Plus, the KC Zoo has rebranded to KC Zoo and Aquarium.
 
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Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.
 

🍔 A meal down memory lane

The history of Winstead’s in Kansas City
KCtoday_Winstead's Sign
The green neon may only read “WIN...D’s” right now, but we didn’t come to read anyway. | Photo by KCtoday
Skyscraper milkshakes, french fries, and burgers — that’s what most people think of when they drive by Winstead’s. Today, we’re shifting that focus to what those four walls have heard and seen through the decades + where Winstead’s stands today.

📍 Where it all began

The diner was originally a drive-in style eatery — one of the first in the US. Founded in Springfield, Illinois in 1936 by Kathryn Winstead, the restaurant biz quickly became a family affair. Kathryn’s brother, Jack, opened a second spot in Jacksonville, Illinois. Then Nellie, their sister, brought up a new idea to Kathryn.

Winsteads KCtoday

Winstead’s circa 1980s. Can you spot any differences?

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Photo via Kansas City Public Library

⛲ Welcome to KC

Sometime between 1938 and 1940, Nellie and her husband Gordon suggested a restaurant near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. While Kathryn was hesitant at first, she eventually agreed to bring Winstead’s to the neighborhood in 1940. This KC spot would be the first Winstead’s designed in the Streamline Moderne style — plus, it would serve customers inside and outside via carhop.

🗺️ Across the region

The Country Club Plaza was just the start of their KC legacy. A location in Lee’s Summit opened in the 1940s, followed by one in Independence in 1946. Years later, Winstead’s could be found in North Kansas City, Lenexa, and Overland Park. While today there are only three standing, the legacy of the restaurant can still be found around the metro area.

Is there an iconic Kansas City eatery, landmark, building, or era that you want us to dig up? We’ll put our detective hat on — just let us know where to start.
Events
Thursday, July 27
  • Chamber Coffee | Thursday, July 27 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Inspired Homes, 24989 W. 145th St., Olathe, KS | Free | Network with 100+ Kansas Citians and enjoy scheduled programming.
  • Bliss Books and Wine x KCtoday | Bliss Books and Wine, 3502 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO | Thursday, July 27 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Free entry | Sip on a special summer sangria at this happy hour.
Friday, July 28
  • Cocktail Connect: A Dual Benefit Event | Friday, July 28 | 5-7 p.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $40 | Indulge in gourmet food, handcrafted cocktails, and a silent auction.
Saturday, July 29
  • Goat Yoga | Saturday, July 29 | 2-3 p.m. | Bourgmont Winery, 20299 Quivira Rd., Bucyrus, KS | $30 | Channel your inner zen alongside mini goats.
  • Movie Night on the Lawn | Saturday, July 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Legends Outlets Kansas City, 1843 Village W. Pkwy., Kansas City, KS | Free | Relax and watch “The Wedding Planner” while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunday, July 30
  • Service Industry Night | Sunday, July 30, Sunday, Aug. 6 | 7 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company, 310 W. 79th St., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | All service industry professionals can enjoy 20% off their tab with ID badge or proof of employment.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Health

Facing a cancer diagnosis? Here’s why you should consider getting a second opinion.
a man and woman dance, holding hands while smiling
People in Kansas City and beyond have The University of Kansas Cancer Center in their backyard to help them navigate the best plan for treatment. | Photo by The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Getting a second opinion for any medical diagnosis is important. However, after a cancer diagnosis, it’s essential to get a second opinion from a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Why? Diagnoses and treatment plans often change when patients seek a second opinion, and the center’s team of 150+ disease-specific cancer specialists ensures every patient receives the most personalized care.

Explore treatment options or call nurse navigation at (913) 588-1227 to make an appointment.
Learn more
News Notes
Announced
  • Meet the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. The opening of Sobela Ocean Aquarium is less than a month away, bringing another new change to the KC Zoo — it’s name. The new official logo + name reflects the addition of the aquarium to the zoo campus.
Sports
  • It’s never too early to plan ahead. The Kansas City Royals announced the 2024 spring training schedule. The exhibition season will begin with an away game on Friday, February 23 against the Texas Rangers. (FOX4)
Development
  • The Chiefs are entertaining three options for the future of Arrowhead stadium: renovation, building on-site, or building a new stadium elsewhere. President Mark Donovan says renovation is preferential, but it would be costly upkeep. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Show
  • Dave Chappelle is bringing his comedy tour to Kansas City. The “It’s a Celebration!” tour will be at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Sept. 17. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.
Today Is
  • National Intern Day. To celebrate, Dialectic engineers and interns are hosting a takeover from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Science City in Union Station. Kids can experience eight one-day-only interactive exhibits geared towards hands-on learning. Buy tickets.
Drink
  • A new season calls for another round. With the upcoming football season around the corner, Boulevard Brewing Co. is releasing its newest specialty beer: Another Round Imperial Wheat. Described as subtly sweet with a hint of citrus, we can already picture cracking this open on game day.
Biz

☕ The magic behind Messenger

Drink Up: Learn the process for sourcing ingredients at Messenger Coffee
Messenger Coffee
Hand picked + sourced for greatness. | Photo by KCtoday
Messenger Coffee is a staple in Kansas City — but did you ever think about where the beans and ingredients are sourced? We’re uncovering the mystery today with Joe Marrocco, VP of Coffee Sourcing and Product Development.

The Messenger team tastes hundreds of new coffees every season. The goal? Finding interesting flavors with the perfect balance of sweetness + complexity that complement the existing menu.

“Here at Messenger, we have a focus on craft. Not just the craft of coffee, but also the craft of baked goods. The craft of coffee itself is something messenger celebrates, not only as roasters of that coffee and proprietors of it, but also working with farmers who view the way they grow coffee as a craft as well,"Joe said.

The coffee shop’s commitment to using quality driven farmers is priority — developing real relations and buying coffee in an honest an ethical way. You can visit Messenger Coffee at various locations or shop online.
 
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The Wrap
 
City Editor Bella Rainey poses on a rooftop overlooking Kansas City, KCtoday.

Today’s edition by:
Bella
From the editor
This heat has got to go. I am a fall and winter gal to begin with — so this heatwave is not treating me well. Who else is excited for fall in KC? Football, bonfires, hot coffee. What’s not to love?
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