Just funded: KCMO unveils $200K in grants for nearly two dozen restaurants, bars, coffee shops

Kansas City has an “enormous appetite” for outdoor dining, said Wes Rogers, highlighting the growing need for city leaders to be responsive to evolving industry and small business trends — and championing KCMO’s new outdoor dining grants program.

Officials on Tuesday announced 20 inaugural recipients of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant. It’s an initiative — developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath — meant to elevate small businesses by providing funding to upgrade dining spaces for year-round use — especially outdoors.

Wes Rogers, a KCMO council member and chair of the city’s Small Business Task Force, speaks during an event announcing winners of KCMO’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“We saw the appetite during the pandemic, and we’ll see even more during the World Cup next year,” said Rogers, a KCMO council member and chair of the city’s Small Business Task Force. “I think this is just the beginning.”

With an allocation of $200,000 total, the program is set to fund dining projects at more than 20 local restaurants, including Cupini’s, which hosted an announcement event at its space near Stateline Road and 43rd Street. Awardees will use the grants to implement improvements such as canopies, outdoor heaters, fire pits, and lighting. Projects funded by the grants are expected to be completed by the summer of 2025.

Among the recipients are 20 local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, such as The Combine, Oddly Correct Coffee, Nico Nino’s Pub, and Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop.  

Each project was reviewed to ensure safety and feasibility, with a focus on supporting restaurants that have previously collaborated with the city’s Public Works Department on outdoor dining initiatives.

“Whether it’s adding more seating, weatherizing outdoor spaces, or creating year-round options, our goal is to fund projects that not only help businesses but also show our appreciation for their resilience,” said Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, during the announcement event.

“This program allows restaurants to upgrade their dining spaces to attract more business and continue growing our vibrant dining scene in Kansas City,” he added.

From the archives: KCMO wants more outdoor dining; new grants program pays for restaurant upgrades

The grants, funded through general revenue dollars, are part of a broader effort to support small businesses. Rogers suggested that the city also could explore reducing permit fees and streamlining processes for outdoor dining in the future, reflecting the growing demand from both businesses and patrons.

Eddie Cupini, owner of Cupini’s, speaks during an event announcing winners of KCMO’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Restaurants contribute significantly to the city’s tax base, including tourism taxes, Lucas noted, emphasizing that the just-announced funding is a way to give back.

“The $200,000 makes a big difference for these businesses,” he said. “It’s the least we can do to ensure they continue to thrive.”

At the event, Eddie Cupini, owner of Cupini’s, expressed gratitude for the grant, planning to upgrade his patio with heat, fans and fire pits, and also to host live music and special events. 

“We’re blessed to be here in Kansas City and to receive this support,” he said.

The full list of grant winners includes:

• Blip Roasters
• The Brick
• Browne’s Irish Marketplace
• Buffalo State Pizza Co.
• Cafe Ollama
• The Combine
• Cupini’s
• Double Tap KC
• Grinders
• Grand Street Café
• Kobi Q
• Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop
• Nick and Nino’s Pub
• Novel Restaurant
• Oddly Correct LLC
• OurHouseKC
• PH Coffee
• Tacos El Gallo
• Urban on Armour & Troost
• Vye Cocktail Lounge