Salina Shopping

Like many other towns in Kansas, there is a large Mexican community and this seemed to be one of the larger stores catering for their needs.

This picture is of a sign nearby, nothing to do with 'la tienda' but I thought it was cool and helps give a flavor of the area. Across the street from the cantina was a former motel turned into private apartments which must be a flea-bitten flophouse because it’s called Uptown.

When I came through Salina I noticed the Christian Supply Store had gone out of business. In Lawrence, it would be from a lack of demand but here I suppose it was because they ran out of stock. The downtown certainly is a more interesting part of town than the stripmalls that line the highways.

I saw one strip with a Priscillas sex shop, beauty supply store and Sherwin-Williams paint store sharing the same parking lot. I can hear the local housewives now: ‘I’m gonna buy a gallon of undercoat and some edible panties before I git mah hair dun.’

What to buy: Food, music, pinatas, crafts, religious statues, all sorts!

Did you know Kansas used to be the nation's biggest producer of wine? Prohibition shut the wineries down, but vinyards have been sprouting up again to take advantage of the state's rich soil and fierce sunshine.

Drive up their lane through some vines to the winery, which has a lovely deck where they host tutored tastings and gala meals. Their website has a listing of events.

The shop is small but well stocked and offers free tastings. Tours available on request.

What to buy: This small vinyard manages to produce over two dozen varieties of wine! Shops around the state stock their wares, but you'll find dedicated outlets further down I-70 in Wilson and also in Wichita (see website for details).

What to pay: I bought two bottles of white wine for 14 dollars, a Chablis and an Italian-style Luca di Bianco, and must say this was the best Kansas wine I've had so far!