News Stories
Iconic KC BBQ spot opening ‘Joe’s Next Door’ in former Taco Republic across the street
A beloved Kansas City barbecue is set to debut a new neighborhood restaurant concept — its first new location in nearly a decade — open every day of the week. The owners of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que plan to launch Joe’s Next Door in May, in the former Taco Republic complex — just across Mission…
Missouri Startup Weekend back with $45,000 in prizes, $600,000 in potential investment
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A flagship event for the state’s startup ecosystem is returning April 17-19 in a bid to help build Missouri’s next billion-dollar company, said Willy Schlacks, noting it’s a proven launch pad for future unicorns. “We still talk about that original Startup Weekend all the time,” said Schlacks, president and co‑founder of EquipmentShare…
Five-alarm to market: Vegan ice cream maker proves her treats can take the heat of competition
Fresh off a 24-hour shift at the fire station, Zoe Mays — founder of Scream Queens — rode a wave of adrenaline to victory at last week’s Food Biz Con pitch competition. Mays — a poet-turned-firefighter/paramedic-turned-entrepreneur — took home $5,000 for her vegan ice cream pop-up business, which she founded in 2024 after her girlfriend…
Chef J planning Northland BBQ experience: His training was Italian, his passion fire
After six years as a mostly weekend only, lunch-to-sellout barbecue operation in the West Bottoms, Chef J BBQ is ready to give the metro its first traditional outdoor smokehouse restaurant. The new North Kansas City venue will feature live fire, offset smokers set up next to a large outdoor patio where customers can get an…
World Cup prep is writing KC’s history today, leaders say; here’s what they hope will be remembered after the games
Twelve years later, Graham Zusi still gets choked up talking about the emotions he felt after the U.S. soccer team triumphed over Ghana in the FIFA World Cup, and he saw scenes of hometown fans celebrating in the Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City. “For Matt Besler and I — two Kansas City…