Kansas City

Postcard with an image of a city landscape of Kansas City’s skyline on a transparent background

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Kansas City with Travis Meier and Abbey Higginbotham.

Axios Kansas City

Standard

Kansas City Members

Membership

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

Axios Kansas City Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Kansas City Alerts

Alert

Axios Kansas City Partners

What changes in KC when the drinking slows

At least six Kansas City area breweries have closed since early last year, and owners say the bigger loss is the gathering space.

News

Kansas City has lost several breweries, bars and pubs in recent years, leaving fewer places for socialization. Why it matters: Americans are drinking less for good reasons, but bars and taprooms do more than just pour booze — they provide places to gather without a plan.

A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles

Eight mostly vacant buildings near Eighth and Madison could undergo a transformation.

A developer pursuing a multibuilding project in the West Bottoms has tackled a strikingly similar landscape before — in LA&#x27;s industrial belt.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Borman Group&#x27;s work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" data-vars-content-id="d641d1f1-4a1e-4d41-9e2c-f53310113971" data-vars-headline="A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" target="_blank">The Borman Group&#x27;s work</a> out West offers a look at the potential for the project in Kansas City as Port KC considers public financing and property tax incentives for it.

Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early

The U.S. won't become majority-minority until 2046, but four rural Kansas counties and Wyandotte County are already there.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" target="_blank">Census data</a> shows a majority-minority U.S. population is decades away, but four Kansas counties and the metro&#x27;s Wyandotte County have already crossed that line. The big picture: The shift is reshaping the state, from meatpacking towns in southwest Kansas to the metro&#x27;s urban core, part of the nationwide rural trend identified in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" target="_self">Axios analysis.</a>

KC's last 8pm sunset is days away

Most of the country has already lost its late sunsets, but the KC metro has until Aug. 23 to 25 depending on your county.

Most Americans have already seen their final 8pm sunset of the year, but Kansas City still has about a week of late light left.The big picture: We lose a little more light every day as the Earth&#x27;s Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun until Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.<ul><li>The farther west within a time zone you live, the later your sunsets typically run, and KC sits in the western stretch of the Central time zone.</li></ul>

You're never too old for Fritz's Railroad Restaurant

Anyone who grew up in KC will likely have fond memories of the trains, hats and shakes.

Food and Drink

Ask anyone who grew up in KC, and they&#x27;ll likely have fond memories of the trains, hats and shakes at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fritz&#x27;s Railroad Restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fritzskc.com/" data-vars-content-id="e5821faa-6ef3-4815-8ccf-28ebcac9d8cb" data-vars-headline="You&#x27;re never too old for Fritz&#x27;s Railroad Restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fritzskc.com/" target="_blank">Fritz&#x27;s Railroad Restaurant</a>. Why it matters: Fritz&#x27;s has been around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since the &#x27;50s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fritzskc.com/fritzs-kc-history/" data-vars-content-id="e5821faa-6ef3-4815-8ccf-28ebcac9d8cb" data-vars-headline="You&#x27;re never too old for Fritz&#x27;s Railroad Restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fritzskc.com/fritzs-kc-history/" target="_blank">since the &#x27;50s</a>, but I had never visited — until now.

Don't trash your to-go coffee cup

Your daily caffeine routine just got a little more eco-friendly.

Paper and plastic to-go cups are now recyclable across the Kansas City region.Why it matters: Your daily caffeine routine just got a little more eco-friendly.

4 KC spots for National Oyster Day

Kansas City is about as far from salt water as you can get, but the raw bars here hold up. Four spots we trust, plus where to find a $3 oyster at happy hour.

🦪 It&#x27;s National Oyster Day, and Kansas City has a surprisingly good oyster scene, despite being nowhere near an ocean.Why it matters: Raw oysters this far from salt water require some trust. These four have earned ours.

Restaurant Week funds feed people without homes

Organizers presented ReStart with a big check on Tuesday.

Some of the money used to purchase meals during KC Restaurant Week in January is funding food for families facing homelessness.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcrestaurantweek.com/" data-vars-content-id="7a894b3f-f1a7-4e7a-a7f0-918ede22ab2b" data-vars-headline="Restaurant Week funds feed people without homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcrestaurantweek.com/" target="_blank">Restaurant Week</a> is put on by Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, with 10% of the proceeds supporting their charitable funds plus a local nonprofit.<ul><li>This year&#x27;s recipient was ReStart.</li></ul>

A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze

Café 333 arrives as American drinking hits a record low.

Business

Kansas City jazz was born in Prohibition-era clubs fueled by liquor. A century later, the city&#x27;s newest club is alcohol-free.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Café 333" data-vars-click-url="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" data-vars-content-id="12730782-38c9-43b7-9ef7-88f25e28fa3c" data-vars-headline="A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" target="_blank">Café 333</a> is KC&#x27;s first sober jazz bar, and it&#x27;s arriving just as American drinking hits a record low.

