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Celebrating the 
flavors of Kansas

PlainSpoken is part of something bigger.

When Rick and Colleen Mitchell began redeveloping the historic Gazette Building, they envisioned more than preserving a landmark. They wanted to find ways to bring life, energy, and community back into the building. The Gazette Collective grew from that idea.

That vision found a natural fit when Chef Amanda Hague and Ben Hayes brought their idea for an all-day kitchen to the table—scratch-made food, genuine hospitality, and a place where people want to stay awhile. Named with a nod to William Allen White, PlainSpoken felt like exactly what the building needed.

The Hague/Hayes team previously brought you Union Street Social, the traveling delights of the Surly Mermaid Food Truck, and the original Ad Astra Food & Drink. You might even remember their very first pre-internet joint, Eat Your Vegetables Cafe.

PlainSpoken is the next chapter in their story. Spoken plainly, it's all about damn good food. Because that's what people want.

We can't wait to welcome you.

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PlainSpoken Team

Photo by: Dan Hughes

The Mitchells

Photo by: Jason Dailey

PlainSpoken

History Reimagined

Emporia, Kansas is full of stories. Ours comes to you from within the Gazette Collective, a group of dynamic spaces that bring people together under one roof.

LIFE Gazette Building Front of Building

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Visit

Hours coming soon 

We can't wait

At the Gazette Collective:

517 Merchant Street

Emporia, KS 66801

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© 2026 by PlainSpoken

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