Business
World Class Bikes Expanding in West Bottoms
By Kevin Collison Jay Luschen, the owner of World Class Bikes in the West Bottoms, has a global approach to how he rolls whether you’re a hardcore mountain biker, recreational rider or just down on your luck and desperately need a bicycle to get around. “I want to service the whole community,” he said. “I’ll…
8183 Productions Sets Up Sophisticated Shop on Westside
By Kevin Collison Tucked in a quiet corner of the Westside is a nondescript building on Holly Street that houses some of the latest technology and talented staff in the growing downtown production and advertising industry. It’s been a year since 8183 Productions opened in its new space in a former data center building, and…
Historic Mason Building on Grand Could Become $11M Boutique Hotel
By Kevin Collison The historic Mason Building, now an inconspicuous office building wedged along Grand Boulevard, could become a 35-room boutique hotel, bar and restaurant if plans being pursued by a St. Louis developer come to fruition. Metropolitan Build has submitted preliminary inquiries at City Hall to determine whether the old building could become the…
St. Louis Gets First Urban Target, Can KC Be Far Behind?
By Kevin Collison The announcement last week Target plans to open one of its smaller urban stores as part of a midtown St. Louis development has prompted renewed speculation about when the chain plans something similar here. Perhaps as early as next year, according to real estate sources, although exactly where in Kansas City’s “River-Crown-Plaza”…
Conversion of Historic Ozark Building to Hotel Begins at Ninth and Grand
By Kevin Collison Preliminary demolition work has begun on converting the historic Ozark building at Ninth and Grand into a 249-room AC Hotels by Marriott with completion anticipated in about two years. “In terms of historic buildings, I think it’s in exceptional condition,” said Derek Alley, CEO of VCC construction, the contractor doing the project….
Amazon Planning First Metro Retail Store at Country Club Plaza
By Kevin Collison The first Amazon retail outlet in Metro Kansas City is in the works for the Country Club Plaza, according to a permit application filed with the city last week. The online retail giant is planning to locate its store in the corner space formerly occupied by the Tesla car dealership at 450…
Cycle City Rolling Into River Market with Second Location
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on July 6.) By Kevin Collison Cycle City, a popular Parkville bicycle shop for 18 years, plans to open a second location in the River Market this October in the historic Water Building at 201 Main St. Owner Joe Fox…
Three Dog Bakery Adds Treats to Bar K
By Kevin Collison It’s the kind of place any dog would like to spend their day. Three Dog Bakery has opened its fifth location in the Kansas City area in its own space at the Bark K café and dog park, and with all the pups romping around, it’s great for drop-in business. “It’s a…
Made in KC Grows Urban Footprint
By Kevin Collison At a time traditional retail is struggling, Made in KC is bucking the trend with an expansion in the works at its Country Club Plaza outlet, a new downtown café and finally, a chance to serve beer and wine at its streetcar location in the River Market. “I think Kansas City understands…
‘Upcycled’ Container Retail Project Proposed for River Market
By Kevin Collison A Denver developer is proposing to ‘upcycle’ shipping containers and build a commercial marketplace at 400 Delaware, partly healing the streetscape wound created by a bombing in what was then the River Quay in 1977. Craig Slawson of Epoch Developments, who owns multiple properties in the River Market, wants to stack about…