News

Shawnee’s new chef-driven sports bar serves retro with a side of Spam fries and banana ketchup

By Tommy Felts / March 20, 2025

Serial Kansas City hotspot founder opens door to Hank’s Garage with chefs Howard Hanna, Zac Sachs Eric Flanagan’s latest venture turns a former Shawnee auto shop into the resurrected downtown entertainment district’s newest destination — a casual neighborhood sports bar, complete with an innovative and elevated menu, classic beers, craft cocktails, and an outdoor patio…

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Meet KC’s cowpunk basement guitar hero: This DIY dreamer is demanding more from himself

By Tommy Felts / March 20, 2025

Kansas City’s DIY music scene has long been a hub for raw, creative talent — with eclectic frontman Kole Waters quickly becoming one of its standout names. As the lead guitarist and co-vocalist for post-country phenomenon Big Fat Cow and the centerpiece of synth-infused Dreamist, Waters blends influences ranging from folk storytelling to cathartic soundscapes.…

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Build to barrel: Inside Holladay Distillery’s ironclad plan to boost bourbon production by one-third

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2025

WESTON, Missouri — Holladay Distillery is breaking ground with Rickhouse D — its first new barrel-aging warehouse in 75 years — marking a major step in expanding bourbon production from the historic plant. Renowned as the only Missouri operation to age bourbon in ironclad rickhouses, Weston-based Holladay Distillery is increasing capacity to meet surging demand,…

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So you think you’re CEO material? UMKC’s ‘CEO Academy’ puts that ambition to the test

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2025

Aspiring executives with an eye on the C-suite need to be ready well before the opportunity arises, said Dan Hesse, leaning on his years of past experience as president and CEO of Sprint. It’s not about just being the boss, he emphasized. “Of all the roles, that of the CEO is so different than any…

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Pitch locally or look to outsiders? How founder bias toward funding at all costs could leave your distracted startup without a why

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2025

Kansas City’s funding gaps often feel deeper for women entrepreneurs, two top founders said Tuesday, describing a startup ecosystem that pits emerging entrepreneurs against each other — but perhaps more critically, against time — in a highly competitive fight for a limited amount of local capital. “Kansas City is very startup friendly — at least…

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