Let’s eat out: KCMO wants more outdoor dining; new grants program pays for restaurant upgrades
July 29, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
Outdoor dining’s economic impact outlasted the pandemic, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. A new push to boost KCMO businesses — with the backing of city tourism dollars — is expected to help local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars embrace the opportunity, he said.
Mayor Quinton Lucas details the City of KCMO’s new Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program on the patio of Billie’s Grocery in Midtown Kansas City; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
His goal: Make outdoor dining spaces even more attractive to visitors and hometown diners alike.
The City of Kansas City, Missouri — through its KC BizCare Office — announced the just-launched initiative this summer, providing individual establishments access to $15,000 in funding via the new Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program.
Applications opened today and run through Aug.16.
Click here to learn more about applying for a grant.
“The Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program ensures our local businesses stay competitive and offer exceptional dining experiences as our community continues to grow,” Lucas said. “When we give our small businesses and restaurants a chance to succeed, our whole community thrives.”
Sponsored by Lucas and Wes Rogers, Second District Councilman and chair of KCMO’s Small Business Task Force, the grant program is expected to award a total of $200,000 from the city’s Convention and Tourism Fund to local businesses.
To qualify for the grant, establishments must be KC-based, private, for-profit, full-service restaurants with an ADA-approved path to sidewalks/street cafés. They must hold all necessary licenses and permits and commit to increasing dining table capacity for at least six months of the year.
Accessible across the city
Lucas found inspiration during the pandemic from places like City Barrel Brewing Company in the Crossroads, he told Startland News. Despite many businesses struggling to pull in foot traffic amid the global health crisis and its aftermath, City Barrel attracted customers with its outside patio.
The mayor wants to open that possibility for other businesses, he said.
“I thought, ‘How can we do it to make this an opportunity for everyone?’ So, that’s where it was born,” Lucas said. “It wasn’t something that just needed to be during a pandemic, It’s the sort of solution and creative idea that should exist every day.”
Knowing that it’s not easy for all business owners to shell out extra money for an outdoor expansion, Lucas said, the city’s new grants will make outdoor dining improvements more accessible across the city.
“Kansas City’s small businesses are the backbone of our vibrant community, yet many restaurant owners face barriers when expanding their operations, upgrading, or creating innovative, unique concepts to attract more business,” said Lucas.
Addressing the grant’s equitable distribution, the application process asks businesses if they have received help before, as well as details about their location. Any restaurant located in Kansas City can apply, and the city is particularly focused on areas like 18th and Vine, where there’s a lot of foot traffic but fewer outdoor dining options, Lucas said.
Mayor Quinton Lucas details the City of KCMO’s new Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program on the patio of Billie’s Grocery in Midtown Kansas City; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Driving foot traffic to small businesses
The grant is part of Kansas City’s broader strategy to support local small, independent businesses and enhance city walkability.
Wes Rogers, Second District Councilman and chair of KCMO’s Small Business Task Force, speaks alongside Nia Richardson, managing director of the city’s KC BizCare Office, during the “Do The Right Thing” pitch competition; photo by Startland News
“We are trying to make it easier to operate and open a business in Kansas City and find opportunities here,” said Lucas. “I want you to come out for a special dining experience in Kansas City. This incentive helps build that.”
The success of the dining grants program will be measured over time, he continued, noting the city aims to follow up with businesses not just for the first couple of weeks, but looking long-term at how successful the implementation of the grant was at getting more patios up and operating.
Feedback from entrepreneurs has been positive so far, Lucas said, adding that many have shown interest and excitement about the grant and the opportunity to upgrade their spaces.
“I’ve heard from local businesses and I think the most important thing we can do is get this information out there,” he said. “They’ve got families, they’ve got businesses and employees, they’re very busy. So, we’re trying to share this opportunity widely.”
Even on mild days, I prefer to chat on a patio.
Outdoor dining expands opportunity for street and sidewalk engagement and supports local restaurants and taverns. Excited to share that applications are now live for up to $15K grants!
Learn more here: https://t.co/1ew38DJ8KL pic.twitter.com/fPxJP9m7Sl
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) July 29, 2024
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kauffman Foundation dishes $840K to 8 area accelerators
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is hitting the gas on its support of area accelerator programs. As part of the 2016 KC Accelerator Challenge, the Kauffman Foundation announced Tuesday that it’s awarded a total of $840,000 in grants to eight local venture accelerator programs. “Our goal is to increase entrepreneurial success in Kansas City through…
Efficiency, innovative home construction are cornerstones for Prairie Design Build
David Schleicher was just looking for something to get back on track. In 2012, the president of Prairie Design Build, a house building company located in Kansas City, had watched his then six-year-old business begin to suffer because of the recent recession. Schleicher was desperately seeking a way to keep his head above water, not…
Listen: When the grind gets gloomy, experts discuss mental health challenges and entrepreneurship
About 72 percent of entrepreneurs have self-reported mental health concerns, according to a study done by the University of California San Francisco. More specifically, about 30 percent of entrepreneurs experience depression and about 30 percent experience ADHD, the same study found. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Startland News and Think Big’s May Innovation…
6 tips and tricks to stay sane while scaling fast
Frequently taking on more demands and shirking personal care, entrepreneurs’ work-life balance often skews toward work. Deadlines, finding clients, making payroll and dozens of other stressors can put entrepreneurs at risk of mental illness or compound existing challenges. Furthermore, entrepreneurs are disproportionately affected by such issues as ADHD, bipolar disorder and depression, according to studies…