Tag: The Black Pantry

AltCap Your Biz reveals 10 finalists vying for $25K grand prize at cornerstone GEWKC event

By Tommy Felts / October 23, 2023

A competition aimed at mobilizing the next generation of entrepreneurs and social innovators — along with awarding more than $40,000 in cash prizes to its winners — announced Monday the 10 finalists vying for its 2023 honors. AltCap Your Biz returns to the stage Thursday, Nov. 16 at Plexpod Westport at Park 39 as part…

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They walked right past us: Small biz owners shocked by low NFL Draft sales, now wary of World Cup

By Tommy Felts / May 2, 2023

A massive surge in visitors and foot traffic as Kansas City hosted its first NFL Draft failed to score many points outside the event grounds this weekend, as countless small businesses along the city’s urban corridor reported a sharp dip in revenue. “I think we’re all looking at our numbers and everything right now, and…

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Brian Roberts, The Black Pantry

Black Pantry expands nationally through online shop; founder works to set new standard for buying Black

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2022

Kansas City’s premier boutique for Black-owned essentials always had its sights set on building a national identity, said Brian Roberts, but he needed to prove himself and his business on the local level first.   “A lot of people were pushing me in the beginning to go the website direction, but I didn’t want to do…

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The Next Paige Agency

Alchemy Sandbox awards 5 more grants: Lean into failure to make your business ‘worthy to win’

By Tommy Felts / June 4, 2022

Success isn’t always immediate, Elaina Paige Thomas said, grateful for lessons learned through trial and error, as well as a firm belief that persistence pays off.  “What I originally thought my business needed was not seen as a necessity to my panel of judges,” said Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, recalling an experience…

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Ludo's Shuffleboard Bar

Take a peek down Ludo’s lanes before Made in KC’s new shuffleboard bar opens in Midtown

By Tommy Felts / April 23, 2022

When the team at Made in KC moved the local-first retailer’s flagship shop to Martini Corner in spring 2021, they immediately had a vision for what the multi-concept building could entertain, said Keith Bradley.  The vision: a retro shuffleboard bar.  “The idea for a shuffleboard bar sparked from two places. One was the desire we…

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