Provis sets a high bar for local coffee shops
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Pour-overs on proud display. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Provis Coffee in North Kansas City literally ran out of some supplies on its first full day as it opened to a sell-out crowd.
Why it matters: New coffee shops crop up across the city all the time, but Provis stands out for its attention to detail, trendy interior design and wide array of unique coffees and flavors.
Driving the news: The cafe opened at the end of September after seven months of building in public, when owners shared the construction process and gathered a strong following.
The vibe: Provis has been noted for its spacious floor plan and "dark academia" vibe, a trending aesthetic that owner Ronni Kurtz says was a response to the minimalist concrete and metal designs at other fancy coffee shops.
- People are "starving for beautiful spaces," he tells Axios, pointing out custom wood details and adding that his wife, designer Kristen Kurtz, has been crafting this aesthetic in Kansas City since before it was cool.
- But it's not all just eye candy, comfy seats and copious outlets, additions Ronni Kurtz says were a must. They also have a robust coffee program.
Zoom in: The pour-over list alone is extraordinary. Ten coffee selections ranging from Africa to South America list the bean varietal and process, including less-common fruit co-fermenting for wild flavors like Peach Rings candy and blueberry pancakes.
- Skeptical? I had a coffee from Papua New Guinea with notes of strawberry, fig and nougat. I kid you not, it was spot on.
- Kurtz says their roaster, Randall Buchanan from the award-winning Sump Coffee in St. Louis, curates and roasts their beans at StoneX Coffee Hub in Riverside.
- The team has aspirations for competitions, like the Brewers Cup and Roasters Cup.
What to try: The orange thyme cold brew ($7) was subtle and lightly sweet, and the "Hug in a Mug" café au lait with salted hug-grey vanilla flavor ($6) made us feel warm and fuzzy, all the flavors balanced.
- Pastries like the espresso chip muffin ($5) and apple butter danish ($7) are sourced from Bloom and Mudpie bakeries.
Zoom out: North Kansas City hasn't had a specialty coffee roaster since Post Coffee Company closed its Armour location in 2023.
- "We are Northlanders," Kurtz says, but "I've been driving south of the river for good coffee."
- He says guests have been coming in from both the neighborhood next door and all the way from Overland Park.
If you go: Provis is open every day from 7am to 7pm.