The Black Pantry

Ludo's Shuffleboard Bar

Take a peek down Ludo’s lanes before Made in KC’s new shuffleboard bar opens in Midtown

When the team at Made in KC moved the local-first retailer’s flagship shop to Martini Corner in spring 2021, they immediately had a vision for what the multi-concept building could entertain, said Keith Bradley.  The vision: a retro shuffleboard bar.  “The idea for a shuffleboard bar sparked from two places. One was the desire we…

Shonta Dabney, CoffeeFreshAF

‘My soul is being fed’: Shonta Dabney sips the small wins in her round-the-clock quest to bring Black-roasted coffee home

While most kids were drinking milk, juice, or plain old water — Shonta Dabney held a warm mug in her hands, sipping coffee at the kitchen table with her grandparents, she recalled.  “I have to be one of the very few Americans whose grandparents gave her coffee as a toddler,” Dabney laughed, looking back on where…

Shop small (and Black): Five high-quality goods at The Black Pantry to shop with intention

Editor’s note: Startland News explored The Black Pantry at Martini Corner in Midtown as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that highlights locally owned shops and the makers within them. The items identified here were curated by Brian Roberts, founder of The Black Pantry. Featured stores, makers and products were not asked to…

Brian Roberts, The Black Pantry, and Kearra Johnson, Studio LO; Thank You Black America

Thank you, Black America! Juneteenth pop-up rallies power of KC’s Black creatives

A celebration of Black America — and the critical work it’s done to begin breaking systemic cycles nationwide — is expected to launch soon in Kansas City, promising to shine a light on Black-owned businesses and creators, Kearra Johnson said.  “As young, Black entrepreneurs in the city, we’ve been looking for ways to get our brands…

Made in KC Midtown

First look: Made in KC opens Martini Corner shop with The Black Pantry, limited-run attractions

Made in KC’s new flagship shop on the revitalized Martini Corner in Midtown — a storefront shared with The Black Pantry — is a place of discovery, said Keith Bradley, emphasizing the eclectic blend of Kansas City products alongside home goods, specialty foods, and daily necessities from Black-owned companies. The 1,300-square-foot Made in KC retail space…