News

Jazz musician opens sell-out BBQ spot; here’s how he’s spicing up KC’s chorus of flavors

By Tommy Felts / May 24, 2024

Even with more than 90 barbecue restaurants across the metro, Gerald Dunn still figured there was room for his flavor profile on the Kansas City food scene.  But before opening Dunn Deal BBQ in Grandview, he made a pilgrimage of sorts, stopping in to see legendary Ollie Gates. He reveres the local barbecue pioneer and…

For the loaf of the grain: Jonny Bakes bread, expands to keep community nourishment rising

By Tommy Felts / May 23, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. Brookside bread baker works to reestablish the local grain shed Jon Szajnuk’s sourdough…

Thai Orchid opening in Northland: How this family business is getting out of its comfort zone with street food focus

By Tommy Felts / May 22, 2024

A second location for a longtime Johnson County restaurant is expected to honor the origin story of the family business — building on its menu with a new emphasis on casual Thai street food items and small plates. Thai Orchid — a Mission, Kansas, restaurant that has been in the Rojjanasrirat family for 26 years…

mySidewalk teases Sidekick — a data assistant at the forefront of AI’s difficult-to-simple transformation

By Tommy Felts / May 22, 2024

A new purpose-built community data and visualization tool from mySidewalk is designed to revolutionize decision making and empower those willing to embrace change when supplied with accessible and reliable data. The Kansas City-based govtech company this month announced the beta launch of Sidekick, an AI-powered data assistant meant to drive meaningful progress through insights gleaned…

Gold-plated: Serial entrepreneur mints new new venue in former bank — cashing in on built-in vault, history

By Tommy Felts / May 22, 2024

A refurbished events space in Lenexa not only deposits new life into a former structure along a busy Johnson County thoroughfare, said Steve Beaumont; the project near 95th Street and I-35 represents a fusion of history and innovation. “For 50 years, this corner has been a cornerstone of financial activity,” said Beaumont, the owner-developer behind…