News Stories

KC retailers: Swifties with cash outscored NFL Draft on economic impact for small businesses

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour weekend felt like the perfect night to dress up like hipsters and support Kansas City retailers, local small businesses reported. “We saw crowds of Swifties stop by after brunch, even after breakfast time and shop,” said Rick Nunez, store manager at Westside Storey, a local boutique carrying casual streetwear, accessories, home…

It started as a T-shirt company (now it’s a popular cheesecake destination); meet the nonprofit that helped this Kansas biz pivot

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. WICHITA — Side hustles don’t…

Former office space set to offer affordable downtown workforce housing as historic Midland renovation begins

New life is set to pour into the historic former Midland office building as The Cordish Companies transform the space into 135 studio and one-bedroom apartments. “The Midland Lofts renovation is a major step in the direction of making living downtown more broadly accessible to the downtown workforce, and we believe that the Midland Lofts…

Prepped for Phase 2: How a New Orleans-inspired caterer grew organically into a KC kitchen collective

Food is a way to bring communities together, share cultural traditions and teach individuals about the importance of a healthy, ethically-sourced meal, said Dr. Karen Patrice Boyd.  “My passion is teaching. Yes, I produce great food. But at the end of the day, I can impact the community more in terms of their knowledge and…

Cafe Cà Phê returns to the West Bottoms with second location for KC’s popular Vietnamese coffee shop

A Cafe Cà Phê satellite location inside 12th Street Post in the West Bottoms is the perfect step for continuing the mission of Kansas City’s only Vietnamese coffee shop, shared founder Jackie Nguyen. Just shy of the one year anniversary of its Columbus Park space, Cafe Cà Phê celebrated the grand opening of its new…