Latest Stories
‘Younger eyes’ at Street Wearhouse see opportunity to win through the screen as digital personality meets quality printing
The owners of a recently-opened print studio hope to make an imprint on the industry by taking a different approach to garment design and production, they said. Street Wearhouse, co-founded by Alex Trinkle and Tyler Love, specializes in printing and embroidering T-shirts, hats, and other apparel from its North Kansas City production facility. Trinkle, who…
One of KC’s hottest smashburgers is at this all-natural wine bar; how Big Mood uncorked its potential with popup food, live music
Kansas City’s first all natural wine shop has evolved into more than simply a place to buy wine, said Richard Garcia; Big Mood Natural Wines now is the go-to spot for food, drinks, live entertainment and community. “Big Mood has morphed organically over the past few years into what it is now. When we first…
MVP in his field: Royals groundskeeper earns his own bobblehead for keeping The K green amid ups and downs
For the club’s first-ever Ag Night, the Kansas City Royals are celebrating — and bestowing the honor of a bobblehead — on their very own farmer. That’s what Trevor Vance — who has been keeping the field at Kauffman Stadium perfectly manicured for nearly 40 years — considers himself and other groundskeepers, he shared. “We’re…
Right to Start plans GOP debate on entrepreneurship; If America is going to be saved, Heartland innovators will be key, says leader
A nonprofit founded by a former Kauffman Foundation executive is planning a first-of-its-kind forum on entrepreneurship with four Republican presidential candidates this Friday in the Midwest. Right to Start is a nonpartisan organization that champions entrepreneurship as a civic priority through grassroots organizing and policy advocacy, with the goal of expanding entrepreneurial opportunity. Friday’s forum…
Crema treads a new path: Why this award-winning tech company is pivoting to design consultancy
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. George Brooks is co-founder of Crossroads-headquartered Crema, a finalist for the 2023 Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year and one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces in 2023. For nearly 14 years, Crema has been a well-known leader in…
KC’s ‘vacation ice cream parlor’ floats into City Market; scooping two passions into one sweet escape
The connection between two of Lucas Thompson’s businesses — KC Soda Co. and the freshly opened Fountain City Scoops and Floats — provides the perfect opportunity to blend soda and ice cream, he said. “I’m not sure there’s another float place in the region,” Thompson said of the new shop in the City Market. “As…
‘Neon Alley’ turning on 40 historic KC signs at Pennway Point, lighting the way to new entertainment district
The planned Pennway Point entertainment district near the Crossroads and Union Station soon will be awash in the glow of neon history, said Nick Vedros. “What’s more Kansas City than to have all these great signs that were once part of our city’s historical fabric all in one spot?” said Vedros, teasing the future Lumi…
This KC sausage maker serves one of America’s best vegan hot dogs; the PETA-approved menu item wasn’t an afterthought or gimmick, its owners say
Wiener Kitchen has always been a community-driven venture, said Jessica Rush, which includes providing options for all members of the community — meat eater or not. “We started at a farmers’ market, and I felt really strongly about having a vegetarian and vegan option. A lot of people go to the farmers’ market because they…
Don’t sleep on ‘Barbie’, KC theater owner warns as Barbenheimer blockbuster arrives
‘Barbenheimer’ could bring best movie-going weekend in nearly a decade; How KC theaters are getting dolled up for the blockbuster Local theaters are expecting a blockbuster weekend, thanks to a highly anticipated and unlikely double feature opening Thursday. Dubbed “Barbenheimer,” the high-profile films “Barbie” — a fictionalized focus on the doll-turned-fashion icon — and “Oppenheimer”…
ScaleUP! KC touts revenue success stories as latest small biz cohort opens applications
Growth outcomes don’t always follow entrepreneurs’ graduation from ScaleUP! KC — sometimes they come before the game-changing, no-cost program is even complete, its leaders said. Rickey Leathers made significant strides in his business, Savvy Salon — co-owned with his wife, Lenora — while enrolled in the cohort, he said. “I successfully opened a second location…
