News Stories

Nick Bianco and Jay Norris, KC Custom Hardwoods

Trees might fall, but this duo’s salvaged, custom hardwood pieces are crafted to stand the test of time

Jay Norris and Nick Bianco witnessed an unexpected sight when dropping off debris from the remodel of their KCK warehouse — a discovery that would add new rings of life to their budding custom hardwoods business. “We see a bulldozer pushing trees into the dump, and we were like, ‘What the heck is going on over…

The Field of Legends Puzzle Set, pictured at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

New bobblehead set replicates one of KC’s most iconic museum experiences for Black History Month

A new collection of bobbleheads is calling attention to the impact made by legends of the Negro Leagues — and offering fans and local enthusiasts the opportunity to recreate a Kansas City historical attraction at home. “These are the first bobbleheads to replicate the iconic Field of Legends,” explained Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the…

AltCap team at the 2021 AltCap Your Biz competition during GEW KC

Kauffman grants $5.3M to AltCap to help those overlooked by lenders access capital

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A significant new grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to help AltCap support the capitalization and administration of a fund that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs in distressed areas of Kansas City and for those whose credit applications…

Isaac Collins, Yogurtini

Building a business is a lonely journey, says serial risk-taker; but access to resources can grow Black community, generational wealth

Editor’s note: SCORE is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Forget the fluff, said Isaac Collins. Kansas City’s SCORE Community Strategic Alliance (SCSA) is planning a KC Business Ecosystem for Black Entrepreneurs webinar that will leave attendees with constructive teachings that they can bring into today,…

The facade of the historic Eblon Theater at 1822 Vine St. would be saved and incorporated into a $23 million redevelopment proposal approved by the City Council.

City says ‘long overdue’ 18th & Vine plan isn’t a facade for gentrification; effort would bring retail, apartments to blighted district

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by CityScene KC, an online news source focused on Greater Downtown Kansas City. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for the weekly CityScene KC email review. ‘The city’s blighted and dangerous buildings have been choking the life out of the district for decades,’ business owner…