A place with personality (and really good pastries). | Photo by KCtoday
Every city has its major destination spots — popular hangouts and social media-worthy locations that everyone who’s anyone already knows about. Kansas City has no shortage of these staples, like Union Station, KC Live!, T-Mobile Center... the list goes on.
In the same thread, every city also has its hidden gems. Hole-in-the-wall businesses and low-key locations with a cult following. Here’s to threeKC spots that shine bright without a spotlight.
The first Google review literally starts with “Hidden gem!” This traditionally German bakery is described as masterful, wholesome, and “the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” We were tipped off by Reader Matthew B., who called the business “the best kept secret in KC.” Here are his pro tips:
It’s not very big, so be careful not to miss it.
Try the Champagne cakes (with real Champagne) or dark chocolate cakes.
The store is only open Friday and Saturday, so get there early (it opens at 10 a.m.).
When Editor Travis conducted a recent interview here, he was struck with 1. how small the shop is, and 2. how good the coffee is (single origin black coffee for the win).
Goat Hill is a concept by Post Coffee Roasters. Owners wanted to tie the name with KC’s history, nodding to Pendergast’s Democratic Goat faction. The shop replaced Little Freshie’s (a soda shop + espresso bar) in 2016.
A jazz club in a strip mall might not sound super scintillating, but there’s something satisfyingly intimate and personable about this space. Don’t be fooled by the lackluster facade (there’s no sign outside). This place welcomes world-class musicians.
For Editor Travis, he observed regulars mingling with the musicians like they were all old friends. For Editor Bella, “this spot is made special by its live music, both from customers + employees. Yes, you read that right, this bar has singing servers — and they are phenomenal.”
Women to Watch Artists Demo Day with Cafe Cà Phê | Tue., Oct. 18 | 2 p.m. | Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO | Free | View demonstrations from artists Melanie Johnson, Sun Young Park, and Mona Cliff while enjoying coffee from Cafe Cà Phê. 🎨
Marcus Mumford | Tue., Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, MO | $30+ | Yes, like of Mumford and Sons. 🎶
Wednesday, October 19
A.M. Connect at McLain’s Market | Wed., Oct. 19 | 8-9 a.m. | McLain’s Market Patio, 5833 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS | Free | Make business connections with a hot cup of coffee. ☕️
Garment District Grooves: October | Wed., Oct. 19 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Garment District Place, 8th St. + Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Take a break from work with some lunch and live music in the park.
Thursday, October 20
Moonlight Market | Thu., Oct. 20 | 4-8 p.m. | City Hall, 11110 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS | Free entry | Put on your Halloween costume and enjoy the pet parade, food trucks, and live music. 🌙
Tell-Tale Electric Poe | Thu., Oct. 20 - Sun., Oct. 30 | 7-8 p.m. | Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, MO | $12.00 - $15.00 | Experience Edgar Allen Poe’s stories and poems with live music to create the (necessary) spooky Poe ambiance.
Friday, October 21
Friday Night Sound Bites: The Butch Carson Band | Fri., Oct. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS | Free | Grab a friend, get some grub and groove into the weekend with The Butch Carson Band. 🎸
Saturday, October 29
Graveyard 5K Run + Walk | Sat., Oct. 29 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Elmwood Cemetery, 4900 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City | $5.00 - $40.00 | Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Elmwood Cemetery (and raise some money for its maintenance) at this spooky run — stick around after for local beer tastings, cemetery tours + more.*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
An investment group is trying to obtain air space clearance for a new skyscraper. GDC Financial Group filed for a building up to 521 ft tall. The potential mixed-use high-rise is slated for the block west of the Kauffman Center. It would be the third-tallest building in KC. 🏗 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Outdoor
KCMO is cutting the ribbon for improvements to Independence Plaza Parktoday, Oct 18 at 10:30 a.m. The unusual park straddles Independence Boulevard (at Brooklyn Avenue). Improvements include: futsal, pickleball, an accessible playground, new walking trails, fencing, improved lighting. 🏓
Open
A new apartment building is KC’s “first market rate, luxury development east of Prospect in generations,” according to a statement by Community Builders of Kansas City. The Rochester — at 3939 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., KCMO — is now leasing units starting at $1,050.
