News

Landlord’s solution to Kansas housing crisis: 3D print his own home inventory 

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2025

TOPEKA — Regularly confronted with a lack of supply in the housing market — and the subsequent higher prices — landlord and general capital investor Chris Stemler faced a multi-dimensional challenge. “I thought to myself, ‘How do I help solve an inventory problem?’ the Topeka-based Trident Homes founder said.  “I know I’ve got renters who…

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Just-launched retail hub gets first tenant, battling ‘blight of the heart’ on Troost corner

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2025

‘We are each other’s bootstraps’ Transforming a long-vacant building along Troost into a space for neighborhood small businesses is about empowering the entrepreneurs already living and working in the east side community, said Father Justin Mathews. The newly unveiled RS Impact Exchange — built within the renovated, 1920-built Baker Shoe Building at 3108-3116 Troost Ave.…

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Hog Island to Parkville: Justus Drugstore owners docking new seafood concept in historic Parkville

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2025

The Parker Hollow builds on Chef Jonathan Justus’ mission to put small town Missouri on the menu PARKVILLE, Mo. — A bright yellow, nearly 150-year-old former Italian restaurant could become Kansas City’s go-to seafood destination with help from the world-renowned hometown culinary team behind Justus Drugstore and Black Dirt. Chef Jonathan Justus and his wife…

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You can’t plan for this: ‘Mr K’ finalists wary of another ‘wrench into the face’ from Washington

By Tommy Felts / May 30, 2025

An upended national political and economic climate has rippled down to Main Street, acknowledged leaders of this year’s Top 10 Small Businesses, bringing concerns about racism, DEI backlash, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions to Kansas City’s front door.  “We’ve had people come into the shop and harass our employees, our customers,” explained Dulcinea Herrera —…

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Hyde Park coffee space reopens with family vibe fitting historic neighborhood’s roots, owners say

By Tommy Felts / May 30, 2025

A newly opened neighborhood coffee shop in Hyde Park hopes to bring a fresh, family-friendly vibe to Kansas City’s bustling coffee scene, its owners said. “We created 1888 Coffee to be something different — not just another café, but a welcoming hub for our community,” said Christine Kehoe, co-owner and operator of 1888 Coffee with…

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