News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Opening Up About Coming Out
It has been more than two decades since Darrel Brenneke broke the news to his mother that he was gay, but the memory still brings him to tears. He knew his mom would worry that this was a death sentence, since it had not been that long since his brother had died of AIDS. But…
Plexpod Opening Second Downtown Co-Working Space in River Market
Plexpod is opening a co-working space at 512 Delaware in the River Market large enough to accommodate 80 people, bringing office use to a section of the historic street where several bars and restaurants have opened recently. “We need bodies working too,” said Craig Slawson, the Denver developer who owns the building where Plexpod will…
New Hotel Indigo Lifts Lasting Toast to Pioneering Crossroads Artist
By Kevin Collison Jim Leedy, the renowned artist who pioneered the Crossroads Arts District in 1985, knows what he wants when someone decides to name a hotel bar after him. “If I have a bar named after me, I should get free drinks,” Leedy quipped at the festive grand opening last week of the Hotel…
Hy-Vee Arena Opens, Bringing New Bounce to Bottoms
By Kevin Collison The Hy-Vee Arena formally opened last week in the West Bottoms at a ceremony where developer Steve Foutch was saluted for his vision and perseverance in reviving what had become a costly white elephant for the city, the former Kemper Arena. “Six years ago, he approached us with the idea of a…
The Rise and Fall of an Overland Park Icon
Metcalf Avenue is certainly not the Champs-Élysées, but at one time, a French-themed market loomed large — like a medieval castle — above Overland Park’s main drag. This superstore, in fact, was named the French Market, and curiousKC delved into the history of the place at the behest of Quentin Brewer, a Mission, Kansas, resident…
Parlor Food Hall Finds Recipe for Success in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Parlor, the new East Crossroads food hall, has crushed the expectations of its Atlanta-based developer its first couple of weeks of operation, quickly becoming the hip dining spot for thousands. “It blew our minds,” said Davis Engle of Meriwether Companies. “We exceeded our revenue projections in the first week by double. “We…
Jason Kander, President Trump, Patrick Mahomes and … George Smith?
KCPT’s Nick Haines, executive director of public affairs and Week in Review host, picks out the big stories of the week ahead and the interesting stories you may have missed. Kander Quits Mayor’s Race The man some believed was the frontrunner to be Kansas City’s next mayor has pulled out of the race. Former Missouri…
Better Block KC Tames Oak Street in Crossroads
By Kevin Collison A stretch of Oak Street in the Crossroads will be a lot chiller through Oct. 27 thanks to Better Block KC, a “tactical urbanism” design group. Last Sunday, about a dozen volunteers with the group transformed a two-block section of Oak between 17th and 19th streets from what sometimes can be a…
Power & Light District Adding Hotel Karaoke, Expanded No Other Pub
The Kansas City Power & Light District is adding a new karaoke concept to the second floor space in the KC Live! block formerly occupied by the Hotel Night Club. The new Hotel Karaoke is expected to open for private events this December and will have a grand opening in early 2019, according to a…
Crossroads Shapes Up with New Men’s Barber Shop
By Kevin Collison The influx of new businesses and services in the Crossroads now includes a men’s barber shop in the mix. Dane Casey has opened his Venturemen Barbering Shoppe inside the EAST + WEST men’s clothing store at 1828 Grand Blvd. He offers what he describes as “high-quality men’s grooming” that includes haircuts, beard…