News

New owner plans Vietnamese redux with modernized experience at Northland bánh mi spot

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2024

Quick service. Customization. Simple menu. Meals made-to-order in front of the customer. Chipotle was built on this service model. Now Peter Nguyen wants to bring it to his new Vietnamese restaurant, and even use that system to start a franchise of his own. In August, Nguyen purchased the former Bun Mee Phan restaurant at 4011…

Office with a pew: Coworking veterans hail ‘untapped potential’ of unused space within churches

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2024

A coworking space and a church — united around the idea of building community — formed a unique partnership earlier this year in Kansas City’s northland, said Bob Martin. The CO-OP at Shoal Creek — which Martin and Heather Heckroot opened in January — has taken up residence at Shoal Creek Community Church in Pleasant…

Digital Inclusion Fund awards $75K for devices to KC nonprofits working to get residents online 

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2024

A relaunched Kansas City-area fund is expected to help residents struggling because of a lack of simple tech resources: devices that might often be taken for granted among their neighbors for whom the internet — and the opportunities that come with it — is already easily accessible. Eleven nonprofits in the region recently were awarded a…

Biden-Harris official tours KC BioHub; region prepares to reapply for federal Tech Hubs funding

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2024

A visit from a top federal economic development leader early this month offered regional leaders an opportunity to showcase and build upon Kansas City’s strategy to increase domestic production of life-saving vaccines within the footprint of the newly established KC BioHub. Maryam Janani-Flores, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration…

Family-owned US Toy sells to Chicago-based novelty retailer; new owner pledges continued innovation

By Tommy Felts / October 4, 2024

The strategic acquisition of a 70-year-old Grandview company that has become a household name for its novelty toys is expected to fuel its new owner’s ability to meet the evolving needs of modern-day customers. Chicago-based Windy City Novelties, Inc. announced the deal with US Toy this week, though financial details were not disclosed. Founded in…