Woman-led

KC’s cheesemakers Green Dirt Farm opening new space in embattled Crossroads

By Tommy Felts / February 22, 2024

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Green Dirt Farm is opening a new restaurant next month that will bring its sheep’s milk cheeses to the Crossroads —…

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KC gets its first pro pickleball team; Why a staunch tennis purist put down his racket for a paddle

By Tommy Felts / February 20, 2024

Pickleball has given former professional tennis player Daryl Wyatt a new lease on life, he shared, and now he’s hoping to ace Kansas City’s serve into next-level pickleball. The Kansas City Stingers — one of six U.S. expansion teams — is joining the National Pickleball League in 2024, under the ownership group of partners Julie…

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Chicken N Pickle serves a no-tech, backyard vibe; Here’s why it’s paying off with Texas, national expansion

By Tommy Felts / February 16, 2024

North Kansas City-founded Chicken N Pickle now has 10 locations — with six more in the works — but the award-winning entertainment destination remains committed to fostering human connection through simple spaces where everyone can play, said Kelli Alldredge. And disconnect. “We don’t have computers on the property. You don’t order from an iPad,” said…

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University launching effort for Native small biz, focused on ‘Indianpreneurship,’ resilience

By Tommy Felts / February 16, 2024

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.  LAWRENCE, Kansas — A Kansas university is looking forward to developing indigenous and minority entrepreneurs through a new program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Haskell Indian Nations University…

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Shop Local KC leader says she won’t live in fear after parade shooting marks third encounter with gun violence

By Tommy Felts / February 16, 2024

For the third time in two years, Katie Mabry van Dieren and her small businesses have been impacted by gun violence, she shared, and now the advocate for local makers is calling for gun reform. “It’s unimaginable,” Mabry van Dieren, owner of Shop Local KC and founder of Strawberry Swing, said in the wake of…

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