IN Kansas City July 2025

Innovators Influencers AND

TEN KANSAS CITIANS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A full-service, in-house construction and design team: Ross offers both construction and design services under her supervision which significantl impacts the client experience for the better.

Impeccable attention to detail: Like the show-stopping interiors she creates, Ross understands the art of details and will bring the smallest of project elements to new heights.

The embodiment of luxury: When infusing luxury into a home remodeling project, Ross looks beyond price tags and instead embraces not only what luxury is, but how it makes a client feel.

Invest where it counts: When you work with a kitchen and bath designer it can save you time—and money, not to mention stress.

The art of trend-setting: Ross isn’t shy about crediting her Western European heritage for helping her cultivate a keen eye for interior trends. “I set the trends; I don’t follow them,” she says

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Paulene Kelly

In This Issue

It’s our fifth annual Innovators & Influencers issue. Our original idea was to honor ten “people of the year” making a difference in Kansas City in ten categories. And on this month’s cover, you’ll find eight of the ten folks representing our survey results. (Two of the ten were in Europe at the time of our photo shoot, and for that, we let them off the hook!) All ten were interviewed; you’ll find their stories beginning on page 46.

We quizzed Kansas Citians knowledgeable in each of the ten categories for their nominations and winnowed it down to the ten you’ll read about in this issue. You’ll be impressed by the talented, wildly diverse group of movers and shakers who are represented this year. From a doctor seeking to prevent Alzheimer’s to a talented jazz vocalist, there will be some everyone knows and some you’ve never heard of. But they’re all accomplished in their fields.

It’s a much longer read than you’ll usually find in our pages, but we hope you’ll feel it’s worth your time. I think you’ll become engrossed in their backstories and how they’ve achieved the success they’re being honored for here. We again approached the writer of all four previous features, Katie Van Luchene, to write the profiles. In one of the many emails we traded back and forth, she typed: “Thanks again for letting me write this. Some of the stories are heartwarming, others are inspirational.”

Please take the time; their stories are mesmerizing.

But of course, there’s much more within these pages.

Jenny Vergara’s feature on Kansas City’s classic diners and drive-ins has given me a list of spots I plan to visit this summer. What could be better on a warm night than to be enjoying a malt and a burger (possibly a Zip Burger?) with carhop service or in a diner booth? You’ll get hungry just reading the story beginning on page 52.

Starting on page 56, Patricia O’Dell reports on a contemporary condo with spectacular Plaza views. Interior designer Kurt Knapstein finally acquiesced to my continued pestering and allowed us to feature his home in this issue. It’s stunning, and I think you’ll agree.

I hope you’ll find this issue an evocative mix of things you’ll want to read and things you’ll need to read.

Vol. 8 | No. 7

JULY 2025

Editor In Chief Zim Loy

Digital Editor Evan Pagano

Art Director Alice Govert Bryan

Contributing Writers

Judith Fertig, Merrily Jackson, Cindy Hoedel, Damian Lair, Patricia O’Dell, Katie Van Luchene, Jenny Vergara

Contributing Photographers

Ron Berg, Bridget Chang, Aaron Leimkuehler

Publisher Michelle Jolles

Media Director Brittany Coale

Senior Media Consultants

Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Josie Rawlings

Intern Janie Eckles

Newsstand Consultant

Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net

Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com

Advertising Questions: bcoale@inkansascity.com

Distribution Questions: mjolles@inkansascity.com

Magazine Subscriptions:

Mail: IN Kansas City Subscriptions PO Box 292374, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: 888-881-5861

Email: SUBS@inkansascity.com

Subscribe Online: inkansascity.com/subscribe

Hot-weather hangouts. Creating IN Kansas City sends our team all over the metro, and our list of favorite destinations is ever-growing. This month, with temperatures rising, we shared our go-to summer hangout spots in Kansas City. Spoiler: some of us soak up the sun, and others flee to AC. Find our July Staff Picks on inkansascity.com

you’ve been to any two KC barbecue restaurants— say Jack Stack BBQ and Gates Bar-B-Q—you know how much KC-style sauce can differ from one place to the next. Everyone has a preference. We teamed with the founder of the Museum of BBQ, Jonathan Bender, to classify every major sauce in KC. Find our breakdown in the Restaurants section on inkansascity.com

ENTER TO WIN

Music at the museum. Once a month during summer, The Museum of Kansas City opens its gates after hours and has a local band play into the night. Elixir on the Lawn, its on-site soda fountain, pours the drinks. This month, one IN Kansas City reader could win four tickets and four drinks for its August 8 Summer Concert on the Lawn. Just enter to win by July 31 at inkansascity.com/the-magazine/ enter-to-win. Best of luck!

Urban oasis. Panthers Place, open on weekends in the Westside, is part bar, part garden, and all atmosphere. We went to this whisperedabout spot, then wrote about our experience in the Bars section on inkansascity.com.

This Month IN KC

July

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE

by Evan Pagano

JULY SPOTLIGHT

KC Fringe Festival

July 6–27 kcfringe.org

On the fringe. KC Fringe turns 21 this year, and it’s celebrating the milestone with a dizzying lineup that sprawls across Kansas City. We’re in for three weeks of art, with visual pieces arriving on July 6 and 13, performances beginning on July 17, and films filling the weekend of July 18-20. The visual art galleries debut with receptions— one at Gael’s Public House on July 6, and another in Union Station on July 13. Expect jewelry, paintings, mixed media, and above all, works that stir wonder and conversation.

The film screenings are packed into the third weekend of July at Stray Cat Film Center. It’s a variety, alright. You can follow a screening of April Fool, an adult drama, with The Weirdos Comedy Hour II, or World Championship Arm Wrestling III.

The performances are what many associate with KC Fringe, and the program is as unique as ever. Your favorite is somewhere in the 152-performance lineup, but a few to consider: Alibi, a blizzard-trapped rom-com at Whim Space; Have you touched the sand?, a contemporary dance at Music Theater Heritage; and Apologies for the Late Reply, a stand-up comedy set by Ben San Del at Unicorn Theatre.

Festival of Butterflies

July 17–Aug. 3

Powell Gardens powellgardens.org/festival-of-butterflies

Beauty in motion. Powell Gardens is a stunner year-round, but it amazes during the Festival of Butterflies. That’s when the botanical garden, inside and out, is dedicated to the world’s most beautiful pollinators. You’ll see butterflies in the Conservatory, the Butterfly Meadow, and other pollinator hotspots— and hopefully learn something along the way. Couples should consider the ticketed Cultural Nights on Saturdays, which showcase food and entertainment from Latin America (July 19), India (July 26), and Greece (Aug. 2).

KC Summer Beer Fest

July 19

Kauffman Stadium kcsummerbeerfest.com

Sips in deep center. On July 19, the Royals will be in Miami—which means you, if you’d like, can attend a 60-brewery beer festival in the outfield at the K. Breweries from downtown to Denver are bringing a collective 150 different beers for you to try, and eight food trucks will be on the concourse. If you splurge for VIP admission, you can tour the visitors’ dugout and clubhouse and get more beer in the Crown Club.

Kansas City’s Lawn Party

July 20

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art’s Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and Theis Park nelson-atkins.org/events/festivals/ kansas-citys-lawn-party

It’s everyone’s yard! Spend dinnertime Sunday on the spacious lawns of the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and Theis Park. There will be food trucks, yard games, kids’ activities, and live music throughout the evening to celebrate the museum’s 90th anniversary and National Park and Recreation Month’s 40th anniver sary. Expect badminton, jugglers, plein-air painters, a stilt walker, and lots more across more than 30 acres.

For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com/events

BRANDS

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

AGOLDE

AEYDE

AJE

A.LC.

ALEMIAS

ALEX MILL

ALIX OF BOHEMIA

ALLUDE

ALOHAS

AMERICANVINTAGE

ANINE BING

ASKKNY

ATP ATELIER

AUTRY

BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN

BEMBIEN

BOUGUESSA

BYMALENE BIRGER

CIAO LUCIA

CITIZEN OFHUMANITY

CLAREV

CLEA

DAMSON MADDER

DEHANCHE

DOEN

DONNI

ENZA COSTA

EMERSONFRY

FARM RIO

FAVORITEDAUGHTER

FLOWZE

FREDA SALVADOR

GANNI

GESTUZ

GUEST INRESIDENCE

HERSKIND

HUNZA G

ICONDENIM

JANESSA LEONE

JENNY BIRD

KULE

L'.AGENCE

LESET

LITTLE LIFFNER

LIZZIE FORTUANTO

LOEFFLER RANDALL

LOREN STEWART

MADEWORN

MATTHEW BURCH

MAIAMI BERLIN

MAISONIREM

MIRTH

MOTHER

MOUSSY

MUMA WORLD

NANUSHKA

OROTON

POSSE

PROENZA SCHOULER

RACHEL ANTONOFF

RACHEL COMEY

RAG &BONE

RAILS

RE/DONE

ROTATE

SAINT ART

SAMSOE SAMSOE

SEA NY

SIMKHAI

SLVRLAKE

SOLID &STRIPED

STAUD

STINE GOYA

THE GREAT

TIBI

TWP

ULLA JOHNSON

XIRENA &MORE

by Merrily Jackson mjackson@inkansascity.com

The Best Party Trick: Hiring Help

True story: a friend once went to a big party at the opulent home of a well-known couple. He stepped outside for a breath of air (read: cigarette) and overheard some of the catering staff talking about what a pretentious bully the hostess was. This was decades ago but that story is what I think about every time I hear the woman’s name. And every time I manage staff for a party. Rule number one in hiring staff is, obviously, to treat them well. Here is some other guidance.

A little help can go a long way. Throwing a party should be fun— but hosting can be exhausting. Hiring helpers frees you up to connect people, handle any surprises with grace, and maybe even sip your own cocktail before it’s gone warm. It makes a huge difference in how much you enjoy the night.

Build your own list of party helpers. When I hire party help, it’s usually for a smaller gathering where I need just one very capable bartender who doubles as a server. I pay about $50 an hour—the going rate in Kansas City for a server/bartender is $30 to $50—plus a nice tip. My go-to list is comprised of people I found through friends or by paying attention at parties and events. When someone impresses me, I ask for their info. If they fit my budget, I give them a shot when I need a hand. You can do this, too. Notice who’s great and don’t be afraid to follow up.

Sometimes you need a full-service caterer. When you’re hiring a catering team, start by laying out the basics—what kind of party, how many people you’re expecting, and the general vibe you’re going for. From there, most caterers will come back with a proposal that includes menu ideas, pricing, rentals, and whether staff is included. It’s very much worth your while to get two or three estimates so you can compare not just costs, but also personality and style—it really matters. Be ready to put down a deposit (usually 25 to 50 percent) to lock in your date, and plan to pay the rest before the event. And seriously: get everything in writing. It’ll save you stress later.

How to be the perfect client on party day. Your kitchen should be clean and uncluttered so the team can get right to work. Make sure the stove and other appliances are working. To me this seems obvious, but not everyone does it. “You wouldn’t believe what we walk into sometimes,” legendary (now retired) caterer Lon Lane once told me. For larger events, provide an additional staging area—e.g., folding tables in your garage— so staff are not all on top of each other and have a place to stash dirty dishes, bins, and empty boxes.

Make cleanup easy for them. Give staff a clear idea of when you’d like cleanup to wrap. Have plenty of trash bags, paper towels, and dish towels, and a clearly marked bin for recycling.

Tip generously. My friend Grace Thompson, a native Texan, is the very picture of Southern hospitality and graciousness. Before the party, she sets aside a moment to tuck each tip into an envelope labeled with the server’s or bartender’s name, adding a short, thoughtful note to each one. Something like “thanks for helping make our party a success.” Then she signs it with best wishes from her and her hubs. I bet if we overheard the staff talking about this hostess, it would be only with the warmest admiration.

THE JOURNEY TO LUXURY STARTS WITH US.

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Entertaining IN KC BIG PARTY TOOLKIT

BORROWED BRILLIANCE

Estately offers luxury antique and contemporary tabletop rentals paired with custom styling, giving you instant access to a gorgeously set table without the storage headache. estatelyevents.com

SIT PRETTY

Tired of dragging out the ugly folding chairs for extra seating? Invest in Chiavari chairs— elegant, stackable, and surprisingly affordable, as low as $50 each, at chavarisales.com. You can choose from multiple finishes and cushion colors.

PLATTER POWER

A great-looking oversized platter is the host’s secret weapon, equally suited to a roast, a mountain of cookies, or a dramatic cheese spread. Annieglass platter available at Terrasi Living, $323.

INITIAL IMPACT

Monogrammed paper cocktail napkins add instant elegance, and when you buy in bulk, they’re far more economical than overpriced designer versions. (Six bucks for only 20? Please.) Find them at RSVP in the Village

DRY LIKE A PRO

Classic flour-sack dish towels dry crystal and china without lint or streaks. For easy clean-up, have a pile of them next to your sink at party time. Westlake Ace Hardware in Corinth stocks them in a variety of sizes.

THE SILVER STANDARD

When you’re polishing for a crowd, Hagerty Silversmiths’ Polish makes quick work of your task, cleaning, polishing, and preventing tarnish. Available at Pryde’s Kitchen and Necessities

Entertaining IN KC

MERRILY’S VERRRY EXCLUSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED CATERERS

FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, these caterers consistently deliver excellence. This is by no means a comprehensive list; there are many excellent catering professionals in our metro area.

Evan Williams Catering. Full-service catering. Absolutely breathtaking food and service. An excellent choice if you’re looking for a top-tier celebration. evanwilliamscatering.com

Jo Marie Scaglia in partnership with Caffetteria. Owner of Caffetteria and The Mixx, Jo Marie and her catering team do buffet-style small dinner parties, birthday parties, post-funeral celebrations—anything that doesn’t require an on-site chef. taylor@mixxingitup.com

Michael Smith. James Beard Award-winning chef/owner of Farina and Extra Virgin, Michael Smith will occasionally do private in-home dinners for 20 or fewer guests. He needs plenty of notice, since it pulls him away from the restaurants for the evening. nancy@michaelsmithkc.com

Inspired Occasions. Full-service catering. A long-standing KC favorite, they handle events ranging from intimate dinners for two to major events for 5,000 or more guests. inspiredoccasionskc.com

Thyme for Seasoning. Full-service catering. The chef/owner Stephanie Eastwood makes everything from scratch using local ingredients. It’s an excellent value, without compromising on quality. thymeforseasoning.com

Evan Williams Catering

Entertaining IN KC

ASK MERRILY

Find answers to all your entertaining questions.

Q: How should I prep my bathroom before party guests arrive?

A: Think of your bathroom as a tiny guest suite. Remove the bath mat (it just gets in the way), clear the clutter, and dim the lights—low enough for atmosphere, bright enough to find the soap. Speaking of, make it a good-smelling one. Add fresh hand towels, a small vase of

THE DEFINITIVE

BLUEPRINT

OF EXCELLENCE IN KANSAS CITY REAL ES TAT E

Finding the Why

With a background in journalism, Rachel is trained to ask the right questions to uncover the deeper “why” behind every move. Whether it’s financial security, a dream school district, or a place that feels cozy and safe, she hones in on what really matters. “There’s always a bigger why.”

All Access Pass

Rachel goes all out to create unforgettable client events. From trivia nights to themed celebrations (hello, Swifties!), beautiful, fully equipped ReeceNichols offices across the metro help make it happen. “The facilities are amazing. They’re perfect for hosting.”

Follow the Leader

Rachel got the best real estate education possible, learning from KC’s best agents while taking advantage of the weekly training ReeceNichols offered. “I could just open their brain up and dive in and swim anytime I wanted.” She didn’t just figure things out —she hit the ground running.

Surrounded by many of the city’s top agents, Rachel thrives in an environment where advice is freely shared—but so is ambition. It’s a dynamic culture where agents push each other and help each other to sharpen their skills.“Having both of those dynamics is so conducive to success.”

Iron Sharpens Iron

Rachel Kilmer Real Estate Agent

Our Man IN

by Damian Lair dlair@inkansascity.com

Radioactive Power

RadioActive is an event for people who love Kansas City, its stories, and one of its most prolific and poignant storytellers. On the event’s 10th anniversary, nearly 1,200 such people filled one of the largest ballrooms in the city and opened their hearts and wallets for this treasured community news institution—KCUR 89.3

Borrowing a journalism phrase—I won’t bury the lede. This was the best RadioActive yet. (OK, I’ve not made it to quite all ten). It’s also the best event I’ve attended this year in Kansas City. The Loews Kansas City Hotel ballroom swelled with joy and compassion, affecting me in a way that has lingered for days.

First, there’s no dancing around the influence of politics—something I’m always loath to mix in here. Critical funding for public media presently hangs in the balance. The day prior to this event, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure clawing back already approved and allocated funding for public media. The measure now rests with the Senate, and by the time you’re holding a print copy, I expect we’ll have finality. If funding is eliminated, more than 1,000 local NPR stations and 350 PBS stations will be directly affected. This will undoubtedly hasten the collapse of local news already sweeping the country. This network of locally controlled and operated stations was created nearly 60 years ago as a public service, which is why you’ll never experience a paywall to read, watch, or listen to their locally focused content. In some areas, particularly rural, these stations are the only source of local news and emergency broadcast services.

And here’s a controversial take that may ruffle feathers on both sides of this issue. In my view, there’s no surer sign that someone is not a regular public radio listener than describing it as biased. I would say—and I mean this in the most endearing way possible—public radio is blessedly boring. You’ll seldom hear raised voices by provocative guests, back-and-forth talking point matches conducted by dueling political commentators, or clever quips by media personalities moonlighting as celebrities and fueled by clicks and likes. Civility is, after all, a mainstay of the NPR brand. What you will find is succinct, straightforward news, limited only by known and verifiable facts. It’s unsensational by design. Which is not to be confused with uninspiring. The phrase “driveway moment” exists for this very reason. As a con-

OVERHEARD

“The outfit is giving

sumer of an intentionally broad media diet, I find the most utility and peace in this restrained and polite middle ground. And I’m not alone. It’s maybe the worst-kept secret that lawmakers themselves—of all political stripes—gravitate to public radio for its noise-free, straightforward news delivery.

But, please—let’s get back to the party!

Laurie Arbore emceed the evening and provided thoughtful commentary as we dined on an exceptionally delicious and crisp salad, followed by rib eye and sea bass. Arbore also highlighted one of my favorite components of the event—the Adventures Auction. Last year, I purchased an incredible private tour of Yoli Tortilleria with owner Marissa Gencarelli (which I wrote about here). Not resting on their laurels, the Adventures committee assembled another fun array of auction items, including a wine and cheese night with Steve Kraske, a fall planter-making session with The Greensman’s Kristopher Dabner, and a private experience at The Moth Mainstage, among many others.

KCUR’s general manager, Sarah Morris , provided a sobering but upbeat state of affairs, overviewing some of what I mentioned above. One specific thing she said that stuck with me was connected to the idea of bias. She quoted journalist Christiane Amanpour, who said, “Our job is to be truthful, not neutral.” It’s one of those punchy quotes that can spur hours of contemplating. But rather than interpret and analyze it to shreds here, I’d encourage you to sit with it for a bit, and just think. In one tidy sentence, it captures the essence and

photo by brandon parigo

NPR’s Juana Summers with Damian Lair at KCUR’s RadioActive.

me Wilbur Turnblad of the Hardy Har Hut vibes.”

ONE OF A KIND CRAFTSMANSHIP

Our

role of responsible journalism.

The evening’s anticipated special guest and a host of NPR’s All Things Considered (and native Kansas Citian!) was Juana Summers Despite having moved away 15 years ago, she remains a Kansas Citian through and through—look no further than the Nelson-Atkins shuttlecock tattooed on her forearm. Her journalism credentials stretch back as far as writing for the Kansas City Star’s teen column and the student newspaper at St. Teresa’s Academy—humble but necessary beginnings for someone now helming one of the most consumed news programs in the country. As she described, journalism gave her a means of connection, a different lens through which to see the world, and a way to better understand and identify with people in her community. And in that vein, she described how being from “flyover country” often informs the way she asks questions. It changes how she picks the featured stories. It changes how she views the world, the values she holds, and the desire to bring other voices into the conversation—leaning into the all in All Things Considered. That geographic diversity is what makes NPR so unique. With its network of more than 1,000 local member stations, it has access to stories that reflect the full American experience, far beyond news studios ensconced in our gleaming metropolises.

Auctioneer Tanna Guthrie seized on this enthusiasm and embarked on a fund-a-need unlike any I’ve ever experienced in Kansas City. Everyone was raising paddles, and it felt like the number-calling would never end. In all, the event hit a new record and raised more than a million dollars. This year’s co-chairs, Doug Anning & Kirk Isenhour, Casey Simmons, and Sloane Simmons, deserve a mighty congratulations.

Some final KCUR-specific facts. Despite the doom and gloom, public radio in Kansas City isn’t going away. Even with pending funding cuts and claw backs, our dynamo station relies on the federal government for only 15 percent of its funding. The rest comes from happy listeners and advertisers who derive value from its always-on, valuable content. Still, the impacts would be felt. Kansas City is fortunate to have such a sizeable and generous listener base. Stations serving smaller rural populations, often in local media deserts, would be less self-reliant and suffer greatly. It is likely that some would cease to operate, diminishing the wide network NPR uniquely draws upon for its diverse coverage.

Astonishingly, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which administers federal funds for all public radio (and television), costs the U.S. just $1.60 a year, per taxpayer. For most subscription-based daily news, that wouldn’t cover one week. It is frankly remarkable that such a small but consequential investment sustains our country’s enviable, vast network of public stations. Together, they reach 99 percent of Americans, providing meaningful, locally produced news for the more than 40 million people who rely on this content. It belongs to all of us. It is worth fighting for.

OVERHEARD

“I mean I like a beard. But if it’s bushy enough for insects to find refuge, I’m out.”

SPOTTED: Ann Baum, Maurice Watson, Sarah & Jon Baum, Christine & Sandy Kemper, Julie Walker Brown & Pete Brown, Karen & Dr. John Jungmeyer, Andrea Bough, Barbara Foster, Karen & Jack Holland, Dr. Marjorie Williams, Ursula Terrasi, Jamila & Dr. Michael Weaver, Dr. Regina Nouhan & John Eck, Jen Bedell, Lee Page, Sarah Page,

Jonathan Bowyer, Eric Thomas & Jonathan Gregory, Jake & James Jensvold, Michael Hopkins, Darren Blosser, James Maiden, Chadwick Brooks, Steve Stroade & Danny Ng, Christopher Beal & Tim Van Zandt, David Wiley, Landon Vonderschmidt, Nate Saete, Taylor Gozia, Kellen Whaley, Danny & Bob Shervington-Bair, Matt Anderson, Adam Gebhardt, Godfrey Riddle, Kelly Anders, Jane & Keith Gard, Ada Koch, Marcie & Ron Jones, Katherine Holland, Jessica Blubaugh, Greg Campbell, Bradley Petzold, Desarae Harrah, Margaret PerkinsMcGuinness, John Coler, Peggy Lowe, Lisa Rodriguez, Carlos Moreno, David Fulk, Claratē Heckler

HOORAY FOR ENGLEWOOD

HOT GOSSIP:

Who caused quite a surprise scene at a local Italian restaurant?

FIFTEEN MINUTES from downtown Kansas City and nestled among historic homes and tree-lined streets is the Englewood Arts District. Until recently, this Independence enclave was unknown to me. As I turned onto Winner Road, I was immediately struck by the welcoming midcentury-modernist marquee sign. (I’ve since learned this was installed last year—a cobbling together of the familiar Glenwood Theatre sign, preserved following demolition, and new elements that mimic the style, including a sputnik topper.) The district has a charming Main Street feel, as if it were a movie set. And speaking of movies, the district is centered around the Englewood Theater, a cherished Art Deco movie house built in 1949. All along the four-block, pedestrian-friendly corridor are charming shops and restaurants—a column of their own is surely in the future.

While at an event earlier this year, I was chatting with dear friend Frances Baszta, who had done some invitation design work for an upcoming event. She alerted me to Hooray for Englewood, the inaugural fundraising event for the district’s anchor—the Englewood Arts Center. The community arts center is a home for artist studios, exhibitions, art classes, live performances, makers spaces, summer camps, and a gallery/art shop. It’s focused on the visual, performing, and culinary arts. The center also operates an affordable housing program that engages with local lenders to support those seeking housing in the surrounding neighborhood.

Playing off the historic theater next door and the art center’s own signage (“Englewood” in classic block lettering reminiscent of the famous Hollywood sign), the event adopted a Hollywood-style theme. Vintage cars from the Art Deco era set the mood for an evening of period glamour. A red carpet bespeckled with sponsor stars led to what felt like a movie studio’s backlot. Tables were piled high with appetizers and guests mingled over cocktails in the most dreamy, mild summertime weather. I strolled through the art-focused silent auction that included paintings, blown glass, photography, jewelry, and ceramics. Live music and dancing added to the jovial ambience. Later, a live auction featured items like a signed Salvador Perez jersey, a blue topaz necklace, and a week-long trip to anywhere in the world.

Eager to check out the Englewood Arts Center on a non-gala evening? Why not drop in for the district’s Third Friday Art Walks, monthly events featuring special programs, gallery receptions, sidewalk and street activities, glassblowing demos, and more. Hooray!

COMIDA MEANS FOOD

FOLLOWING A SEVERAL-YEAR PAUSE, Comida returned to the soaring train hall at Union Station. It’s long been on my list, but somehow schedules never aligned. Add it to that growing list of firsts!

Comida is a gastronomic showcase spotlighting the delectable cuisines of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Indigenous cultures. The event brings together acclaimed local chefs and restaurateurs, cutting-edge mixologists, and local foodies. If you love food as a form of exploration, you’d love Comida. It’s also an important fundraiser for the educational and community programs of the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative, a sister organization of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City.

As the name conveys, Comida’s focus is food. And allow me to say—the offerings were dynamite. With a ravenous after-work appetite, I was unconvinced that I’d be fulfilled by an array of small bites. I was entirely wrong. The hall’s entire perimeter was lined with local restaurant outposts—many familiar to me, but also plenty to discover. Of note, I enjoyed the flautas and pastes of Mexico (Hidalgo) from Dominique Young of Dos Tequilas. Crystal Nieves, of Tamaleon KC, brought the flavors of Puerto Rico to life with her arroz con gandules y salchiacha. And (still reminiscing about a crisscrossing trip to Colombia a few months back), I was ecstatic to taste Stephanie Echeverry’s Colombian ceviche de chicharron and grilled corn cakes from Las Primas Prime Social’s Michael Ruiz also served up some delicious crispy pork belly tamales from Mexico (Guanajuato). In all, more than a dozen restaurants and chefs participated in this progressive feast.

In addition to the incredible food, cocktails were no afterthought. Mixologist Jenn Tosatto, of Aqua Penny’s, referred to her Peruvian pisco-based “Between the Jungle and the Stars” as a “patio pounder.” Correct. I also enjoyed the Bolivian spiced rum cocktail from Diana Condori, of the pop-up bar Condor’s Cove.

Amid the convivial conversations, dining, and sipping, there was a constant stream of live music and performances. My favorite was artist Eric Hernandez’s traditional Native American hoop dance, inspired by the Taos Pueblo Tribe healing ceremony. Eric, hailing from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, has taken center stage at both TEDx and as the lead in Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, touring over 17 countries. His dance moves were an amalgamation of a soaring eagle, a graceful butterfly, and a complex Rubik’s cube. It was both entrancing and inspiring.

Ahead of the official event, I had the extra special opportunity to meet the evening’s featured guest chef, Pyet DeSpain. She is an award-winning culinary talent and proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Among her many accomplishments, DeSpain made history as the first winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef. Specializing in Indigenous fusion cuisine, she is best known for skillfully blending her Native American and Mexican roots. I asked what was driving her right now, and she discussed expanding her Los Angeles-based business, Pyet’s Plate, her forthcoming PBS show, Spirit Plate with Pyet DeSpain, and her book, Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking, available on November 18. Now that’s what you call a full plate!

SPOTTED: Alvin Brooks, Jermaine Reed, Eric Negrete, George Guastello, Michael Tritt, Robert Furmanski, Petra Kralickova, Chris Hernandez & Paul Monteil, Laura Norris, Anna Knutson

So, KC—where do you want to go? XO

A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard. 1900bldg.com (913) 730–1905

Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. Chef Duerr and team present elegant fare and carefully curated menus for a variety of special occasions. therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730–1900

1900 Building

1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Mission Woods, Kansas

by Judith Fertig

Adrienne “Dri” Hernaez

ACTOR ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS

When you hear the term “college recruiting,” you usually think in terms of sports. But talent is not confined to football, basketball, or baseball. The arts need stars-in-the-making, too.

Adrienne “Dri” Hernaez put in her application with the University Resident Theatre Association and was recruited by UMKC to their Master of Fine Arts program in acting. Now with her completed MFA from UMKC Conservatory, she is ready to hone her comedic talent, develop her emotional range, and train her mezzo-soprano voice.

Being recruited gave her a big confidence boost. “Their belief in me helped me realize that even if it was going to be hard, I wanted to try,” she says. “I didn’t want to live my life regretting that I didn’t do it, that was the push. Getting into the program was a reaffirmation that I should keep going.”

UMKC has also assisted her in setting up lasting connections in the theater community, while KCRep provided her with the chance to be a part of the creation of roles, especially with the wardrobe and character development. It’s all a learning process with every role.

In Kate Hamill’s fun, flirty, and fresh reimagining of Jane Austen’s Emma at KCRep in May, Hernaez donned a red wig, an outrageous bonnet, and a big attitude to play Mrs. Elton, the snobbish character Austenites love to hate. drihernaez.com

INKC: Fresh off your role as full-ofherself and fish-out-of-water Mrs. Elton in KCRep’s lively production of Emma, what have you learned about playing comedy?

Dri Hernaez: I’ve learned so much in this process about what it takes to create comedy on stage. Watching the cast and the director, Meredith McDonough, work together to heighten each comedic moment has mainly taught me that comedy is all in the specific timing of very clear action. It’s basically creating a very detailed and finessed map that is repeatable and effective to allow each joke to land with the audience. That’s why I think comedy on stage, especially, is challenging because it is very technical once you explore the possibilities and nail down each bit that works!

INKC: How has your own fish-outof-water experience been going, as a Filipino-American from the West Coast transplanted to the Midwest? What has been most challenging? Most enjoyable?

DH: I grew up in the Bay Area in California, and I went to Hawaii to attend undergrad in Elementary Education. I wasn’t as involved in theater and acting as much as I am now in Kansas City, and I’m really grateful for that change! The most challenging thing has been trying to open myself up to unfamiliar situations and people because it’s always challenging to find courage to put yourself in

new spaces, not knowing what the outcome will be or how it might affect you. But the most enjoyable part has been all the lovely and talented people I have been able to work with and befriend once I overcome that fear each time.

INKC: How did you decide you wanted to be an actor?

DH: I’ve always had that dream, but being the youngest daughter of immigrant parents, I didn’t think it was possible for me. I didn’t have any acting classes, and I grew up in an area where those types of extracurricular programs weren’t available or affordable. It wasn’t until I was student teaching a second-grade class on Zoom during the height of the pandemic that I had to seriously consider how I wanted to spend the rest of my life, and if what I was doing at the time really made me feel complete. I took a leap of faith and decided to audition for MFA programs for acting, and I haven’t looked back since.

INKC: If you could dream in Technicolor, where would you like your acting career to take you? New York? Hollywood? Stage? Film? Are there roles you would love to play?

DH: I would love to work at various regional theaters across the country! My goals are to work with kind, humble artists at theaters such as The Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf Theater, The Old Globe Theater, and Berkeley Repertory Theater. I would love to do film and TV, as well, but I’m not trying to be famous. I would just want to be able to fill my life with artist friends that I get to learn from and play with to create a bunch of different worlds, on a bunch of different stages! That is my dream.

Arts & Culture IN KC

by Judith Fertig

GOING WITH THE FLOW: TWO EXHIBITS AT HAW CONTEMPORARY

FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 16, two artists exhibit their latest work, both involved with movement and flow.

With Reflections, Boons, Muses, Joys and Playpretties, Mike Erickson exhibits his nature-inspired work—acrylic on canvas—featuring themes of disappearing and then finding himself.

With the landscape of the American West as both backdrop and inspiration, Erickson explores the feeling of “getting in the flow,” whether it be hunting, fishing, or painting.

Textile artist Debra Smith’s Walking in Traffic is a meditation on movement—hesitation and trust, chaos and flow. Inspired by a moment in Cairo, where a young man she had met the night before in the hotel restaurant reappeared just as she and her mother stood stranded before six relentless lanes of traffic. When Smith asked how to cross, he simply said with calm certainty, “You just have to go. They will stop for you.” Then, with quiet confidence, he guided them forward, and what had seemed impossible, became fluid and instinctive.

Smith is known for her abstract fabric collages. Raised in Hannibal, Missouri, she grew up in a creative household surrounded by textiles, an early influence that continues to shape her practice.

For more information, visit hawcontemporary.com

MUSICAL THEATER AT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER—WEST SIDE STORY

CO-PRODUCED WITH the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, West Side Story continues to engage and enthrall audiences from July 5 through 27 at the White Theatre on the Jewish Community Center campus.

This American retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York City’s Upper West Side, first staged on Broadway in 1957, is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Conceived by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.

When Tony, a member of the Jets street gang, falls in love with Puerto Rican Maria, the stage is set for trouble.

Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

West Side Story’s exciting, sophisticated score is often considered Broadway’s finest. Its songs—Maria, I Feel Pretty, Tonight, One Hand, One Heart—have become a part of the nation’s musical heritage.

For more information and tickets, visit thejkc.org

Walking in Traffic by Debra Smith.

YO-YO MA, CELLO IN SOLO RECITAL DECEMBER 2, 2025

HELZBERG HALL AT KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ORDER TICKETS NOW AS PART OF YOUR SEASON PACKAGE BEFORE SINGLE TICKETS GO ON SALE AND RECEIVE A SPECIAL TICKET SAVINGS OFFER! DETAILS AT HJSERIES.ORG

KANSAS CITY’S PREMIER PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTER

Arts & Culture IN KC

by Judith Fertig

TIVOLI UNDER THE STARS: PERSUASION

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN ON JULY 11, the Tivoli movie lights go up on the Nelson-Atkins lawn. Bring a chair or blanket, grab some snacks, settle back, and enjoy a beloved 1995 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Persuasion

Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) lives a life of spinsterish usefulness at her spendthrift father’s estate, still mourning the demise of her relationship with an up-and-coming Navy man due to family pressure. Unlike playful and witty Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Anne is dependable and sensible.

The Elliots must “retrench” by leasing their property and removing themselves to fashionable Bath, where they can maintain appearances while spending less. But Anne is sent first to help her emotionally needy sister and her young family at Uppercross Hall. While there, Anne encounters Captain Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), the Navy man she still loves. Wentworth is still stung by her refusal of his marriage proposal, and they both act like they barely know each other.

Can a thwarted romance enjoy a successful second act? The Guardian review sums it up: “As much as Persuasion is a story about second chances, it’s also about a woman learning to be true to herself.”

For more information and tickets, visit nelson-atkins.org

FOLLOW THE RECIPE: A SOCIAL AND CULTURAL JOURNEY AT LINDA HALL LIBRARY

WHY, YOU MAY ASK, are cookbooks on display at an institution dedicated to all things science?

Now through August, you can discover the why at Linda Hall Library. Preparing food involves chemistry, botany, physics, and math. Cookbooks full of those recipes also give us a glimpse into our shared cultural history.

And it all came about when Aida Clark, a reference assistant, found several boxes of books that had yet to be catalogued. Many of them were related to food and fell into four categories that now make up the exhibit: Military, School Lunch, Travel, and Home Cooking.

In the Military section, you’ll find everything from sweet roll recipes to a 21-photo guide on folding wax paper around a ham sandwich. The School Lunch section offers a look back to a time when meals were made by volunteers or packed from home.

The Travel section highlights how international events like the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair introduced Americans to now-familiar treats—iced tea, cotton candy, peanut butter, and Jell-O. Home Cooking showcases recipes with old-school measurements like “butter the size of an egg” and quirky 1950s and 1960s dishes like “Garden Salad Loaf,” a gelatin mold of vegetables.

Enjoy this exhibit as an appetizer, and then go out for lunch or dinner and celebrate how far we’ve come with food.

For more information, visit lindahall.org.

Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds star in the 1995 film, Persuasion.

by Judith Fertig

AdventHealth Lenexa City Center: A Community Anchor for Whole Person Healing

A CONVERSATION WITH SISSEL JACOB, THE PRESIDENT/CEO OF ADVENTHEALTH LENEXA CITY CENTER

Whether you’re the Kansas City Royals contemplating a new stadium complex or a hospital system wanting to expand, “mixed use” is the new direction.

While a solitary stadium or hospital might hope to attract businesses and services around it, why not plan ahead? The new 25-acre campus of AdventHealth Lenexa City Center embraces this mixed-use idea. It will encompass a full-service standalone hospital and medical office building, and in the future, a multi-use retail space.

And much, much more.

Sissel Jacob, President/CEO, AdventHealth Lenexa City Center explains.

What are some of the highlights of AdventHealth Lenexa City Center?

One of the most exciting highlights of AdventHealth Lenexa City Center is our unwavering focus on delivering exceptional, whole-person healthcare through a wide range of advanced services. At the heart of our campus is a full-service, state-of-the-art hospital equipped with cutting-edge surgical suites, a 24/7 emergency department, and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. These capabilities allow us to meet the diverse and evolving health needs of our community with precision and compassion.

What truly sets us apart is the integration of medical services with wellness-focused amenities. AdventHealth Lenexa City Center is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology designed to elevate patient care, streamline operations, and enhance clinical outcomes. From advanced imaging systems and minimally invasive surgical suites to integrated electronic health records and smart patient rooms, every element of our facility is built to support precision medicine and real-time collaboration among care teams. Our commitment to innovation ensures that patients receive timely, personalized care in a setting that prioritizes both safety and efficiency, while also empowering our clinicians with the tools they need to deliver exceptional outcomes.

We’ve also designed our facility with healing in mind. The infrastructure and design of AdventHealth Lenexa City Center are deeply inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding Kansas landscape. Our campus incorporates biophilic design principles—bringing elements of nature indoors through natural light, organic materials, calming

Sissel Jacob, President/CEO

make a

How do we inspire a healthier world? It starts with putting your health first. At AdventHealth, we’re leading the way in women’s care. As one of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals, more expecting moms turn to us for first hellos. With our state-of-the-art Cancer Institute home to the leading gynecologic cancer team in the region, and a world-class diagnostic breast center, more women trust our personalized cancer care. And with a team dedicated to women’s heart care, we’re experts in matters of the heart.

Learn why more women trust AdventHealth, Kansas City’s leader in women’s health care at WomensCareKC.com.

Health IN KC

color palettes, and green spaces—to create a healing environment that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. From tranquil walking paths and garden views to thoughtfully designed interiors that reduce stress and promote well-being, every aspect of our facility is crafted to foster a sense of peace and connection for patients, visitors, and staff alike.

How will AdventHealth’s new mixed-use hospital model serve the community better?

We’re redefining what it means to be a community hospital by fully integrating ourselves into the heart of Lenexa City Center’s vibrant development. Our 25-acre campus isn’t just a standalone facility—it’s thoughtfully designed to grow alongside the community. As part of our ten-year vision, we plan to expand beyond our initial offerings to include health and wellness-focused retail spaces and additional services that will further embed us into the daily lives of those we serve. Unlike traditional hospitals that often develop in isolation, our campus was intentionally designed from the ground up to be part of a thriving, mixeduse environment. With over 1,000 homes and businesses located within just a half-mile radius, we’re creating a health and wellness hub that’s accessible, walkable, and deeply connected to the people around us. By opening with a full-service hospital and medical office building, we’re fostering a dynamic space where healthcare, daily life, and community engagement intersect—making it easier for residents and professionals

to access care, stay well, and feel supported close to home.

How does AdventHealth Lenexa City Center advance the mission of whole-person health?

AdventHealth’s mission is rooted in the belief that true health encompasses body, mind, and spirit. AdventHealth Lenexa City Center exemplifies this philosophy by creating an environment that supports every dimension of well-being. As the first and only standalone inpatient hospital in Lenexa—and the fourth AdventHealth hospital in Kansas— this facility expands access to high-quality, faith-based care in a rapidly growing region. It brings essential services closer to home for thousands of residents, reducing barriers to care and enabling earlier interventions.

Beyond clinical excellence, the campus is designed to nurture emotional and spiritual health. Chaplaincy services, meditation rooms, and wellness programming are integral parts of the patient journey. Our caregivers are trained to recognize and respond to the emotional and spiritual needs of those we serve, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

In essence, AdventHealth Lenexa City Center is more than a hospital—it’s a community anchor that reflects our unwavering commitment to whole-person health and compassionate care. AdventHealthKC.com

by Patricia O’Dell

Hooray for the USA!

AND HERE’S TO GREAT LOOKING, BUT EASY, ENTERTAINING

Imay be stepping on my colleague Merrily Jackson’s toes here, but I think pieces for entertaining are part of décor as well. When we’re planning for holiday celebrations, it’s nice to have décor that’s sustainable.

Durable and charming Fiesta plates, bowls, and mugs from Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities scattered with red and blue stars are sure to light up your table. It’s easy to justify your purchase when you consider you’ll use them every year. In fact, having the dishware gives you a great excuse to entertain!

I’m going to let you in on one of my favorite finds. The linen napkins at World Market are fantastic. They have a variety of colors and are usually well-stocked, so it’s easy to buy for a crowd. The indigo is my favorite. It doesn’t stain and washes well—over and over again. But if

an extra treat after your celebration, it might be fun to send everyone home with one. Since there are three different designs, couples and families could choose their favorites. Or you can keep them all for yourself. We’re not judging.

While not July 4th themed, the Cityscape Kansas City Skyline Cutting Board from Made in Kansas City makes a great addition to any occasion. Who wouldn’t want to bring Union Station, the Shuttlecocks, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Western Auto, and more to your table?

DORM ROOM DOMINATION

WHEN I LEFT FOR COLLEGE, my parents gave me $100 in cash, a gas credit card—because I was driving from Dallas to Lawrence—and a hug goodbye. It didn’t occur to me until I arrived that people’s parents drove them to college. But that’s water under the bridge. What I remember having in the car was a couple of suitcases, but I must have had more than that. I’m certain that we didn’t buy new bedding. I don’t think there were extra-long twin beds then. Poor darlings, we struggled through with regular twins. Can you imagine?

Well, if you’ve sent a child to college recently, or know someone who has, times have changed. Dorm room decorating has become a major industry. Recently I read an article that quoted designers who are charging $7,000 to $10,000 for dorm décor. And, if that’s what you

Once you’ve settled all of this with your soon-to-be college student, take a deep breath. You’ve almost done it. My last piece of advice is be careful about “after move in” plans. Lots of schools have activities in place to help the new students meet people and get settled. I’d suggest this may be the time you celebrate, even if you’re drinking cheap beer and not champagne! GOING

want to do, you can. But the essentials are available at a range of prices. It’s true that a mattress pad, sheets, and a good light are essential. Bed risers are a huge help because they provide extra storage under the bed, and dorm rooms can be seriously lacking adequate storage. Any way you can add shelves or hooks is a bonus as well. You may find that a mini fridge is a “must have,” but double check the school’s guidelines.

Pottery Barn Teen

by Patricia O’Dell

Hometown Boy Makes Good Design

MARSHALL WATSON’S NEW BOOK FILLED WITH INSPIRATION

Kansas City native Marshall Watson lives and works in New York City, but he manages projects near and far, including Kansas City. His style is based in classic design, which he notes that he learned from his mother, who appreciated and collected antiques, and his father, who was a passionate gardener. Through a somewhat winding path, he enrolled in design school at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology and launched his interior design career from there.

The work in his new book, Marshall Watson: Defining Elegance, which is his second, further demonstrates his understanding of design history,

Marshall Watson: Defining Elegance showcases work from a wide range of environments, revealing how Watson’s design principles adapt to different geographies and climates.

proportion, and his deft hand at using color and pattern in a way that doesn’t overwhelm or jolt. In addition, he uses a variety of materials and styles that clearly reflect the clients’ personalities rather than his own.

There are no cookie-cutter designs in this book, which includes a seaside home in Connecticut and a modern barn in Napa Valley. It’s a special treat to see his own New York apartment and East Hampton home and garden. There’s plenty of inspiration that’s relatable regardless of the size of your home.

Marshall Watson: Defining Elegance is available at booksellers everywhere.

author photo courtesy of traditional home

| book photos

courtesy of rizzoli

new york

GOING TO BED WITH HAPPY HABITAT

NEW BED RUNNER SOLVES

AGE-OLD PROBLEM

BLANKET, NO BLANKET? COMFORTER? NO, THANKS. Often, bedmates’ internal thermostats do not rise and fall at the same rate. One covers up, the other shifts and kicks. No one is being difficult here. Internal thermostats are made, not chosen.

But thanks to Happy Habitat, we can all have a, well, happy habitat. The brand’s new Bed Runner is a double wide, extra-long knit blanket that you can use on the end of your bed for a dash of color, or to keep your always-cold feet warm, while your bedmate’s feet stay comfortable without.

In ten different designs and colors, machine washable (in case the pup hops up), in both king and queen sizes, the runners are made of 50/50 cotton and recycled polyester. With the Happy Habitat Bed Runner, you can spend your time working on bigger issues. Like who gets to control the remote, or what time you really need to get up in the morning.

Happy Habitat products are carried in town at UrBana in Prairie Village and Jorjy in Brookside, or online at happyhabitat.com.

Petra bed runner Plus One bed runner

Aero bed runner

GOLD COULD BE YOUR NEW FINANCIAL STRATEGY

WITH DIAMOND BANC

Today might be the best time to put your gold pieces to work for you.

“Gold is currently trading at some of the highest levels we’ve seen in years—over $3,300 an ounce,” says Sicily Von Overfelt, director of Diamond Banc in Kansas City. That means your gold assets—whether inherited, collected, or purchased—may be worth significantly more today than ever before.

“From chains and coins to luxury watches, we help clients understand and maximize the real-time value of their holdings,” says Von Overfelt. “People often see gold as decorative or sentimental, but it can be a powerful financial tool—especially in an economy where borrowing costs are high.”

PUT GOLD TO WORK FOR YOU

Unlike real estate, stocks and bonds, or works of art, gold is a much more liquid asset. You can sell it quickly, if you know where to go and whom to trust. Diamond Banc can help you put your gold to work.

One way is to sell your gold jewelry, coins, or other pieces outright.

Once you make an appointment and come in, there is no pressure to sell, says Von Overfelt. You will get a free valuation on the gold jewelry you bring in. You may decide to sell that day, you may not. Whatever you decide, you will know that Diamond Banc’s long history and reputation are also things you can count on. “Relationships really matter in this business,” Von Overfelt explains. “Not only my trusted relationship with clients, but also Diamond Banc’s large

network of global relationships with retailers and buyers. Our clients know that we’re committed to transparency in what we do, our expertise in examining valuables, and our pledge to maximize the value of their special pieces.”

Some clients, however, might wish to leverage the value of their gold pieces without selling. Diamond Banc can help with that, too.

A SHORT-TERM EQUITY LOAN CAN MAKE LONG-TERM DREAMS COME TRUE

“You could also use your gold jewelry as collateral for a 30-day equity loan,” suggests Von Overfelt. “We loan up to 75% of the value and charge 8% interest for the first 30 days. Traditional pawn shops can charge up to 17% interest, which would add up to 204% APR,” she says. If you pay the interest each month, you can extend the loan for another 30 days. Or another and another. Clients can also draw loan balances up and down, like a flexible line of credit. When you pay back the interest and principal, you retrieve your jewelry. Diamond Banc also sends automatic payment reminders, so you don’t lose track. “We want you to get your items back,” says Von Overfelt.

There is no credit check with an equity loan from Diamond Banc, so your credit is not impacted one way or another. After the valuation of your items and completion of the paperwork, you could walk out of the office with a check or a direct deposit to your bank account. Fast and easy.

“I had a recent client whose family had given her several 22 to 24-karat gold bangle bracelets, a tradition in their culture,” says Von Overfelt. This client secured a loan for an upcoming project, paid off the loan, and retrieved her treasured jewelry.

Each loan is tailored to match a client’s individual goals and needs, offering flexibility in both the amount and the repayment schedule. Loan offers are often equivalent to purchase offers. If you make more than the

minimum monthly payment, that extra goes towards repaying the principal. There is no penalty for repaying the principal early. Diamond Banc’s service is confidential, professional, and personal. When you want to “liquify your luxury,” suggests Von Overfelt, or realize substantial capital for a different investment, Diamond Banc is there.

Sicily Von Overfelt is a GIA Diamonds Graduate with over 16 years of experience in the jewelry industry and 10+ years with Diamond Banc. She began her career in retail diamond sales, where she gained extensive experience with designer brands, the intricacies of the diamond market and providing luxury client experience. Sicily is the Director of Diamond Banc in Kansas City, authenticating and purchasing pre-owned luxury designer jewelry, diamonds, and watches from the public.

435 Nichols Rd., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64112 816.597.5773 FOR AN APPOINTMENT email sicily@diamondbanc.com

Innovators Influencers AND 2025

MEET 10 PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

IN KANSAS CITY

Whether born here or hailing from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the members of our fifth annual roster of people to watch have more similarities than differences. Several have built careers educating young people. Others pay homage to mentors by helping others find their way. They may be the stars, but each one expressed gratitude to people in their orbit—colleagues, cofounders, partners, teammates, moms.

And while Kansas City is cheering several exciting milestones—from sports to the arts—these honorees have their own reasons to celebrate. It could be a CD release, new projects, or, in one case, breakthroughs to help predict and treat one of the world’s most devastating diseases.

“This is what I was meant to do.” It may have been phrased in ten different ways, but each influencer feels lucky to be turning passions into purpose. We think you’ll feel lucky to meet them in this issue.

words by Katie Van Luchene photos by Ron Berg shot on location at The Austin by Abbott Hospitality

From left to right: Joy Rhodes, Jean-Jacques Corbier, Raven Jemison, Dr. Jeffrey Burns, Erika Moody, Davyeon Ross, John Gordon Jr., Justin Hoffman. Not pictured: Eboni Fondren, Natasha Herdman.

When neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Burns founded his memory clinic in 2007, it was just him and a fascination about what makes the brain work. “Not much was known about Alzheimer’s at the time,” he says. “There weren’t many treatments available. But I knew there would be answers in the future, and I wanted to be part of it.”

Now the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Fairway (one of only 35 centers designated by the National Institute of Health in the nation) employs over 100 scientists studying the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Burns and his team offer programs to ed-

DR. JEFFREY BURNS HEALTHCARE ARTS

ucate and support health-care professionals, patient family members and caregivers, but their primary focus is on research to help detect risks before there are memory problems. Along with brain scans and blood tests, the center relies on what Burns calls “volunteer heroes” who participate in dozens of studies. Many are lifestyle based, including the impact diet and exercise have on prevention. For example, one study tests if adding avocados to the diet can help.

“Then the big question,” he asks, “is what do we do with that knowledge?” That’s one of the benefits of being part of a nationwide network. Data is shared with other research centers to help develop interventions and

drugs to delay, treat, or stop the disease.

For those dealing with Alzheimer’s in some regard—through loved ones, friends, neighbors, or the fear of one’s own memory loss—Burns has good news. “I do believe we’ll be able to prevent the disease in the future,” he says. “I don’t know when, but with research and treatment, it’ll happen.”

JEAN-JACQUES CORBIER

making my art for the awards. I want to make an impact on people.”

Yet winning the ArtsKC Teri Rogers Screenwriting Award in 2024-25 meant a great deal to Corbier. While he never met the late filmmaker, he’s heard about her passion for the craft. It was validation that he chose the right career path.

‘‘Wanna see my Oscar?” a friend asked Jean-Jacques Corbier, and when he answered yes, the award winner fished around in his backpack for the trophy. “That was a defining moment for me,” Corbier says. “I realized I’m not

“I was hooked when I attended my first film class,” he says about his first year at the University of Kansas. “It’s wild, because I was home schooled and didn’t see my first film in a movie theater until I was 15.” Now he’s immersed in every aspect of filmmaking, including writing, directing, and acting.

The last role is ironic for a kid who grew up isolated and shy. Perhaps his experience inspired Sherman, the lonely man in High

Value, his award-winning script. He also wrote and directed the short films CATtharsis and When I Sit Down in 2023.

Corbier enjoys collaborating with other creatives; his Instagram series, The Artist Mark, has featured musician Calvin Arsenia (2024 Innovators and Influencers), artist Warren Harvey, and singer-songwriter Trevor Turla, among others.

Corbier will have a chance to hone his acting skills when he appears in an immersive version of the play MacBeth. “We’re taking over a gutted office building at 710 Central,” he says. “The Shakesperian language is the same but the sets and costumes will be futuristic.” The limited-run performance starts July 31. Maybe Corbier does have an Oscar in his future.

MUSIC

EBONI

FONDREN

The first time Eboni Fondren sang for Everette DeVan, he recognized her star potential. It wasn’t just her lush voice with an incredible range; it was her eagerness to learn. The jazz icon helped develop Fondren’s stage presence and encouraged her to scat—vocal gymnastics she feared but that now seem natural to her.

With her statuesque beauty and Old Hollywood glamour fashion sense, it’s easy for Fondren to command the stage. She favors colorful satin gowns and often wears a flower in her hair. “My mom was my first style icon,” she says. “She always dressed to the nines; I grew up playing in her closet.”

Beyond that, Fondren knows performing is more than just singing. “You have to be a

John Gordon had an epiphany when he worked for the Northern California juvenile court system. One 14-year-old was sent to a working farm as punishment that became his salvation. “When I visited him a few months later he was a different kid,” recalls Gordon. “He had his own garden

storyteller,” she says, “and to convey what the lyrics are about. Is the song sad or funny? Is it playful?” DeVan also taught her how to switch up her style and think on her feet.

“That’s why I’m so comfortable working with a variety of styles and musicians,” she says, including her own jazz quartet, performing with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra live and on their album In the Key of KC, hosting a jazz session at the Blue Room, and as band leader for one of the country’s most popular cover bands, Lost Wax.

Her debut album, The Journey: to Kansas City with Love, includes two of her own songs, a sassy One Million Five, and the heartbreaking Hollow, one she says she’s been writing for years through life’s ups and downs.

Her life is definitely on an upswing these

days. At this writing, she’s performing in Paris and preparing for her one-woman show at the Music Theater Heritage during July’s Fringe Festival. Jazz: The Women Who Shaped Me, incorporates voice-overs, monologues, and portraying some of the singers who influenced her, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James.

NONPROFITS

JOHN GORDON, JR.

to tend to and his own goat to raise. Suddenly he had purpose.”

Gordon brought that seed of an idea back to Kansas City and opened BoysGrow in 2010 to offer those life lessons through agriculture to urban youth. The organization’s mantra is painted on the side of a barn on the ten-acre farm in south Kansas City: Commitment. Pride. Respect.

BoysGrow recruits teens from local charter or public schools and community centers. Often, it’s through word of mouth when a family member or neighbor attests to the power of the program. When accepted, the youths commit to two years of work in the main categories of culinary arts, farming, and construction, along with supporting needs like mechanics, animal husbandry, and marketing.

The vocational training builds entrepre-

neurship through a seed-to-sales program. Produce becomes products like barbecue sauce and agave ketchup, available at the farm and local retailers. But interpersonal skills are just as important. “We work on professionalism, responsibility, integrity, and a positive attitude, all things that will help these young men get jobs later,” Gordon says. A new gentlemen’s class isn’t part of the curriculum, but more of a conversation about how to treat others.

Beyond that, the teens get a feeling of belonging that’s often missing with kids that age. And they get a paycheck. “Believe me, there’s a lot of energy when we hand them out,” Gordon says. BoysGrow funds its work through donations, corporate sponsorships, guest chef dinners, and events like the annual Farm Fest (on September 21 this year).

FOOD & BEVERAGE JUSTIN HOFFMAN

When Justin Hoffman graduated from Shawnee Mission School District’s Broadmoor Bistro in 2004, did he ever envision returning someday to become an instructor? “Not a chance,” he says with a laugh. He was at New York’s Culinary Institute of America after winning a scholarship for his Butterscotch Praline Streusel Pie, a dessert his instructor, Bob Brassard, helped him perfect. But Hoffman is grateful to be back where he learned his skills, training the next generation.

Since those early days of what Hoffman refers to as home-ec classes, Broadmoor Bistro has earned more than its share of the culinary pie. It’s the only high school culinary center affiliated with the James Beard Foundation, and hundreds of guests show up for its Wednesday night dinners during

When R aven Jemison, president of Kansas City Current, describes the women’s soccer team, her words are as dynamic as her leadership style. “Some people equate us to a rocket ship, but we’re still on the launching

the school year. Forget cafeteria food: this spring’s three-course menu included charred octopus with Romesco sauce, Moroccan lamb ribs, and fig panna cotta. “It’s hands-on training,” Hoffman says. “Students create the menu, prepare the food, and serve tables.”

Guest chef dinners are a highlight for the students and diners. Spending time with professional chefs gives students a chance to network and hear real-world experiences. “They may be saying the same things we’ve been saying all year,” Hoffman says, “but it hits different when it comes from a successful chef.”

Hoffman says the teaching skills he and the other instructors employ have transitioned in the past 14 years he’s been at the center. “We still train the basic techniques, but our chef-based advisory board has encouraged us to work on soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem solving, and

showing up on time. Just like the real world.”

Along with the 10,000-square foot restaurant and kitchen, Broadmoor Bistro has a café serving breakfast goods, coffee drinks, and lunches, and a 1.5-acre farm with an outdoor kitchen. This last addition helped students prepare to compete—and win—in state and national barbecue contests.

RAVEN JEMISON SPORTS

pad,” she says. “People often call women’s sports as having a moment. We want to call it a movement.”

For anyone who’s attended a match at the CPKC stadium, the first stadium built for a women’s professional sports team in the world, the energy is off the charts. “The Longs (Angie and Chris Long, founders and co-owners along with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes) wanted the stadium to be uniquely Kansas City,” Jemison says. That starts with the site. The stadium is the first of several developments restoring the city’s connection with its birthplace at the Missouri River. “It’s more than a destination,” Jemison says. “We’re building a neighborhood here,” which will soon include the KC Riverfront District with residences and retail and the new Levee Park.

Jemison considers this the most excit-

ing phase of her career, which started in management roles for the NHL and the NBA. She wrote about her challenges and successes in her book, More than Representation: The Cheat Code to Own Your Seat at the Table. Cheat Code Number 5 is to collect advocates, something she considers crucial in sports and business.

Add personal health to that list. Jemison was diagnosed with breast cancer soon after joining the Current and shares her progress through social media to encourage other women to be their own advocates. And to ask for help when needed. Her mom has been caring for her for the last few months. “But beyond that, Mom taught me all the things I hope make me a good human as well as a good business professional. Integrity. Character. Humility. Without that foundation, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP NATASHA HERDMAN

While researching ways to help single moms break the chains of poverty, Natasha Herdman recalled her mom’s dog grooming business that brought in good money with a family-friendly flexible schedule.

In 2016, Herdman launched Pawsperity (formerly called the Dog Grooming Project), the nation’s first nonprofit dog grooming school.

From working in women’s shelters, Herdman knew single moms needed good-paying jobs to get them off government assistance like daycare and food stamps. With a 100 percent employment rate, groomers earn $45,000 on average. Top earners can bring in $100,000 a year or more.

Pawsperity offers life-changing help even before the student picks up a dog brush. “We provide individualized care,” says Herdman,

‘‘If done right, good design should be invisible,” says Erika Moody, president of Helix Architecture + Design. “You just know it. You feel it. You move through the spaces intuitively.” Achieving that effortlessness ease starts by listening to the client and thinking about a “day in the life” of peo-

“from transportation and transitional housing to mental health, even reading glasses.” Recruits come from homeless shelters and domestic violence situations. Some are on probation or parole.

During the seven- to nine-month training period, students gain confidence and self-esteem. “Many of these women grew up with neglect and abuse,” Herdman says. “Often they’re hearing words of encouragement for the first time in their lives.”

Participants are often the most vulnerable after graduation, Herdman points out. “By making a living wage, these women are losing welfare subsidies for the first time in their lives. It’s pretty darn scary to take this leap of faith. We set them up with caseworkers and provide emergency cash assistance if needed.”

But the program goes beyond training. When Herdman realized women were showing up hungry so their kids could eat,

she opened an on-site food pantry. To help with housing, Pawsperity built a six-unit, bright and welcoming residence near the grooming center at 58th and Troost Avenue.

Funding comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and government assistance. Herdman is looking forward to a fundraising gala next year to celebrate the organization’s tenth year anniversary.

ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN ERIKA MOODY

ple who will live, play, or work there.

One example is The Crosswalks, a vibrant neighborhood of dwellings and amenities at the intersection of Troost Avenue and Armour Boulevard. The team met with city officials and community members, all with different needs but a shared goal of bringing pride and purpose to a distressed area. The new buildings replaced four parking lots, a rare instance where urban development didn’t displace residents or businesses.

In its early years, Helix was heralded for its thoughtful renovations of gems like the Midland Theatre, the firm is in what Moody calls its “second generation.” The majority women-owned firm has 30 projects on its books for 2025—so far—including groundup structures, reimagining the UMKC Performing Arts Center, and a full-scale reno-

vation of JE Dunn’s headquarters. This last project is significant to Moody; the downtown building was one of her first major commissions 20 years ago.

She attributes the company’s success to a team of 30 gifted people with a 60/40 ratio of architects and interior designers. She says the balance gives Helix an edge in attracting business. “We can focus on both the outside and inside of a structure yet have the same human-centic goal.”

Helix recently moved to the Film Row Building that Shirley Helzberg developed and renovated. “There aren’t many women developers doing what she’s doing, especially in such a quality way that will be enjoyed for generations to come,” Moody says. “It’s our culture as well: planting the seed for the tree for someone else to be shaded under.”

FASHION JOY RHODES

When describing how important fashion is, Joy Rhodes says you may not remember who won an Oscar in any given year, but you can recall what Nicole Kidman or Zendaya wore. As department chair and professor of Fashion Merchandising and Design at Johnson County Community College, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for the art form with students. And it extends beyond designing and making garments. “I want students to consider careers in fashion wherever their interests or talents lie,” she says. “Design, retail, marketing, styling. Worldwide, 300 million people are employed in fashion to some degree.”

Rhodes and her colleagues all have real-world experience in the field, a way to lend credibility to the courses. Not all the teaching

Basketball fans attending the Big 12 Conference Championship at the T-Mobile Center got a taste of what ShotTracker, a sports analytics firm co-founded by Davyeon Ross, can do. The videoboard pinpointed where players made

takes place on campus. Students can intern with local designers, and a work-study program includes summer classes at the Florence University of the Arts. All the credit hours transfer to JCCC.

Rhodes is co-curator for fashion’s equivalent to Fort Knox, a collection of more than 2,200 garments dating back to the 1850s. Labels from Christian Dior and Tom Ford are included along with mini dresses from the 70s that look street-ready for today. “We use some of these pieces in our classroom to inspire de sign,” she says; her hope is that someday there will be funding for an on-site gallery so the collection can be viewed by the public.

In the meantime, Rhodes is content to know this is the only program in the Kansas City metro area teaching fashion in a structured, degree-earning way. Students have

a chance to show off their semester’s work during an annual fashion show that’s open to the public. “But the learning process goes beyond the execution of the collection,” she says. “Students must make a verbal presentation before judges so they learn to communicate their concepts.” Along with an impressive portfolio, the top three designers receive cash awards.

TECHNOLOGY

DAVYEON

ROSS

shots, while interactive games like Tic Tac Toe made for a more exciting fan experience.

ShotTracker started as a tool for coaches to allow them to monitor players’ performances in real time and make adjustments during games. Video reviews make training sessions more effective. And team scouts can identify potential talent and track players’ growth over time. “Coaches get excited because we make their lives easier, it’s as simple as that,” Ross says. “Our program handles some of the more tedious details to let them spend more time on coaching.” The company is testing similar programs for other sports, including soccer and football.

But for now, its focus is on basketball. Several head coaches, including KU’s Bill Self, helped develop the products. One collaborator has extra significance to Ross: Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is now a busi-

ness partner. “Meeting him was surreal,” Ross says. “Growing up in Trinidad and Tabago, we had three TV stations and sometimes they would broadcast the Lakers games. Earvin was my hero and one of the reasons I started playing basketball when I was 16.” Ross earned a scholarship to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he excelled in sports and business.

Ross feels he’s been blessed with the opportunities he’s been given and wants to serve as an example for young people. “We want students to get excited about STEM. The sports aspect makes it cool to think about math.” ShotTracker has hosted groups from Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City and the I Am King Foundation, an organization that helps empower young men. “If we can leverage our platform to inspire youth, our work here has more meaning.”

words by Jenny Vergara

DISHING ON KC’S CLASSIC

&

When we think of classic American dining, diners and drive-ins sit squarely at the heart of the matter. These nostalgic restaurants have been part of American life for the last 140 years. It started as push carts selling food to night owls. Over the decades, it morphed into chrometrimmed diners glowing with neon, drive-ins buzzing with carhops on roller skates, and walk-up windows where you could get breakfast or burgers 24/7. These places soon emerged as essential roadside stops along the highways of a nation on the move.

The diner as we know it was born in the late 19th century, an evolution of the lunch wagon designed to serve quick, hearty meals to factory workers and travelers. Early diners were prefabricated railcar-like buildings, portable, efficient, and affordable. After World War II, the diner’s image shifted—chrome, jukeboxes, and Formica counters were the new norm. They are typically places where you can find truck drivers and teenagers, blue-collar workers and families, all gathering over short orders of bacon and eggs, or a hot slice of pie and a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, the drive-in was a direct product of America’s love affair with the automobile. In the 1920s and ’30s, drive-ins popped up along every major road in and out of town ready to feed a hungry, car-hopping crowd, with trays clipped to car doors and root beer floats delivered on roller skates. They thrived through the 1950s and ’60s, with almost 5,000 drive-in or walk-up window restaurants open nationwide serving everything from breakfast to burgers to banana splits, all without leaving your car.

In Kansas City, our diners and drive-ins reflect not only the larger national trend in affordability, speed, and easy-to-love comfort food, but also show the flavor and history of this region. On road trips through Kansas City, travelers would find small, stand-alone buildings, typically painted white for ease of maintenance and to signal the appearance of cleanliness to road weary travelers, serving regional blue-plate specials with family-owned hospitality.

Our local diners and drive-ins are a colorful patchwork of plates that put them on the map. Some diners here have been serving burgers and plating pancakes since the early days of the car, while others are newer takes on the classic style. Their menus reflect the evolution of comfort food as now seen through the eyes of the immigrant families that purchased the old diners in the 1970s and added their own special spice to the menu. Quesadillas, tacos, and gyros joined the classic menu of cheeseburgers and fries, hearty breakfasts, tenderloin sandwiches, and chicken-fried steak, as well as thick milkshakes topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Today, both diners and drive-ins are more than places to eat, they represent good memories of a bygone era for many who grew up with them. They also serve as a third space for many and are used as meeting spots for late-night stories, post-game bites, and quiet morning coffees. They remind us of another time, and in Kansas City, that sense of nostalgia is still alive and well.

Let’s take a tour of the most beloved diners and drive-ins across our city and beyond, highlighting the dishes that made them famous. These are local places where the past is present.

Town Topic

A Kansas City icon since 1937, Town Topic has two locations downtown, but the tiny white diner on Broadway is a beacon for late-night eats because it is open 24/7. Known for its griddled burgers, fries, tater tots, pies, and shakes (or a combo of the two known as the “pie shake”) and all-night breakfast, this spot is a favorite for night owls and early risers alike. Whether you’re craving a classic cheeseburger or a hot cup of coffee and a slice of one of their many flavors of locally produced Golden Boy pies, Town Topic is a late night/early morning rite of passage for anyone who lives here. towntopic.com

City Diner

The City Diner operates in a long, low-slung white building with classic black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles across from the City Market, bringing comfort to downtown daytime dining. Locals line up before and after the farmers market to get their hearty breakfast platters, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and corned beef hash, while the downtown lunch crowd devours burgers and daily sandwich specials. With big portions and a warm welcome, City Diner is a blast from the past. citydinerkcmo.com

The Snack Shack

The little white building has a real throwback diner feel, which is one of the reasons The Snack Shack on Johnson Drive relocated from downtown Overland Park to Mission, Kansas. They are most known for their beloved hand-spun milkshakes and fresh made-to-order burgers. This gem channels a 1950s vibe, complete with stainless steel, retro booths, bar stools, and a menu loaded with classics like burgers, fries, onion rings, and creamy shakes in every flavor you can imagine. instagram.com/ thesnackshackonjohnsondrive

Old 56 Family Restaurant

Old 56 Family Restaurant has been a fixture along historic Highway 56 since 1956. Its exterior and booths have been updated in recent years, while the menu sticks to tried-andtrue favorites, including hearty breakfast platters, malted waffles, and patty melts and fries. This spot located near the New Century airport is a nostalgic stop for travelers and locals alike. old56familyrestaurant.com

Dagwood’s Cafe

Dagwood’s Cafe has two locations: one in Raytown, Missouri, and the other in the Rosedale neighborhood on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas. It's the very definition of a working man or woman’s favorite neighborhood place to fuel up. Founded in 1938, the turquoise-and-white building is best known for its massive breakfasts, piles of eggs, bacon, and biscuits, and its daily blue-plate specials. Regulars love their open-face roast beef sandwiches and burgers. Its classic American fare and oldschool charm make Dagwood’s a reliable stop for comfortfood lovers. dagwoodscafe.com

Town Topic

City Diner

Dagwood’s Cafe

The Snack Shack Old 56 Family Restaurant

Christy’s Tasty Queen

This humble drive-in with a walk-up window has been feeding customers in Kansas City, Kansas, since 1983. Christy’s Tasty Queen is known for its crispy pork tenderloin sandwich, seasoned Suzy-Q fries, and tasty flavored shakes. It’s the quick and efficient service that keeps regulars coming back. What began as a family-run venture by Lowell and Marla Christy quickly became a local legend—thanks in no small part to their famously oversized pork tenderloin sandwiches that practically spill off the bun. With its walk-up window and just a few shaded picnic tables, Christy’s doesn’t need bells or whistles. The food speaks for itself. Add a thick peanut butter malt, and you’ve got a roadside classic that feels like summer, all year long. christys-tasty-queen.site

Ray’s Lunch in Excelsior Springs

Ray’s Lunch, identified by its iconic red-and-white striped awning and retro sign, has been serving their customers in Excelsior Springs since 1947. Known for a breakfast specialty called The Garbage Sandwich that has an egg, your choice of bacon or sausage, hashbrowns, and American cheese on a bun, they also make omelets, burgers, and sandwich specialties. Ray’s is an unpretentious spot that’s all about good food and hometown warmth. The counter stools and short-order grill make it a time capsule of sorts, where every bite comes with a side of nostalgia. rayslunch.com

Humdinger Drive-In

A giant sign that sits on top of the Humdinger Drive-In reads: “Ever Eat Here?” Take it as more of an invitation than a question. Tucked into Kansas City’s Northeast neighborhood, Humdinger Drive-In has been dishing out their dishes since 1962. This storied drive-in with a walk-up window is known for its legendary Big Kahuna, a hearty hoagie-style sandwich piled high with two eggs, cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and hot sauce, as well as its roster of classic burgers, tacos, Italian steak and sausage sandwiches, chili dogs, and oversized pork tenderloins. For 63 years, this no-fuss spot has been a neighborhood anchor, delivering fast, flavorful comfort food that feels timeless. facebook. com/humdingerfoodtruck

Mugs-Up Drive In

A summer institution in Independence, Missouri, since 1956, Mugs-Up is one of the last true carhop experiences in the city. It serves chili dogs and the famed loose-meat Zip Burger—similar to a traditional burger, just using cooked and seasoned crumbled ground beef instead of a patty— which is then topped with a mix of mustard, onions, and pickles that delivers a punch of flavor. To go with your Zip Burger, you must order either a glass of root beer or a float. The frosty mugs and carhop service transport you straight to the 1950s. It’s the perfect spot for a classic cruise-in meal. mugs-up-root-beer.menu-world.com

Christy’s Tasty Queen

Humdinger Drive-In

Ray’s Lunch

Mugs-Up Drive In

Ray’s Lunch

Johnny Ray’s Drive-In in Lee’s Summit

Johnny Ray moved to Lee’s Summit in 1948, and in 1956 after returning home from the Korean War, he bought the old Winstead’s Drive-In located in Lee’s Summit, renamed it Johnny Ray’s Drive-In, and the rest is history. A beloved family-run spot, Johnny Ray’s is known for its fresh-ground steakburgers, fried-chicken sandwiches with Suzy Q fries, and creamy pineapple or black raspberry milkshakes. This classic drive-in has all of the charm of a diner with big portions to boot, which has made it a go-to for locals since 1956. johnnyraysdrivein.com

Nelle Belle’s Diner

The bright pink diner in Claycomo is known as a Valentine diner—a prefab building kit that came with everything you needed to run a diner. Invented in the 1930s by Arthur Valentine in Hazelton, Kansas, these buildings were shipped all over the country. Nelle Belle has been in operation since 1965, and employees at the nearby Ford plant and Claycomo locals have made this pink pit-stop popular. Nelle Belle’s Diner is a cozy neighborhood spot that’s been slinging hash and flipping pancakes for years. Regulars swear by the biscuits and gravy and the classic Reuben sandwich. It’s a diner in the truest sense—friendly service, hot coffee, and a warm, no-fuss atmosphere. facebook.com/nellebelles.diner.1

Hayes Hamburger and Chili

Just off Antioch Road, Hayes Hamburger and Chili has been serving up no-frills comfort food since 1955. This old-school joint is beloved by locals for its throwback vibe—complete with a counter, spinning stools, and a sizzling griddle always at work. While the name gives it away, the real stars here are the mini hamburgers and the classic chili. The burgers are griddled to perfection, tucked into soft buns, and served with onions and pickles—simple, satisfying, and nostalgic. But don’t skip the chili: it’s thick, meaty, and just the right kind of spicy, ladled over fries, dogs, or eaten straight with a spoon. hayes-hamburger-and-chili.foodjoyy.com

Winstead’s

A Kansas City institution since 1940, Winstead's has only two locations remaining, including its iconic spot just east of the Country Club Plaza. Winstead’s is famous for its steakburgers—thin, crispy patties piled high on toasted buns that can be ordered with 50/50, or half fries and half tots. The Art Deco-inspired dining room, green and pink neon sign, and frosted malts make every visit a step back in time. Don’t miss their legendary skyscraper milkshake, tall enough to share (but good enough to keep for yourself). winsteadssteakburger.com

Johnny Ray’s Drive-In

Nelle Belle’s Diner Hayes Hamburger and Chili

Winstead’s

He’ll Take the Plaza Views

INTERIOR DESIGNER KURT KNAPSTEIN REIMAGINES A CONTEMPORARY CONDO

It ’s not unusual for Kansas City designer Kurt Knapstein to see the opportunity to bring out the best in a home, as well as put his personal stamp on his own. He has lived in newer houses and renovated older ones. His most recent renovation is a condominium with striking views of the Country Club Plaza.

Knapstein’s previous home, which was featured on these pages, was an elegant Tudor on a gracious street in Kansas City. While he loved the house, he thought it was time for a move.

“I decided I wanted to downsize,” he says. “I work so much and like

words by Patricia O’Dell

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

Walls of windows with stunning views south, east, and west wrap the condominium just north of the Country Club Plaza. Opposite: Designer Kurt Knapstein at his front door, which is upholstered in leather and trimmed with nickel-nailhead details.

Right In the living room, the polished stainlesssteel coffee table is flanked by a pair of barrel chairs upholstered in printed velvet and a pleated-leather chaise longue. Below, left: Dramatic details abound in the foyer, from the silver-leaf ceiling to the black Venetian plaster walls to the Katherine Glover gold-leaf painting. Below, right: Knapstein’s study walls are clad in a textural flocked wallcovering. Opposite: A trio of faceted black-stained rift oak bookcases in the study display books, art, travel finds, and childhood mementos.

Above: A wall of high-gloss Macassar ebony cabinets faces the open living space. On the left, a wall of Crystallo quartzite displays a TV and melds with the counter of black Galaxy granite. Left: Knapstein tucked the mirror-backed bar into a corner of the kitchen. Opposite: In the dining room, a Hunt Slonem painting hangs above a mirrored console. The round rug is custom.

to travel, so I thought it made sense to have a home that is easy to lock and leave.”

He found the perfect spot situated on a hill on the north side of the Plaza. His space comprises half the 11th floor with views to the south, east and west. While the condominium was in wonderful shape, Knapstein could see ways to make it function better. “It was a white box with natural maple hardwood floors and the original bathrooms,” he says. “And in some ways, it wasn’t very functional.”

Space planning is one of Knapstein’s gifts. “I could see the changes in my head immediately,” he says.

With his vision in place, the work began. “I wanted it to swing,” he says. “I wanted it to be sexy as hell.”

Turns out, it is. Dark, gleaming hardwood floors provide a rich foundation throughout the home. Richly textured upholstered furniture in the living room makes a strong statement with clean lines and classic details, enhanced by dramatic stone, Venetian plaster walls, and understated lighting.

Knapstein threw in a few curve balls with the round rug under

the dining table and the curvy end table. Crystal lighting gleams, both in the Baccarat chandelier over the dining table and the geometric lamp by the sofa.

Knapstein gutted the kitchen and both bathrooms, creating quintessentially urban chic spaces. In the kitchen, the main cabinets are high gloss, and marble finds its place here as well, covering both walls and countertops. Stainless appliances against high-gloss Macassar ebony cabinets make cooking or even just “fixing” (which might entail

Above: The stunning primary bathroom is wrapped in Silver Wave marble in different formations—slab on the countertop, geometric tile on the floor, and 12’-by-24’ tile on the walls. Opposite: Knapstein kept the built-in closets in the primary bedroom, but had them clad in a chenille wallcovering.

opening containers) look chic. It certainly deserves a cheerful toast from one of the bottles stored in the wine refrigerator.

He reimagined the hall bath and added an additional doorway in the hall to open into the second bedroom, which he uses as a study. For the primary bath, every surface is clad in Silver Wave marble—walls, floor, and ceiling, “I knew I wanted marble, so I started with the mosaic floor,” he says. “Then I chose tile for the walls, and—with the help of one of the trade supply houses—located slabs for the vanity top.”

The primary bedroom is expansive when the curtains are open, a full wall of windows showing off a fantastic view of the Plaza. But when it’s time to turn in, Knapstein barely needs to raise a hand to make the blackout shades on every window lower to create a cozy cave.

“The entire place is automated, so it’s easy to control. When I leave, I can hit one button, and every light goes off and every shade lowers.”

Has Knapstein created the space he wanted here? “Key was for it to be an ideal place to entertain. Well, not even to entertain, I just wanted a great place to live.”

Job well done.

THE IT LIST

Interior Design Knapstein Design 816-562-0701

Stone Dimensional Stoneworks dimensionalstoneworks.com

Kitchen Cabinets Kitchens by Kleweno kleweno.com

Bring helpful to your home. Bring helpful to your home. Bring helpful to your home.

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES CELEBRATING LOCAL

Here’s to the Lady Bosses Who Elevate Our City

Celebrating 21 Years as Kansas City’s Design Destination

Geri Higgins, the visionary Founder and President of Portfolio Kitchen & Home, has redefined the art of kitchen and home design through her innovative and deeply personalized approach. Raised and educated in Connecticut, Higgins brings a distinctive fusion of Northeast flair and Midwest sensibility to every project, creating spaces that are both timeless and regionally attuned.

Under her dynamic leadership, Portfolio Kitchen & Home has emerged as one of the Midwest’s premier design destinations,

Owner: Geri Higgins

In Business Since: 2004

portfolio-home.com •816.363.5300 215 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO

recognized with numerous accolades for excellence in renovation, restoration, and new construction. The firm’s showroom is located across from Kansas City’s iconic Union Station, features a curated collections of unique materials and sophisticated design solutions, drawing discerning clients from across the region.

Higgins’ client-centered philosophy and commitment to design excellence have fostered lasting relationships and affirmed Portfolio’s reputation in kitchen and home design.

LOOK—THE DOCTORS MED SPA

How to Choose the Right Med Spa: What Sets LOOK Apart

With the rise of aesthetic treatments, med spas are everywhere—but not all are created equal. The real question isn’t just what’s being done, but who is directing the care and performing the injections.

At LOOK—The Doctors Med Spa, medical oversight is led by Dr. Melinda Dunn, a physician with over 15 years of experience— ten in family medicine and the last five fully dedicated to aesthetic medicine. Dr. Dunn doesn’t simply lend her name; she actively treats patients and visits both of LOOK’s Kansas locations weekly. When was the last time the medical director at another med spa checked in on your care?

All injectable treatments at LOOK are performed exclusively by

In Business Since: 2025

LOOKMedSpas.com • 913-456-LOOK

Hawthorne: 5037 W 119th St., Overland Park, KS 66209

Mission: 5417 Johnson Drive, Mission KS 66205

licensed nurses or doctors. No shortcuts. No unqualified hands.

The staff brings a range of professional backgrounds—dermatology, human resources, social work—creating a well-rounded, client-first approach. The treatment menu is intentionally streamlined to focus on what delivers real results—no fluff, just impact

On the business side, LOOK is led by Laura Kathleen Baker, a seasoned entrepreneur known for building elevated, distinctive brands. Together, Dr. Dunn and Baker have created a med spa experience that stands apart—where medical integrity meets intentional business design.

Experience the difference at LOOK.

Left to right: Managing Partner

Laura Kathleen Baker and Medical Director Dr. Melinda Dunn

Kristie Pettibone launched Wild Plains with a vision: to create a space where the wonder of childhood meets thoughtful design. As a mother and creative, she saw the need for a shop that balanced joy, style and intention—a space for everyday adventures and tiny milestones alike.

The Kansas-based store is visually split down the middle: one half “Wild,” bursting with bold prints, playful patterns and unexpected treasures; the other “Plains,” inspired by the sweeping calm of the tallgrass prairie, with soft textures and earth tones. It’s a nod to the beauty of contrasts—just like childhood itself.

Wild Plains carries over 50 brands from around the world, from the sun-kissed coasts of Australia to the charming streets of Poland. Each piece is carefully sourced from small, eco-minded makers. The majority of brands use organic materials—because style should feel

Owner: Kristie Pettibone In Business Since: 2024

shopwildplains.com •9421 Mission Road, Leawood, KS 66206 Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 6 pm | Saturday: 9am – 3pm

good in more ways than one.

The back of the store offers a thoughtfully designed play space, inviting kids to explore while parents shop. It’s a space that encourages connection, imagination and slowing down—proof that a retail experience can be both beautiful and family-friendly.

Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, packing for a family getaway or simply looking for pieces that spark joy, Wild Plains brings together thoughtful finds for childhood’s many chapters. From everyday staples to standout gifts, each item is chosen with care—for how it looks, how it feels and the story it tells.

Wherever your next adventure takes you, Wild Plains is ready— with pieces that are as unique, curious and wild-hearted as the kids who wear them.

Curated with Love: For Curious Minds. Wild Hearts.

WILD PLAINS CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE

Live Well // Dress Well

Founded in 2020 by Joni Johnson, Clairvaux is a specialty women’s fashion boutique focused on emerging and heritage designers that reflect Johnson’s desire to blend “Parisian chic with California cool.”

Driven by a vision to help women look and feel their best, Clairvaux provides an unhurried and inviting environment offering carefully curated ready-to-wear clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. Clients are supported by a dedicated, knowledgeable staff prepared for everything from a personal styling session to a full-closet review and edit.

Johnson travels the world attending markets in New York,

Owners: Joni Johnson In Business Since: 2020

shopclairvaux.com •913-499-6660

Fairway: 2710 W 53rd St., Fairway, KS 66205

Hawthorne Plaza:11934 Roe Ave, Overland Park, KS 66209

Los Angeles, Copenhagen and Paris to bring the best designers to Kansas City. “I love curating collections that inspire me,” she says. “When you come into Clairvaux, you can always expect to discover emerging talent and products that are best-in-class. It’s also really important to me that there are a variety of price points. No matter what your age or budget you will love what you find at Clairvaux.”

Two flagship locations in Fairway and Overland Park serve the Kansas City metro, while ShopClairvaux.com carefully packs and ships designer styles nationwide. We invite you to join us in discovering your personal style and live our mission to Live Well // Dress Well.

CLAIRVAUX

BLACKBIRD COLLECTION

A Consciously Curated Lifestyle

Born and raised in Independence, Amy Appleton—founder of Blackbird Collection—has lived a life shaped by style, adventure, and advocacy.

Her journey began while pursuing a degree in business marketing, including a formative period studying in Australia that sparked a lifelong passion for exploration. After graduating, she waited tables to fund backpacking trips around the globe—an education in humanity, she says, no classroom could offer.

A decade-long modeling career followed, eventually evolving into successful work in styling, art direction, and interior design.

With Blackbird Collection—her gallery-like fashion and interiors shop in the Crossroads—Appleton offers a sophisticated, comfortable, and timeless approach to style.

“At Blackbird, we aim to educate and shift the perception from being

Owner: Amy Appleton

In Business Since: 2024

blackbirdcollection.com •816-603-2141

122 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Wednesday – Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm

trendy to being truly stylish,” Appleton says. “We have conversations that inspire small but meaningful changes in how Americans consume clothing. We’re a throwaway culture, and that narrative must change if we want a future.”

She champions climate-conscious brands and advocates for minorities and women. Through empowerment events and curated gatherings, she creates space for women from all walks of life to connect, celebrate individuality, and uplift one another.

“It’s essential to support people and brands with purpose—those who are working to create change in a world still largely dominated by white men,” she says.

Despite her wide-ranging career, Appleton considers being a devoted mother her most rewarding role.

Your Complete Design + Build Solution

Karin Ross has over 25 years in the field experience when it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodeling and new build projects. Karin’s European background influences her style and passion for clean and elegant looks. She is famous for creating stunning transitional and authentic European styles.

When walking into a new kitchen or bathroom created by Karin Ross Designs, your eye will be pleasantly surprised at the harmony achieved between all the elements involved in the project.

From paint color to the very last detail, Karin goes above and beyond to make sure she captured the client’s desires and needs into the newly created space. “Our designs are elegant but functional” says Ross as the company transforms one kitchen or bathroom at a time. “We listen to our client whether their per -

Owner: Karin Ross

sonal style is traditional, classic, contemporary, or transitional, and we make it our passion to take their ideas and make them into a beautiful and inspiring environment for their homes. We travel extensively to find sources for new products and to continually connect with the best-of-the-best vendors, artisans, and craftspeople. We offer the customer great values on every design element from fine cabinetry to floor covering and the best designs in lighting.”

Services include an in-house designer and a project manager who work together and just happen to be the dynamic duo of husband and wife. Together they ensure every detail reflects your personal style and they create your dream kitchen or bath. Your satisfaction is their goal.

KARIN ROSS DESIGNS

Joyful Self Expression for an Elevated Home and Lifestyle

Sarah Brown has always had an eye for design, with a focus on texture, traditional elements, and thoughtful trends that elevate everyday living. With Blair and Blythe, she brings her vision to life—offering approachable yet refined décor and design for every season, occasion, and home.

Blair and Blythe opened on February 15, 2025, in a new storefront featuring a curated collection of luxury tabletop and home brands, an in-store interior design studio, and a comprehensive sample library. The shop blends timeless hospitality with joyful self-expression, pairing enduring classics with tasteful, trend-forward accents.

Blair and Blythe was created around the belief that home is both a foundation and a reflection of the life one hopes to lead. The store offers exclusive access to premier traditional home lines and seasonal trend capsules designed to inspire individual style. Each collection is carefully selected to serve as a backdrop for vibrant living—balancing legacy with personality.

As a premier destination for tabletop and home in Kansas City, Blair and Blythe invites clients to explore elevated essentials, international brands, and curated statement pieces that define a space. It’s a place where quality meets creativity—and where everyone is invited to take a seat at the table.

Owner: Sarah Brown

In Business Since: 2023

blairandblythe.com

4812 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS 66205

Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 2 pm

BLAIR AND BLYTHE

Owner: Jen

In Business Since: 2018

InspiredClosetsKC.com•913-730-3000

13745 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66223

INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS OF DESIGN Design, Creativity, and Absolute Quality

International Materials of Design provides unique tile and stone choices for discerning builders, designers and homeowners. Its foundation rests on consistent quality- quality product, quality design, quality service.

Co-owners Amy Sanders and Cindy Cleveland consistently maintain the unparalleled quality and service standards laid by the founders more than 30 years ago.

Those who seek international flavor, simple elegance, dramatic flare, period motif, and more, make International Materials of Design their first choice.

Clients are welcome to visit our showroom to handle and experience these treasures brought in from all over the world.

INSPIRED CLOSETS

Calm Your Chaos

As the owner of Inspired Closets Kansas City, Jen Macias-Wetzel thrives in transforming often-overlooked yet frequently used spaces into luxurious, functional areas that enhance everyday living.

Life gets messy—your home doesn’t have to. Whether you crave a closet overhaul, a garage transformation, or a multifunctional guest room/office with a space-saving Murphy bed, Inspired Closets delivers custom solutions tailored to your lifestyle and budget.

Tame chaos in entryways, laundry rooms, and pantries with smart, stylish organization designed for real life. Macias-Wetzel and her expert team blend premium materials and innovative layouts to turn cluttered spaces into serene, functional retreats.

Ready to reclaim your home? Schedule a free consultation today and let Inspired Closets bring order—and peace of mind—to every corner.

Owners: Amy Sanders and Cindy Cleveland

In Business Since: 1976 imdtile.com •913.383.3383 4691 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, KS

Macias-Wetzel

Owners: Heather Bortnick & Kathy Koehler In Business Since: 1993

kbsells.com •913-239-2069 5000 West 135th Street, Leawood KS

LULU’S THAI NOODLE SHOP

Family & Flavor: The Woman Behind Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop

The story of Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop is rooted in family. Every dish they create began with Malisa Monyakula’s grandmother and father in Bangkok. Hoping to recreate the warmth of those family gatherings in her new Midwest home, Monyakula opened the first Lulu’s in 1997. Today, Lulu’s has grown to multiple vibrant locations across the city.

In addition to leading Lulu’s, Monyakula is a principal at Midtown Signs, reflecting her broader role as a business leader in Kansas City. She believes in giving back for all she’s received through local outreach efforts, including partnerships with the Kansas City Current and Women Leaders in Sports. Monyakula and the Lulu’s team are proud to support organizations working to create positive change in the community.

BORTNICK

Leading With Results. Powered by Women.

The Koehler Bortnick Team is proud to be part of Kansas City’s thriving community of women-owned businesses. While other markets may be slowing down, Kansas City—and this team—continue to move full speed ahead. In April alone, the team sold over $63 million in real estate, surpassing that with $71 million in May. With more than 30 years of experience, CEO Kathy Koehler and President Heather Bortnick lead with passion and a steady hand, guiding clients through one of life’s most significant decisions. Known for combining deep market expertise with a personal, client-first approach, the Koehler Bortnick Team ensures every buyer and seller feels confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.

Owner: Malisa Monyakula In Business Since: 1997

lulusnoodles.com • Crossroads, Westwood, Overland Park

Hours: M–Th 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12–9pm

KOEHLER

Founder: Amanda Watters Year Founded: 2020

homesongmarket.com

•816-400-0778

337 E 55th St, Kansas City, MO 64113

BILLIE’S GROCERY

Health Food Redefining Indulgence

Billie’s Grocery, nestled in the heart of Midtown, Kansas City, and at the Ranchmart in Leawood, KS, is a culinary oasis created by Robin Krause, the innovative mind behind Apothé Wellness Herbs and Billie’s Juicery. Robin’s expertise as a Nutritional Therapist Practitioner and Certified Herbalist shines through in the carefully crafted menu focused on mostly organic, nutrient-dense eats. Billie’s isn’t just about health food; it’s a vibrant hub of global flavors inspired by Robin’s travels. Enjoy post-workout smoothies, exotic Turkish eggs, an iconic NY street-style Reuben, a tender, slow-cooked carnitas burrito bursting with bold flavor, a fan favorite, sesame chicken salad and tons of gluten-free treats! Billie’s Grocery stands out with its commitment to quality ingredients, warm atmosphere, and diverse menu. Whether you’re a health enthusiast or a flavor fanatic, Billie’s Grocery offers an unforgettable culinary experience that celebrates wholesome deliciousness.

HOMESONG MARKET

Creating Timeless Collections That Blend Old and New

Homesong Market is a thoughtfully curated shop rooted in the art of intentional living. Founded by Amanda Watters, the store offers a warm blend of vintage finds, timeless homewares, and seasonal goods that invite a slower, more meaningful rhythm into daily life. Each collection reflects Watters’ eye for craftsmanship, beauty, and utility—whether it’s hand-thrown ceramics, heirloom linens, or small-batch apothecary items. Inspired by the comforts of home and the stories objects carry, Homesong Market encourages customers to create spaces filled with soul, simplicity, and connection. With rotating flea markets and limited collections, the shop fosters a sense of discovery, honoring both tradition and modern sensibility. Homesong Market is not just a store— it’s an invitation to cultivate home as a grounding, beautiful sanctuary.

Owner: Robin Krause

In Business Since: 2020

billiesgrocery.com •816.683.4400

3216 Gillham Plaza, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO

Owner: Kristyn Iman

In Business Since: 2021 design-spout.com •816-651-7590

1600 Genessee St, Ste 418 Kansas City, MO 64102

STAFFING KANSAS CITY

New Look. Same Expert Recruiters.

After 26 years of connecting Kansas City businesses with top-tier talent, Staffing Kansas City is still delivering results—now with a fresh new look. As a woman-owned, WBE-certified firm, they’ve proudly partnered with small businesses since day one, helping them find the right talent the first time.

They’re not just about filling roles—they’re about creating winwin-win outcomes for clients, candidates, and the community. Their expert recruiters take the time to understand your business, your culture, and your goals to deliver talent that fits and sticks.

Staffing Kansas City’s look may have changed, but their mission hasn’t: expert recruiting, personal service, and long-standing partnerships that drive success.

DESIGN SPOUT

Timeless Interior Design with a Fashionable Touch

Founded by Kristyn Iman in Kansas City, Design Spout is a fullservice interior design firm dedicated to transforming your vision into beautifully curated spaces. Specializing in residential and hospitality projects, the firm sees each one through from schematic design to thoughtfully crafted finishing touches.

Before launching Design Spout, Iman built her expertise at a major sports and hospitality firm, as well as one focused on high-end residential and multifamily design. Now, with 18 years of experience, she and her team excel at creating highly detailed interiors and collaborate regularly with top-tier architects and contractors.

Inspired by fashion, Iman believes interiors often follow fashion trends. By connecting these two creative worlds, she brings energy and depth to her work. While fashion evolves, Iman grounds her designs in the architectural style of the space and the client’s goals—ensuring each project stands the test of time.

Owners: Shelley Seibolt and Roses Ammon

In Business Since: 1998

staffingkc.com •913-663-5627

10650 Roe Ave, Ste 182, Overland Park, KS 66207

Owner: Cindy Barnhill

In Business Since: 2002 peartreedesignantiques.com

•816-333-2100

303 E. 55th Street, Kansas City, MO Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm

JORJY

Living in Color

Pam DiCapo has long been a creative force in Kansas City’s retail and design community. Since opening her beloved baby boutique, Lauren Alexandra, in 1994 she has curated a world of beauty, warmth, and refined style for families and their homes.

In 2019, she introduced Jorjy—a lifestyle and home design boutique—nestled beside Lauren Alexandra in the heart of Brookside. Jorjy offers a vibrant, elevated take on interiors, infused with color, creativity, and personality.

The shop features a thoughtfully edited collection of wallpaper, textiles, art, and home accessories—each piece chosen to inspire and delight. Jorjy also provides bespoke interior design services, helping clients create spaces that reflect their individual spirit with elegance and ease.

With both boutiques just steps apart, guests can enjoy a seamless experience—from the softness and wonder of childhood at Lauren Alexandra to the expressive and artful world of home design at Jorjy—all within one beautifully curated destination.

PEAR TREE DESIGN & ANTIQUES

A Taste of European Charm

Located in the historic Crestwood Shops, Pear Tree Design & Antiques has been a destination for French and English antiques for many years. Owner Cindy Barnhill has a passion and an eye for antiquities for the home and garden along with a lovely selection of gift lines, many from abroad as well.

The shop is brimming with treasures that Barnhill discovers on her frequent buying trips to Europe and England where she unearths pieces that find their way to Kansas City’s homes and gardens. Along with her team, she provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the shop with excellent customer service, a strong on-line presence, and shipping that’s never an issue.

Whether you are drawn to traditional or contemporary design, Pear Tree has that touch of European charm that will be the pièce de résistance in your home and garden.

In Business Since: 2019

shopjorjy.com

•816-561-2272 320 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO Mon.–Sat. 10am–5:30pm •Sun. 11am–3pm

Owner: Pam DiCapo

Project: Sunset Hill Custom Build | Designer: Richard Lippincott

by Jenny Vergara

Reservation for One ZERO ZERO HANDMADE PASTA

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

What started as a pandemic side quest for Mitch Fagan and his girlfriend and now business partner, Leah Steinberg—making and selling fresh pasta under the name Zero Zero Pasta from their home—grew into a 500-square-foot retail storefront located in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood where they sell fresh, handmade pasta and pasta sauces and teach pasta-making classes to a loyal following. Customers can also find their pasta at farmers markets across the metro.

The couple recently added another service to their pasta-shop offerings—a restaurant serving dinner Thursday through Saturday and lunch Saturday and Sunday. What they lack in space, they make up for in a delightfully intimate and delicious bistro experience. With only 12 indoor

seats, available by reservation only, and 12 outdoor parklet seats reserved for walk-ins, reservations are definitely recommended.

Fagan was a third-year medical student at Kansas City University when the couple first started making pasta from their home. He recently finished his emergency medicine residency and has accepted a full-time position in Chicago. Steinberg is also busy. She’s the president of Steinberg Sustainability Solutions, a full-service marketing and business consulting business in Chicago. The two of them moved there during Fagan’s residency program and have decided to stay. However, they both have been traveling back and forth to Kansas City regularly during the last three years to manage their pasta-making empire.

Even though the couple doesn’t live in Kansas City, they aren’t thinking of winding down the business they’ve built here. They ac-

Greenery-filled planters define the outdoor seating at Zero Zero.

knowledge they’ve been able to continue to grow Zero Zero Pasta with the help of a dedicated team who keep the lights on, the shelves stocked, and the people fed. An important member of the team is the executive chef, Kaylee Dunnagan, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, who has a real passion for pasta and is executing a small, curated menu within a tiny kitchen.

Located in the former Fervere Bread space at 1720 Summit Street, you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the 12 tables and chairs packed into the two parking spots in front, shaded by a massive umbrella and defined by greenery-filled planter boxes. The building is clad in casually distressed white-painted brick. Upon first glance, it looks like it was always meant to be a charming little neighborhood bistro.

Arriving at 5 p.m. for dinner on a Thursday, I passed a patio that was already packed with people. The conversational buzz quieted down just slightly once inside. The expertly curated background music playlist was a really fun mix of old and new songs. A large counter separates the kitchen from the dining area, with four two-top tables in the room. Four seats span the picture window, so if the inside tables are full, it would be a total party given the close quarters. Here in the Midwest we’ve grown used to having plenty of space between restaurant tables for privacy, yet restaurants in bigger

Flavor IN KC

cities often utilize every ounce of expensive real estate.

The intimate marble cafe tables provide just enough room for two people to dine together, while providing a bird’s-eye view into the kitchen, cocktail bar, and server station.

The restaurant team has produced a curated, completely seasonal menu of four appetizers, three pasta dishes, and two desserts. It’s clear that the goal of the menu is to fully introduce you to the handmade pasta and house-made sauces. There are five classic cocktails (spritz, negroni, old fashioned, Manhattan, and a Paper Plane) and spirit-free drinks. There’s a small but surprising selection of house wines, including sparkling, white, and red, in addition to a reserve list by the glass or bottle of mostly old-world French and Italian wines to pair with your meal.

From the house wine list, I ordered a glass of the Barbera d’Alba Paolo

Scavino 2022 to go with my first course. Its silky finish, violet-scented nose, and cherry and berry flavors had excellent balance and length. A glass of Domaine de Chateaumar Cuvée Bastien Cotes du Rhone 2022 made from 100-percent Grenache grapes accompanied my main course; its elegant finish paired perfectly with my rich pasta dish. Proper wine stems are used, and the reds are served at the perfect cellar temperature between 62 and 65 degrees, rather than at room temperature.

Prosciutto arancini, focaccia bread, a Caesar salad, and meatballs in pomodoro, made with a mixture of pork and beef that came from local supplier Barham Family Farm, made up the antipasti selections.

With very little meat found on the menu in general, my glass of red wine demanded the meatballs in red sauce to start. The three, golf ballsized meatballs were so tender my fork easily sliced through. Bathed in

Clockwise from top left: Mushroom ricotta capalletti. There's banquette seating along a brick wall. Spicy vodka radiatori. Seating is tucked into the diminutive space wherever possible, including four window-facing spots.

a well-seasoned tomato sauce consisting of San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, onions, and basil sprinkled with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, it tasted like Sunday supper at your Nonna’s house, sweet and familiar.

Two pastas were recommended by my server from the three that were on offer. First, the lumache alla Norcina made with Barham Family Farm Italian sausage. This roughly translates to “snail-shaped pasta from the town of Norcia in the Umbrian region of Italy” where this dish is a specialty. The star of this dish was the pretty, shell-shaped pasta cooked to a perfect al dente, then tossed in a stick-to-your-ribs sauce of sautéed Italian sausage and mushrooms in a white wine-based cream sauce. The earthiness of the sausage and mushrooms toned down the richness of the creamy, white-wine sauce.

The spicy vodka radiatori, made with small, radiator-shaped pasta tossed in a fiery vodka red sauce, then dolloped with stracciatella-cheese foam on three corners and dusted with Parmigiano Reggiano, was a fitting finish. The spice provided a nice, steady heat that was intensely welcomed after an entire bowl of the rich, white-wine lumache alla Norcina sauce.

A human-sized slice of Basque cheesecake drizzled with a fresh strawberry sauce finished the meal. Cooked to golden brown on top, the dessert was sweet perfection.

This is not a pasta shop playing restaurant, friends. This is a neighborhood restaurant that uses the pasta they make and sell to create a dazzling menu daily. The details are all there at Zero Zero Pasta for a casual, but intimate, night out. zerozeropastakc.com

A chalkboard menu reveals the pasta specialties of the day.

by Jenny Vergara photo by Bridget Chang

In Your Cocktail SOMETHING GOOD

The downtown bar scene just got something new, located in Kansas City’s downtown Garment District.

Something Good, the brainchild of Greta Gunderson, opened in late June at 800 Broadway Boulevard, bringing an elevated dive bar to the historic Carnival Building’s garden level. It is a space that is not fully in the basement of the building, but also not part of the standard first floor. Something Good lives somewhere in-between the two.

Gunderson also owns Son of a Gun, a cousin to Something Good, a bar she opened in Columbia, Missouri, where she went to school. For this project, it’s all about striking a balance between fun and familiarity in a local neighborhood bar setting.

“My tagline for this space is ‘fun, not fancy,’” she explained. “We are serving our neighbors, those who live or work downtown, and that means we’ll have someone drinking a classic cocktail sitting next to

someone drinking a glass of white wine talking to someone drinking a yard beer. Everyone is welcome.”

But Something Good isn’t trying to be everything, it’s just aiming to be exactly what the neighborhood needs. “I kept an apartment in downtown Kansas City for the last few years, and I had a hard time finding a place that was that comfortable middle ground—a bar where you feel like a regular from the moment you walk in.”

Inside Something Good, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Leather couches and high-top tables give the room a lived-in feel, while a long, 25-foot bar invites conversation and camaraderie. A photo booth in the corner promises late-night shenanigans, and a pool table and board games ensure there’s always a reason to linger a little longer.

Drinks are designed to be straightforward yet satisfying. The menu features four draft beers, always made in Missouri, alongside a thoughtful selection of canned and bottled brews. Wine will be available by the

Hotter in Hell

glass, with a rotating selection of something red, white, pink, and bubbly. The cocktail list is classic but with a subtle twist: think old fashioneds with interesting house-made bitters and seasonally inspired drinks that lean into summer’s easygoing spirit. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” says Gunderson. “It’s about doing the basics well, with just a little something extra.”

The food served here is similarly unfussy—tasty hot dogs with fun toppings, sandwiches, and house-made potato chips topped with caviar for a playful upscale touch. “It’s not a restaurant,” she emphasizes. “We’re a bar first. But we have some good things to nibble on when guests get hungry.”

Gunderson’s journey to Something Good has taken her from bottle service to bartending in Missouri to managing nightclubs in Nashville and Chicago. She opened Son of a Gun in Columbia in 2023, and while she’s been splitting her time between both concepts, Something Good feels like a homecoming. “I grew up in Nebraska, but Kansas City has always been where I come back to,” she says. “It’s been really special to watch this neighborhood grow and to be part of that.”

What she’s most excited about, though, is the sense of community she hopes to create in her newly opened bar. “I’m a woman of the people,” she says with a smile. “I want this to be a place where everyone feels welcome, where we can flex and evolve as the neighborhood does.”

Something Good brings a little extra warmth—and just the right amount of attitude—to the Garment District. After all, sometimes you don’t need a fancy night out. Sometimes, you just need something good, like Gunderson’s most popular cocktail at Son of a Gun that she and her sister, Ava, created themselves—a spicy margarita with a kick of habanero she calls Hotter in Hell. somethinggoodkc.com

Hotter in Hell

2 ounces silver tequila

1 ounce mango juice

1 ounce fresh lime juice

.75 ounce habanero simple syrup*

Combine all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass and top with ice. Garnish with three blueberries and a piece of fresh pineapple.

*HABANERO SIMPLE SYRUP

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

2 habanero peppers, quartered

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly stir sugar into boiling water until sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Add habanero peppers to sugar-water mixture, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until syrup is thickened and pepper has slightly colored the syrup, about 15 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let syrup cool, about 1 hour. Remove peppers from syrup and store syrup in a glass jar.

Create Where You Belong

owned with showrooms in Overland Park and Briarcliff Village

Flavor IN KC

by Jenny Vergara

LA FETTA ITALIAN DELI

AFTER EATING the best Italian deli sandwich he’d ever tasted while on vacation in Montana, Adam Bracco and his wife, Shelly, returned to Kansas City and decided to open a place here, with a little help from the owner of the Montana deli where he first enjoyed the sandwich. That pivotal sandwich, with its layers of locally sourced Italian meats, cheeses, and dressed vegetables stuffed into a chewy baguette, lingered long enough on Adam’s mind that he called the owner of the Montana restaurant and convinced him to help. La Fetta Italian Deli will open at 14363 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas, this fall, serving 18 specialty deli sandwiches. The deli will also sell meats and cheeses in the deli case, in addition to a selection of wines, pastas, sauces, and salads, with all of the items either locally made or imported from Italy. With an open kitchen and a playful modern look, La Fetta will offer a friendly counter service where most customers can grab items to-go, along with a few tables for those who prefer to dine in. The couple has four children, three of whom are teenagers, who will work alongside Adam and Shelly in the deli, keeping it all in the family. instagram. com/lafettadeli

Flavor IN KC

by Jenny Vergara

MARTIN CITY TAVERN

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, Matt Moore knows to open the door. The business brain behind Martin City Brewing Co. beer and pizza places is ready to roll out a new concept. Martin City Tavern will open its first location south of the Country Club Plaza in the former Spin Pizza space on Main Street this month. For its second act, the new concept will take over the double restaurant, outdoor patio, and rooftop space located in the Crossroads Arts District at 20th and Main at City Club Apartments. Martin City Tavern will operate on one side, and there are plans for a separate lounge to open on the other in late summer or early fall. Other Martin City Tavern locations will soon follow, with plans for several across the metro. In addition to the great beer and pizza they are known for, Martin City Tavern will also serve elevated pub fare, including burgers, Reuben and pastrami sandwiches, fish and chips, and much more. martincitybrewingcompany.com

Summer Vibes Only

Movies in the Square

SATURDAYS IN JULY, SEPT, OCT (AT DUSK) Movies on the big screen under the stars!

July 5 : Napoleon Dynamite

July 12 : Happy Gilmore

July 19 : Tommy Boy

July 26 : Barbie

Second Saturdays for Kids!

EVERY SECOND SATURDAY (10AM - NOON)

Free entertainment for mornings filled with play, laughter, and meaningful moments together.

July 12 : Summer Foam Party!

August 9 : The Fairway with Friends (mini-golf)

Wednesday Date Night

EVERY WEDNESDAY (6PM - 8PM)

Live music for a mid-week date night! Connect over a great line-up of pop/rock, country, and even reggae!

Pinwheel Club

TUESDAYS IN JUNE & JULY (9AM - 11AM) A free weekly kids club with crafts, entertainment, and games.

Guitars & Games

EVERY FRIDAY (6PM - 8PM) Free live acoustic music and lawn games. Visit ParkPlaceLeawood.com for more details.

Park Place is located on the northeast corner of Nall Avenue & 117th St., just north of AMC 20 Theatre.

Flavor IN KC

by Jenny Vergara

In Culinary News

THE PARKER HOLLOW

ALTHOUGH JONATHAN JUSTUS built his culinary career in Kansas City cooking from the snout to the tail of just about every animal found in this part of the Midwest, seafood was always off the menu at Justus Drugstore, his former farm-totable flagship restaurant. That may explain why his next restaurant concept, The Parker Hollow, is going to focus mostly on sustainable seafood, with a raw bar that will feature seafood from the West Coast and the Gulf served using classic French preparations, along with a few meatier items like a Wagyu beef burger. There will be seafood platters, a rotating list of oysters on the half shell, and fresh sea urchin served in its own shell. Justus and his wife, Camille Eklof, lived in France before they opened Justus Drugstore, and later, Black Dirt. With every concept they open, they find themselves drawn to that quintessential small, but sexy, Parisian restaurant esthetic. Located in downtown Parkville, the building at 100 Main Street is currently undergoing a complete makeover. It will have a bar and a four-seat counter looking into the open kitchen on the first floor, and the main dining room on the second floor will feature 12-foot retractable windows overlooking the Park University campus. Look for The Parker Hollow to open in September.

Kansas City Auto Museum — kcautomuseum.com Featuring a

KC Fringe Festival — July 13 – 27

SWEET DREAMS

Treating yourself to better sleep starts with a bedroom uniquely yours. From expert service to our huge selection, NFM makes getting the right look oh so easy. To show just how convenient it can be, we teamed up with tastemaker Molly Kuplen to create this totally personalized look. Feeling inspired to start your own room refresh? You don’t have to wait for the right time to buy with stunning finds, and savings, available every day at NFM.

My Essentials IN KC

Lorece’s essentials...

Paros Estiatorio in Leawood has amazing service and incredible food. I loved their New Year’s Eve prix fixe menu, especially the grilled octopus.

LOCAL MAKERS:

Justin Canja and Aaron Howell designed a stunning custom bag that I carried to the A Match Made in Heaven gala at the Nerman Museum. People always ask where I got it, and I’m happy to share!

LORECE CHANELLE

ENTHUSIAST. BENEFACTOR. CURATOR.

Lby Evan Pagano

orece Chanelle—a federal government employee by day—felt the pull of the arts scene and, crucially, didn’t resist.

When she moved to Kansas City in 2020, she took an art history class—and then another, and then another. Soon, she sought out public art installations, went to galleries and galas. In the last year, she’s joined the boards at the Kansas City Artists Coalition, UMKC’s Friends of the Conservatory, and the Arts Council of Johnson County to promote diversity and accessibility for artists and art enthusiasts. The pull is still there.

“Up until moving to Kansas City and discovering the arts, I didn’t consider myself particularly creative—I’m logical, straightforward, check the box, get it done,” says Chanelle. “Now that I’m here and I’ve experienced art, something softened in me that is intangible.”

Today, Chanelle is dabbling in curation. She curated a gallery at the 2025 Symphony Designers’ Showhouse, and her second effort is on display at the Kansas City Art Institute’s Flatfile + Digitalfile show until Sept. 27.

“I couldn’t have asked for this, but it’s beautiful,” says Chanelle. “I love the way that it’s unfolding, and I’m continuing to allow it to do that for me.”

Chanelle’s goal is to support artists and spread art to others—to give everyone a chance to feel what she’s felt since she first gave in to the pull of something different.

“Be curious and open,” says Chanelle. “If there’s something that you’re interested in and it’s kind of nagging in the back of your head, follow it.”

GO-TO GALLERIES: These galleries and museums each have brilliant curators who explore relevant topics and consistently feature curious, growth-minded artists: Plug Gallery, Digital Dreams KC, Habitat Contemporary (for public curation), InterUrban Arthouse, In Other News Gallery, the Smalter Gallery, The Studios Inc

SELF-CARE SESH:

I’m obsessed with The Wooded Wyrd’s Afterglow Body Butter because it’s such an evocative scent and keeps my skin soft all day. I wear it layered with Maison Louis Marie’s No. 4 Bois de Balincourt perfume, and the combination makes me feel luxurious.

CAFFEINE FIX: If I’m feeling decadent, I go to The Black Pantry for a banana pudding latte with oat milk. Of course, lattes are always delicious, but I really love that store owner Brian Roberts specializes in Black-owned art and products.

VINTAGE FIX: I love Maria Casteel’s Soft Heart vintage clothing collection, which you can find online or at the fabulous Mergers in the Crossroads. Mergers owner Emily Emke-Hays also curates a beautiful collection of high-end independent labels and vintage, so you get a two-for-one experience when you shop in store!

BEST BOOKSTORE: My favorite local bookstore

Blk + Brwn. Aside from the selection of books, arts, and handcrafted wares, store owner Cori Smith is doing important work to give access to stories that reflect underrepresented communities.

photo by bridget chang

BEST BITE:

JAMES

NEWTON

Sid Mashburn | Greyson Clothiers | Saint James | Drake’s | Seaward & Stearn | Ralph Lauren | Jack Donnelly | Sunspel

Edwin | Chrysalis | Original Madras Trading Co. | Bennett Winch | Joseph Cheaney & Sons | Sanders Shoes | Pastori