Food & Drink
Historic Ozark Building at Ninth and Grand Slated for Hotel…Eventually
By Kevin Collison A Little Rock hotel developer has bought the historic Ozark building at Ninth and Grand and plans to ultimately redevelop it as a 240-room AC Hotels by Marriott at some point in the post-pandemic future. Beechwood Pinnacle Hotels purchased the buildings at 906-910 Grand and a nearby parking lot at 710 Walnut…
Cliff’s Taphouse Taking Former Ollie’s Space at Martini Corner
By Kevin Collison Larry Kime is bullish about Martini Corner and the growing nearby neighborhoods, making him excited about the prospects for his new restaurant and bar opening in the former Ollie’s Local space. “Driving through Union Hill and Beacon Hill, it blew me away the amount of upper-end houses, townhouses and apartments, and the…
KC Carryout Challenge Serves Help to Restaurants During Pandemic
Hungry to help the more than 300 restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other purveyors of food and drink in greater downtown? The Downtown Council has launched a three-month campaign beginning today called the KC Carryout Challenge that’s hoping to spur more business for the Covid-threatened industry. “After the holidays, it’s always a tough time for…
St. Joe Brewer Opening Pub in River Market
By Kevin Collison River Bluff Brewing, a St. Joseph microbrewery, is opening a location in the River Market in the historic City Water Department building this spring at 201 Second St. “Kansas City has such a great beer scene,” said Chris Lanman, founder of River Bluff. “There are so many great brewers and we always…
Starving for Business, Downtown Marriott Savors Success with ‘Ghost Kitchen’
By Kevin Collison Starved for hotel guests because of the pandemic, the Downtown Marriott is pivoting to feeding the appetites of nearby residents and workers by opening a “ghost kitchen” for take-out and delivery. “It’s no secret, 2020 has been hard on the hospitality industry and convention hotels,” said Dustin Holcumbrink, director of sales and…
Fountain City Winery Opening Soon in West Bottoms
By Kevin Collison The West Bottoms is about to welcome another winery to the eclectic blend of businesses that have found a home in the old industrial district of downtown. Jay and Melissa Pietkiewicz hope to open Fountain City Winery by Christmas at 1409 W. 11th St. The couple met while working in the wine industry…
Border Brewing Relocating to Bigger Crossroads Digs This Spring
By Kevin Collison Border Brewing, the pioneering brewer that launched the East Crossroads craft beer scene in 2015, is relocating to a new space this spring more than double the size of its current digs at 406 E. 18th St. Proprietor Eric Martens said his decision to lease a 3,200 square-foot building a block away…
Mercury Room Lifts Downtown Cocktail Scene to New Level
By Kevin Collison The Mercury Room cocktail lounge has opened its glamorous perch atop the new 14-story REVERB apartment building in the Crossroads with sky-high views of downtown and lofty drink prices to match. The latest creation from the team that brought The Monarch at the Plaza and Verdigris in Leawood’s Park Place is a…
Ambassador Hotel Opens 1930s Style Jazz and Supper Club
Kansas City jazz great Lonnie McFadden has opened a club beneath the Ambassador Hotel that includes an option for patrons to enjoy a three-course meal and listen to the show during the early evening sessions. The new Lonnie’s Reno Club opened earlier this month at the Ambassador at 1111 Grand. The name comes from the…
One Less Egg in Downtown’s Breakfast Basket, Denny’s Closes
(Editor’s note: After this article was posted, breakfast lovers responded via social media about other downtown options including the Town Topic, Spokes Café|Cyclery, Banksia, the Opera House and hotel restaurants.) By Kevin Collison The Denny’s restaurant at 16th and Broadway has closed, leaving a breakfast-starved downtown with fewer options, but clearing the table for a…