Good Karma's shelves tell the story
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Coffee from Good Karma. Photo: Good Karma
Good Karma and The Black Pantry are two businesses under one roof in KC that sell coffee and support Black creators by being intentional about what they stock on the shelves.
Why it matters: We're continuing Axios KC's February spotlight on Black-owned businesses with a look at Good Karma, a coffee and retail shop carving out space in a crowded market by leaning into culture, consistency and community.
Zoom in: Brian Roberts, the owner of both businesses, tells Axios his original vision shifted faster than he expected.
- "The Black Pantry was supposed to be the star of the show," he says. "Good Karma was supposed to be an ancillary option."
- Instead, he says, marketing and cultural relevance helped Good Karma stand out in what he calls a "coffee-crazed city."
- On The Black Pantry's shelves is a wide selection of products from Black-owned businesses in town, including wine, candles and books.
Zoom out: Roberts says the businesses choose which products they carry to shape visibility, not just sales.
- "KC was purposely designed to strip fair opportunities from Black and brown communities," he says.
- That's why The Black Pantry, housed inside Good Karma, spotlights products from Black creators.
- "The main product is the feeling you experience here," Roberts says.
What they're saying: Keeping the doors open takes more than most customers realize.
- "It takes a lot of coffee to pay the bills," he says.
- His advice for support is straightforward: Be a regular, invite friends, and leave five-star Google reviews.
- "We truly do have some of the best coffee in the city," he says. "We fight for it."
What to try: I kept it simple and ordered an iced Americano and a cold brew. Both were smooth, balanced and surprisingly gentle.
- If you like your coffee straightforward but well made, these hit the spot without the sharp bitterness those drinks can sometimes bring.
💠My thought bubble: They've also added a killer espresso martini to the menu, one I've had before, but I couldn't quite justify ordering it again at 1pm on a Wednesday.
- This would have been a very interesting article if I had chosen to partake.
The bottom line: Roberts says Good Karma and The Black Pantry's mission only works when people choose to keep coming back.