People of the Public Market: Katy & Ric
Published on June 04, 2026
For Katy and Ric, who have been married for 32 years, weekends at the Public Market are dedicated time together.
“I love this time with us, because a lot of times at home, he does his thing, I have housework, or whatever it might be,” Katy said. “On Saturday and Sunday, this is kind of our time and it's really become a bond for us in the last couple years being able to do this every weekend.”
The couple moved to Lenexa in 1999 from Greenville, South Carolina, for what was supposed to be a six-month job assignment. That temporary opportunity turned into a career move — and ultimately a place to call home.
“I think it still has a small town feel even though it has expanded a lot since 1999,” Katy said.
Katy and Ric first met in Danville, Illinois, through a mutual friend while attending a local community college. Their first date was unremarkable, but years later they reconnected at a better time in life. Together, they’ve lived in three different states and built a life centered on community.
“Once our son was born, she [Katy] was adamant that she was not going to move him around so that became a priority,” Ric said.
Nearly two decades later, Lenexa remains home. While they don’t have extended family nearby, they’ve built a strong sense of community, connection and belonging. They live just a half-mile from the Public Market and both work for local companies in Lenexa.
On weekday mornings, Katy can often be found working out at the Lenexa Rec Center.
“We don’t have family here that's why I want to be a part of this community because I've made relationships at my gym — my gym guys,” she said. “We have three older guys that we do our weights and then Gail and I walk. They say they’re my ‘old uncles’. There are 69, 75 and 80 years old.”
The couple first discovered the Public Market while shopping at the seasonal outdoor Lenexa Farmers Market.
“Being from Boston, there are a lot of public areas where there’s just tiny eat spots and everybody comes there for lunch, so I was familiar with the concept and thought, ‘all right, the city has invested in this, let’s see what it’s about,’” Ric said.
Today, the Lenexa civic campus is woven into their routine. Whether they’re stocking up on meat pies from Farmers Market vendor Brit Boy Street Food, browsing the art gallery at City Hall, grabbing a favorite drink from Mr. D’s Coffee, exercising at the Rec Center or enjoying live music during Friday Night Sound Bites, the campus serves as a gathering place that keeps them connected to the community they love.
Their Public Market picks:
Building community and connecting with the people who make the Public Market so special is at the heart of what we do. Our People of the Public Market series highlight these stories, offering a small but meaningful glimpse into the lives of our customers.