Business
New 520 Penn Office Project Attracts Younger Workers to Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Crossroads latest office project, 520 Penn, is attracting employers who believe their workers value the kind of diverse, vibrant environment offered by being downtown. The $15 million renovation of the historic McQueeny-Lock building was completed in July and is now home to 150 employees working at three firms: Centric Projects, Superior…
Downtown Retail Survivor Bob Jones Shoes ‘Retiring’ After Almost 60 Years
By Kevin Collison The irony of Bob Jones Shoes making it through the tough times only to close now that downtown Kansas City is back on its feet isn’t lost on Rocky Horowitz. “We seen downtown go from bad to good to really good,” he said. “Once the Sprint Center opened and things got all…
Developer Plans to Convert Former Auto Row Building on McGee Into Offices
By Kevin Collison A developer is planning to convert one of the East Crossroads buildings along McGee Street that comprise the historic auto row district into an office building. Andrew Brain of Brain Group development plans invest up to $12 million to covert the 100 year-old building at 1824-32 McGee into office space. “We have…
Latest Grinders Break-in Alarms East Crossroads Community
By Kevin Collison STRETCH is ticked after yet another break-in at his iconic East Crossroads food joint, Grinders Pizza. “This is the 11th time Grinder’s has been broken into,” the sculptor, restauranteur and impresario said of his place that opened in 2004. “It’s frustrating. They’ve never caught anybody.” This time, he wasn’t alone when someone…
The Art of Weightlifting Arriving in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Jay Ashman is a Philly-born weightlifter with the heart of an artist and he’s bringing that unique blend to a neighborhood he feels right at home, the East Crossroads. Next month, Ashman plans to open Kansas City Barbell at 1714 Holmes St. He intends to teach people how to increase their strength…
Omaha-Based Hutch Furniture Coming to East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Hutch furniture, the creation of two Omaha guys who’s idea of a fun outing was hitting estate sales, is opening a new store at 504 E. 18th St. in the East Crossroads. “Brad and I started collecting vintage furniture five years ago as a hobby and a 1960s Stanley hutch was our…
Downtown CVS Store Closed Temporarily for Remodeling
The CVS store at 921 Main, downtown’s only full-service pharmacy, has closed for a major remodeling project and expects to reopen about mid-June. The overhaul is part of the $139 million redevelopment of the historic Commerce Tower at 911 Main. The 30-story former office tower was converted into 355 apartments last year. The CVS is…
Restored Historic Savoy Hotel and Restaurant Debuts This August
By Kevin Collison The historic Savoy Hotel, a downtown landmark since 1888, is scheduled to reopen in early August following an extensive renovation by Louisville-based 21c Museum Hotels. The $47.5 million redevelopment project, more than five years in the making, is scheduled to begin accepting guests in its 120 rooms on Aug. 5. The famed…
The Roasterie Brews a 25th Anniversary Celebration
By Kevin Collison Getting together with The Roasterie founder Danny O’Neill to discuss the 25th anniversary of his business on Southwest Boulevard is, not surprisingly, a highly-caffeinated encounter. The lanky, charismatic owner frequently jumps up from his seat with excitement as he explains what he’s created since he began roasting beans in his home’s basement…
McCownGordon Celebrates Start of Downtown Headquarters Project
By Kevin Collison McCownGordon Construction celebrated the start of a $10.5 million renovation project that will convert a three-story building at 850 Main St. into its new headquarters Wednesday. “We wanted a home right in the heart of downtown Kansas City that would position our firm for the next 20 years,” CEO Ramin Cherafat told…