Business
Prize Home + Garden Opening Store in Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Steve Rogers is fascinated by “the hunt” for unique and beautiful objects from around the world. A Sprint, now T-Mobile, marketing executive by day, the antique dealer had no training in interior design, but discovered by “happy accident” that people appreciated what he considered was beautiful to his eye and heart. It…
Pop-Ups OnDelaware Debuts Saturday, Event to Highlight Street
Pop-Ups OnDelaware, a new monthly weekend event, debuts Saturday with the goal of attracting shoppers for unique goods to the historic street in the heart of the River Market. “We were looking for ways to bring excitement and a sense of community to the street,” said Estrella Luttrell, an organizer and participant. “We want to…
Native Digital Relocating to Crossroads with 25 Employees
By Kevin Collison Native Digital, a growing marketing firm now based in Midtown, is relocating its 25-employee headquarters to a renovated building in the Crossroads District early this fall. The firm is leasing the upper two floors of the historic Maxwell-Briscoe Garage building at 1612 Grand. The old garage, which opened in 1909, has been…
Couple Relocate Wellness Clinic from Crossroads to Calmer Digs in Union Hill
By Kevin Collison Chris Powell and Jennifer Kieltyka have left the bustle of the Crossroads District and found a quieter place for their acupuncture and wellness clinic by Union Cemetery near Crown Center. “The Crossroads was getting crowded and busy and we saw this building,” Kietyka said. “It’s a not too busy road and not…
From Spanish Flu to Covid-19, Michael’s Finds Cure to Carry On
By Kevin Collison It’s fairly safe to say, Michael’s Fine Clothes for Men is the only downtown retailer to have survived two pandemics, the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 and the current coronavirus crisis. “My grandfather went through it and I guarantee you, he didn’t close,” said Keith Novorr, the third generation of his family…
Shriners, Baptists Cancel Big KC Conventions Because of Covid
By Kevin Collison Two major conventions scheduled to come to downtown Kansas City this summer, the Shriners International and National Baptists, have cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, an estimated $30 million blow to the local economy. During a sobering briefing to the Downtown Council board Thursday, Jason Fulvi, president and CEO of Visit KC,…
KC Barbell Beefs Up Size at New Location Near Crown Center
By Kevin Collison As soon as the city gives the all clear from Covid-19 health restrictions, Jay Ashman and his partners are ready to teach people how to pump iron at their new digs at 2734 McGee Trafficway just south of Crown Center. The new home of Kansas City Barbell is twice the size of…
City Council Narrowly Approves Waddell HQ Design Despite Objections by Neighborhood, City Planners
(Updated: Citing the late Kenny Rogers tune “The Gambler,” Mayor Quinton Lucas cast the deciding vote in a 7-6 City Council decision to approve the design and development plan of the Waddell & Reed headquarters project late Thursday afternoon. With several Council members expressing disapproval of the controversial design during deliberations and seeking to send…
Downtown Marriott Goes Dark, Metro’s Biggest Covid Hospitality Casualty
By Kevin Collison Metro Kansas City’s largest hotel, the 970-room Downtown Marriott, has gone dark until at least May 11 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the biggest local casualty of the collapse in the national hospitality industry caused by the virus. The 22-story hotel, known for the vivid LED lighting displays splashed across its broad…
MEDiAHEAD! Switches to Fun-Time Production During Covid Crisis
By Kevin Collison Being stuck at home with kids looking for something fun to do during the Covid-19 crisis can try the patience of any parent. Worrying about keeping your print shop workers busy and employed during the current economic slowdown caused by the virus is exasperating too. Kathryn “Kat” McDaniel, president of MEDiAHEAD!, has…