Pizza Tascio’s newest location — at 1806 W. 39th St., KCMO — is now open. The joint offers New York-style pizza by the slice (and is considered one of the best pizza places in KC). 🍕
Pets
KC Mega Match is back for the first time since 2019. Organizers hope to find homes for 500 animals during the event, Fri., Oct. 21-Sun., Oct. 23. All animal adoptions are $25 at Great Plains SPCA, Humane Society (KC + Lawrence), KC Pet Project, and Melissa’s Second Chances. 🐾
Ranked
Kansas City is among the top 10 cities in the US for remote work, according to LawnStarter. The rankings were determined by factors like workspaces, earning potential, connectivity, and cost of living. KC came in at No. 8 — not to be confused with our No. 1 ranking as a remote work destination.
Eat
Two local barbecue restaurants have made their rookie debut at Arrowhead Stadium this season. Buck Tui BBQ + Jousting Pigs replaced Plowboys, which pivoted to focus on its rub business. Out stomachs are rumbling for the new pulled pork-loaded fries. 🐖(Kansas City Magazine)
Coming Soon
Breakfast + lunch restaurant HomeGrown is planting roots in Leawood. The Wichita-based company is taking over the Corner Bakery Cafe space — 11705 Roe Ave. — with a scheduled opening in spring 2023. HomeGrown has locations in Brookside and Liberty. (Kansas City Star)
Seasonal
Ghosts aren’t just good for scaring. They can also tell stories.Lone Jack Historical Society is hosting a Walk with Civil War Spirits on Sat., Oct. 29, 7-9 p.m — at 301 S. Bynum Rd., Lone Jack, MO. Participants will follow a guide’s lantern and discover historic stories from this battle site. Tickets are $5. 👻
DYK
Did you know we want to see your artwork on our products? We’re looking for freelance graphic designers in Kansas City to work with us through our online retail store, and yes, you’d be getting paid for it. First, let’s get to know each other.
Real Estate
When Sam + Josh Davis found out their family was growing yet again, they knew their home needed to grow with it. “It was getting hard to imagine how we were going to have three teenagers in there.” Here’s the real estate move they made next.*
Beauty
Fresh, dewy skin is all the rage right now. One way to get it? Responsible luxury beauty brand MERIT’s Great Skin™ Instant Glow Serum: a lightweight, bi-phase serum with hyaluronic acid + niacinamide that instantly hydrates and plumps skin for a healthy glow. Bonus: Free Signature Makeup Bag with first purchase.*
The Buy
Want a straighter smile? SmileDirectClub can make it happen, with 22-hour-wear aligners and Nighttime Aligners™ that straighten teeth as little as 4-6 months — and results are guaranteed for life. Get started. 🦷 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Trending
‘Check your candy’ meme, KC style
‘Check your candy’ meme for Kansas City
Just thinking of these things makes any KC native sick. | Photos from Pexels, Canva, and Google Maps.
Be safe out there, parents, and make sure to do a candy checkthis Halloween.🍫
For instance, we found three things Kansas Citians are allergic to in these chocolate bars:
Using a turn signal
Road construction
Confusing states
Scary stuff. 😱
Okay, yeah, we know this is a returning meme. Maybe we spend wayyy too much time on the Internet, but still... safety first.
In all seriousness, it’s a good idea to not consume any candy that’s already open. Double check for allergies, and consider choking hazards for small children. Find more helpful information on the FDA’s full Halloween safety guide.
Have you found any KC-specific potential poisons in your treats this year? If so, drop us a line. No more tricks, we promise. 🎃
Editor’s pick: Every year, it seems like fall passes us by. I’ve seen exploding colors all over the Midwest, but KC seems to go from green to brown. Maybe I’m doing it wrong. If you have any great photos or videos of fall colors from around the metro, send them here along with the location and time of year taken. We’d love to share your expert spots (and maybe jump in a few leaf piles).
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