All Stories

World Cup is coming to KC (and so are the asks): How leaders must boost the region before 2026

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

Kansas City is steadily growing and evolving, said Neal Sharma, making it more important than ever to engage at the community level to tackle challenges and secure opportunities facing the region. That’s especially true as Kansas City prepares for the 2026 World Cup, echoed fellow leaders who spoke Thursday at KC Rising’s Horizon 2023 event.…

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Wholesale to wholesome: This rural Kansas soapery wants you (and your dog) to feel good in your own skin

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. PAOLA — Buying Fire Lake…

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KC Current drops apparel collaboration with streetwear brand to celebrate AAPI heritage

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2023

A new, limited-edition collection from MADE MOBB and the Kansas City Current features designs that blend the KC streetwear brand’s icon style with input from hometown women’s soccer players Chardonnay Curran and Hailie Mace. The merchandise collaboration — a first between the two organizations — launched this week in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian…

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New culinary center opens in the Northland, offering startup food businesses commercial kitchen space

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2023

Mid-Continent Public Library opened the doors to its much-anticipated Culinary Center — with public-facing food and nutrition-focused classes beginning in June, as well as commercial kitchen access for emerging food entrepreneurs. “We are thrilled to finally welcome the community into our space and can’t wait to get cooking!” said Xander Winkel, director for MCPL’s Culinary…

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Former Chiefs star wants to change the way employers look at tech talent — starting with untapped ‘forever learners’

By Tommy Felts / May 24, 2023

A new-to-Kansas City nonprofit is expected to provide young adults from underrepresented backgrounds with workforce development training and placement into technology sector jobs, opening another pathway toward achieving educational, economic, and racial equity. i.c.stars, headquartered in Chicago, launched in Kansas City in April — thanks in part to years of support from NFL Hall of…

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WYCO debuts DotteBiz tool to help launch, grow small businesses on KS side of KC

By Tommy Felts / May 23, 2023

Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a partner of Startland News. A newly-launched government online resource aims to eliminate barriers for local business owners and entrepreneurs in Wyandotte County, project leaders said. “Really, DotteBiz is about wanting to ease friction for entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them not only launch their businesses here in…

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Kinship Cafe owner paves plans to take ownership of his coffee shop (with a little help from his community)

By Tommy Felts / May 23, 2023

In April, TJ Roberts was at risk of losing his coffee shop to a parking lot. Now, Roberts is standing his ground, with the help of his community, to purchase the building that houses Kinship Cafe.  “It was a very dark couple of weeks, but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Purchasing…

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North KC’s new ‘Bob’s Burgers’ tribute bar: It’s what happens when theater kids get together to drink

By Tommy Felts / May 23, 2023

The grand re-re-re-opening of Vignettes Cocktail Bar as a pop-up tribute to the animated TV series “Bob’s Burgers” is a well-seasoned homage to yet another cult classic, said Edward Schmalz, co-owner of the North Kansas City nightspot.  “We wanted to pull upon that wholesome — yet still a little raunchy — vibe that is ‘Bob’s…

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Betty Rae’s sells to Shatto: Why the ice cream brand’s young steward is stepping away from the scoop (for now)

By Tommy Felts / May 20, 2023

An announcement this week that Betty Rae’s Ice Cream could open new shops and push its popular products into grocery stores is exciting growth to envision, agreed Alec Rodgers, the brand’s steward since 2021 when he bought and reopened its two storefronts amid challenges of the ongoing pandemic. Rodgers just won’t be the man behind…

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Entrepreneur meets with VP Harris; surprised DC already knew about KC’s first Black-owned brewery

By Tommy Felts / May 20, 2023

Word travels. A roundtable discussion this week with Vice President Kamala Harris gave Kemet Coleman an opportunity to put his city, and specifically the 18th and Vine neighborhood, on an elevated platform, the Kansas City entrepreneur and musician said. Coleman — one of three co-founders of the soon-to-be-opened Vine Street Brewing, Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery…

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