Mary Jane Burgers and Brew celebrates 10th anniversary with Renaissance Fair

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KBSI) – Kelci Dees has worked at Mary Jane Burgers and Brew in Perryville for just over a year, but she said it’s just like: “Family. I’m not from Perryville, so this gave me a home. That’s the biggest thing.” 

And she says owner Carisa Stark calls this family… 

“The island of misfit toys. We’re all completely different people but we fit in so well in this place.” 

Dees played a crucial role in organizing the establishment’s Renaissance Fair on Sunday, which she said was a passion project of hers. 

“I have such a love for Mary Jane and then a love for Renaissance Fairs, so it’s like the little baby that I wish I could have had, and it happened, and it turned out perfectly, better than I could have imagined,” she said. “It’s nice to see our hard work pay off and see these community members come together and enjoy what we’ve been able to bring.” 

Stark described her favorite part of today’s celebration.  

“I just love visiting with everybody and finding out where they come from and what memories they have about coming to Mary Jane over the years and what celebrations they’ve had, so really just interacting with the guests,” she said.

And of course, Sunday is also a celebration of Grandma Mary Jane. 

“My grandma Mary Jane has always been very special to me. She’s a very strong, positive woman, fiercely independent, so it’s great to have her here celebrating with us,” Stark said. “This is all about her as well, the culture, the vision, everything that we do. It’s all about family and friends.”