestern spirit, and the “small but big” opportunities in the region for keeping them here and inspiring their work. While the recognition is meaningful, the Mitchells say they have no plans to slow down. “Emporia is home,” added Colleen. “It’s been a wonderful place to raise a family, build our careers, and continue dreaming about what’s next.”

Learn More About Life in Emporia

Emporia, Kansas, is preparing to be a destination in the state and the greater Midwest. It already attracts visitors for various events throughout the year, but its infrastructure investments are making it easier to support more people than ever. Learn more about the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott that offers both hotel rooms and conferencing, and see why Emporia is so easy to get to.

If you’re ready to bring your event or business to Emporia, contact the Regional Development Association (RDA). We can help you turn your vision into a reality and grow in this part of Kansas. Reach out today.