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
KC Rising update: Kansas City falling short in economic race with peer markets
Bill Gautreaux sounded the alarm with a mixed refrain meant as a KC Rising call to action: “We’re good, but we’re not good enough.” Throughout a recent KC Rising update on the region’s economic growth, Gautreaux and other KC Rising leaders championed Kansas City’s efforts to move the needle, while also lamenting the slow speed…
Startup advocates rally, demand KCMO invest more of its $1.73B budget in entrepreneurs
If Kansas City leaders want to build a stronger community, they should start by supporting early stage entrepreneurs, said Lesa Mitchell. “I’m simply here to say — we’re not spending enough money … and we need to look at it,” Mitchell, managing director of Techstars Kansas City, told KCMO city council members Saturday during a public…
Edison Spaces selects two startups for its inaugural Jumpstart office space giveaway
The first fruit to bare in an effort of ecosystem elevation, two Kansas City startups have received a jumpstart — courtesy of Edison Spaces, the flexible office space provider announced Friday. “Ultimately, we know the challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business, because we ourselves faced these challenges,” said Matt Druten, Edison Spaces CEO. A barrier…
A dating app for founders? Hotspots overhead? KCMO mayoral candidates pair up to pitch startup solutions
Bridging the digital divide in Kansas City is simple: Put WiFi hotspots in the trees, quipped Steve Miller, while pitching startup ideas — formed through on-the-spot brainstorming — to a crowd of entrepreneurs. “I love this tree idea … It’s very unique,” laughed fellow Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate and equally off-the-cuff Alissia Canady, Tuesday…