On May 16, STAG Weekend will take place in addition to Baker University’s Alumni Weekend, bringing many former students back to Baldwin City. STAG, which stands for “Staying Together After Graduation,” offers alumni the opportunity to return to a familiar place and reconnect with their Greek life roots.
The weekend is not just meaningful for alumni. It is one of the most important weekends of the year for local businesses.
As Baker alumni fill local restaurants and bars, businesses around town benefit financially. For establishments like Baldwin City Beer Company, STAG is more than a one-day event. It is a crucial weekend that helps sustain them through the slower summer months.
Owner of Baldwin City Beer Company, Cory Venable, explains that preparation is the key to success. Because STAG is a “drink-heavy” event, he prepares his bar to handle the considerable number of people and ensures that they can meet the consumers’ demands.
The dependence on student-driven establishment is clear once summer begins. With students gone, Baldwin City’s business district experiences noticeable change to revenue. Events like STAG and the Maple Leaf Festival play an important role in ensuring businesses can stay afloat during the slower months.
“Summer starts to slow down a bit. It is a long time to be in your slower season. You need a big weekend,” Venable said. For many local businesses, such events are essential for maintaining profit and attracting new customers.
Local business owners expect an increase in consumer demand this summer. The 2026 World Cup, hosted in Kansas City, is expected to bring more than 650,000 visitors to the area over a 39-day span. While Baldwin City is a 45-minute drive from Kansas City, local organization are hopeful that fans of the event will find their way into Baldwin’s business district.