Summer trends in KC: Cigarettes and hot dogs

A rise in the vintage cool-kid aesthetic is driving an increase in smoking.

A rise in the vintage cool-kid aesthetic is driving an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increase in smoking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/smoking-cigarettes-trend-generation-z" data-vars-content-id="d63549fd-0bbe-40f4-8924-5a3d5c1eaa2a" data-vars-headline="Summer trends in KC: Cigarettes and hot dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/smoking-cigarettes-trend-generation-z" target="_self">increase in smoking</a> — and eating hot dogs.Why it matters: Businesses and marketing campaigns are catering to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gen Zers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/26/gen-z-divide-data-politics" data-vars-content-id="d63549fd-0bbe-40f4-8924-5a3d5c1eaa2a" data-vars-headline="Summer trends in KC: Cigarettes and hot dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/26/gen-z-divide-data-politics" target="_self">Gen Zers</a>, who often share feelings of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disillusionment" data-vars-click-url="https://people.com/gen-z-teens-smoking-cigarettes-exclusive-11984858" data-vars-content-id="d63549fd-0bbe-40f4-8924-5a3d5c1eaa2a" data-vars-headline="Summer trends in KC: Cigarettes and hot dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://people.com/gen-z-teens-smoking-cigarettes-exclusive-11984858" target="_blank">disillusionment</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nostalgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/01/90s-trends-chicago-gen-z-nostalgia-fashion-events" data-vars-content-id="d63549fd-0bbe-40f4-8924-5a3d5c1eaa2a" data-vars-headline="Summer trends in KC: Cigarettes and hot dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/01/90s-trends-chicago-gen-z-nostalgia-fashion-events" target="_self">nostalgia</a>.

Where to go solo dining in Kansas City

Reservations for one jumped 23% over the past year.

Things to Do

Solo dining is having a moment, with reservations for one jumping 23% over the past year, booking app OpenTable says. Why it matters: That growth may look like another sign of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" data-vars-content-id="6767783f-fdab-46cd-a8cf-81eb4e4902d4" data-vars-headline="Where to go solo dining in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" target="_self">loneliness</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" data-vars-content-id="6767783f-fdab-46cd-a8cf-81eb4e4902d4" data-vars-headline="Where to go solo dining in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" target="_self">epidemic</a>. But many solo diners say eating alone offers a rare chance to slow down, reflect and savor the small stuff.

Italian Sausage Co. serves giant sandwiches to go

A new walk-up window is servicing downtowners Tuesday–Sunday.

I often walk my dog during lunch and find myself wishing I had more options for grabbing food with the pooch in tow. Enter: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Italian Sausage Co." data-vars-click-url="https://theitaliansausageco.com/" data-vars-content-id="4f53d4cb-40a0-4020-b037-f3b3c7418edc" data-vars-headline="Italian Sausage Co. serves giant sandwiches to go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theitaliansausageco.com/" target="_blank">The Italian Sausage Co.</a>Dig in: The well-loved deli has been a staple in the Northland and at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chiefs and Royals games" data-vars-click-url="https://theitaliansausageco.com/stadium-eats/" data-vars-content-id="4f53d4cb-40a0-4020-b037-f3b3c7418edc" data-vars-headline="Italian Sausage Co. serves giant sandwiches to go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theitaliansausageco.com/stadium-eats/" target="_blank">Chiefs and Royals games</a>. Now, it&#x27;s serving downtowners with a walk-up window that includes its stadium eats.

Hot dog! KC's frank scene is on a roll

In the land of burnt ends, the hot dog is quietly building a case for itself. Here's where to celebrate National Hot Dog Day around the metro.

Today is National Hot Dog Day, and KC has more spots than ever to celebrate.The big picture: In the land of burnt ends, the hot dog is quietly building a case for itself.

KC dips Switzerland's World Cup moment in chocolate

Switzerland's first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954 lands in Kansas City on Saturday, and André's Confiserie Suisse marked the occasion with a brand new chocolate bar.

Switzerland plays its first World Cup quarterfinal in 72 years Saturday at Kansas City Stadium, and<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" André&#x27;s Confiserie Suisse" data-vars-click-url="https://andreschocolates.com/pages/about-us" data-vars-content-id="5bd05828-fa62-4284-b277-56859356639a" data-vars-headline="KC dips Switzerland&#x27;s World Cup moment in chocolate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://andreschocolates.com/pages/about-us" target="_blank"> André&#x27;s Confiserie Suisse</a> is welcoming the Swiss with a chocolate bar made just for the occasion.Why it matters: The Swiss last got this far in 1954, one year before the Bollier family opened its Swiss chocolate shop on Main Street, and the long wait ends in the family&#x27;s adopted hometown.

Food and Drink 🍽

You're never too old for Fritz's Railroad Restaurant

Don't trash your to-go coffee cup

4 KC spots for National Oyster Day

Restaurant Week funds feed people without homes

A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze