Business
New Downtown Hampton Features Balconies, Streetcar-Savvy Starbucks
By Kevin Collison The new Hampton by Hilton opening soon on the northeast corner of 16th and Main already has booked a high-profile guest, a full-service Starbucks by the streetcar station. The $25 million, 132-room hotel is expected to open later this month or early April. The South Carolina developer had hoped to have it…
Ambassador Hotel Opens Addition in Time for Big 12 Tournament
By Kevin Collison The Ambassador Hotel Kansas City at 1111 Grand is opening its $14.9 million addition today, just in time to welcome fans attending the Big 12 Men’s Tournament. The nine-story tower is adding 70 rooms to the 43-room boutique hotel that opened in the historic Gate City National Bank Building in 2012. Paul…
Two Very Different Downtown Retailers on Main Street Close
Two very different downtown retailers on Main Street, one a national chain, the other a homegrown pastry shop, have closed their doors. The JoS. A. Banks clothing store at 1320 Main, one of the earliest tenants in the Power & Light District, closed in mid-February. Brioche Pastry Shop at 2000 Main closed this week. Attempts…
Convivial Promises Namesake Vibe at New Shop in Former YJ’s Space
By Kevin Collison Chentell Shannon wants to keep the friendly, lively, enjoyable–in a word–“convivial” vibe of the former YJ’s Crossroads space when she opens her shop there May 1. After all, Convivial is the name and spirit of the ceramics design and manufacturing firm she started in 2014. Right now, it’s producing handmade products from…
Visit KC Reports Big Uptick in Bookings at Bartle Hall
By Kevin Collison Bookings at Bartle Hall are up 56 percent from the previous year, an encouraging trend as downtown prepares to check in more than 2,400 new hotel rooms over the next couple years. At its annual Tourism Outlook 2019 meeting last week, Visit KC’s new president and CEO Jason Fulvi estimated the 295…