Latest Stories
Kansas Citians of the Year: A business power couple who built a legacy of civic service
A core requirement to earn the KC Chamber’s highest honor: simply making Kansas City a better place, said Joe Reardon, announcing local business icons Peggy and Terry Dunn — a former mayor and the longtime top executive at JE Dunn Construction — as the 2024 Kansas Citians of the Year. “Together, Peggy and Terry exemplify…
How a KC design firm helped put the tinsel on Hallmark’s new town square experience
Saturday’s star-studded premiere for the Hallmark movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” at Crown Center won’t be the only hometown Christmas tie-in at the sprawling Hallmark Christmas Experience. Kansas City-built Dimensional Innovations plays a key role in the season-long holiday celebration, which kicks off with the TV movie — filmed over the summer in…
Roll out the green carpet: KC activist-turned-global performer readies for his 1,000th clean energy show
AY Young is counting down to music history, he shared. After an almost 13-year journey through 100 cities and 40 countries, the singer, songwriter, activist, and entrepreneur has 41 shows remaining until his Guinness World recording-breaking 1,000th show powered solely by clean energy. He’s planning to hit the milestone Oct. 6, 2025: Green Sports Day….
New exempt salary threshold struck down: Why a judge said the feds’ rule had ‘gone seriously awry’
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Robert J. Hingula is employment class and collective actions co-chair at Polsinelli’s Kansas City office. He primarily focuses his practice on trial and counseling work involving labor and employment law. This commentary was originally published by Polsinelli. Employers have been waiting with bated…
If their shop smells like Travis Kelce at Christmas, these candle chemists called the right play
When the owners of Decori home and gift shop at the Village at Briarcliff suited up to create a Travis Kelce candle scent, they turned to their virtual assistant to help make the call. Alexa suggested a play on the “audacious, confident and powerful” scents of Creed Aventus. Three formulations later, partners Ralph Liebetrau and…
Downtown food hall hits closing time; Strang’s chef-driven concept leaving lightwell
Strang Chef Collective is serving its final customers within the food hall’s downtown space, said CEO Shawn Craft, announcing the lightwell location would close Tuesday “despite the company’s best efforts over the past year to keep it open.” The chef-driven concept — through which diners experience a mix of global and elevated comfort flavors —…
KC Daiquiri Shop closing Dec. 1; iconic duo behind the party vibes plans to ‘regroup, reflect, and rebuild’
The good times roll through the weekend at KC Daiquiri Shop as the well-known Mardi Gras-themed getaway on Grand Boulevard shuts down its years-long revelry. “This decision has not come lightly,” Kinley Strickland and Calvin Vick, owners of KC Daiquiri Shop, said Monday in a social media post announcing the business’ plans to close Dec….
Side hustle to help autistic adults belong in the workplace earns young founder Student Entrepreneur of the Year honor
Grace Kertz is redefining what workplace inclusivity can look like with Sensory Sync, an AI-powered platform designed to support neurodivergent employees. Her work on the innovative venture on Thursday earned her the title of UMKC Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “Sensory sync is an enterprise grade DEI and wellness platform sold to companies. It utilizes…
UMKC Entrepreneur of the Year: How Populous designed a legacy, built to go global
Kansas City-built design firm Populous brought to reality more than just great venues, Tom Bloch shared; it developed great experiences for a worldwide audience. “From its start here in Kansas City as HOK Sport in 1983 until now, Populous has set an unmatched standard for stadiums, convention centers, and event spaces,” Bloch told the crowd…
Black Ambition fund’s $50K gives KC healthech startup the ‘jet fuel we need to propel into 2025’
An initiative led by musician-turned-philanthropist Pharrell Williams to help close the opportunity and wealth gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs has selected Kansas City-based AskSAMIE for its latest cohort of funding, training and mentorship. Through the just-announced Black Ambition cohort, 30 founders are receiving awards between $25,000 and $1 million, totalling $2.7 million. AskSAMIE earned…
