Bakery/restaurant redevelopment for midtown Katz

[LenexatoKCMO]

Best development news I have seen in a long time - K Collison is reporting that a developer is close to securing all of the parcels necessary to redevelop the Westport Katz Drug building.  Sounds like he already has a tennant lined up that wants to operate a local bakery and restaurant in the space.  It also sounds like he intends to do a pretty historically sensitive rehab.  http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1382142.html

I know many of us were dreaming of a Trader Joes in there but this looks pretty good and it sounds like one of the parcel owners was unwilling to sell if a chain was involved.  I have long thought that the urban core could use more in the local bakery department - still would like to see one DT.  Here's to hoping he is able to pull it off. 

[DaveKCMO]

damn you westport business owners stuck in the 20s! could have been the one thing that would have made that corner THE new place to be. this does sound particularly promising:

...a ?well-known,? locally based bakery that wants to double the size of its baking operation and open a retail outlet and restaurant.

any guesses? fervere? farm to market? napoleon? mclains?

[chrizow]

any guesses? fervere? farm to market? napoleon? mclains?

well, fervere, napoleon, and mcclains all have retail outlets.  i'm guessing farm to market.

or hey, maybe interstate bakeries!  TWINKIE SHOP

[LenexatoKCMO]

Wheatfields would be nice too - but I don't picture them abandoning Lawrence.

[Midtownkid]

I guess Farm to Market too.  I love their bread!!  I miss it

[elextendo]

I heard Farm to Market

[AJoD]

Farm to Market seems to have the capital and stature to be behind something like this, but I sure hope the cafe is better than their last attempt.  Having bread baked on premise will be a big step in that direction.

I, too, was very excited to see this piece this morning (though just slightly disappointed it's not a grocer). 

[mudjack]

Wheatfields would rock, but ftm would be good too. Heck, anything would be better than having the corner sit empty.

[dangerboy]

This is awesome news.  Don't worry about Trader Joe's.  Latest rumors on the Intertubes are putting them in the Valentine Shops on Broadway.

[KCMax]

[loftguy]

This is awesome news.  Don't worry about Trader Joe's.  Latest rumors on the Intertubes are putting them in the Valentine Shops on Broadway.

Attention Larry Sells:  Make this happen and you'll go a long ways towards redeeming yourself!!

[trailerkid]

This is awesome news.  Don't worry about Trader Joe's.  Latest rumors on the Intertubes are putting them in the Valentine Shops on Broadway.

WTF.

[PumpkinStalker]

Was volunteering at the Plaza Pzazz (benefits Ronald McDonald house) last night and Farm to Market was there.  I straight up asked if they were moving and they all started lauging and said there were a lot of rumors.  They said they had been approached and there were talks but nothing firm or signed.  That was all they seemed comfortable to share, despite my prying!

[dangerboy]

Joyce Smith says Farm to Market is no longer considering the Katz building and will start over looking for a new location.

http://www.kansascity.com/business/stor ... 65-p2.html

[chrizow]

damn.  that was a perfect fit for the space and neighborhood.

[cknab1]

The Urban Core had a great event there and they presented their plans and everything.  I thought it was a done deal and would help that intersection.  Too bad it didn't work out.

[LenexatoKCMO]

I wonder what fell apart?  Financing?  Lease details?

[PumpkinStalker]

They had a booth at some plaza charity function I went to a couple months ago and when I asked about it, they laughed and looked at eachother awkwardly, rolling their eyes.  I didn't get the impression it was working out back then either...

[trailerkid]

damn.  that was a perfect fit for the space and neighborhood.

i'd rather have something more momentum-changing at the most significant midtown crossing than an oversized, bourgie bakery. 

[dangerboy]

Supposedly the the land is owned by 2-3 different people and the building is owned a different set of 2-3 people, and re-use of the site has been very challenging because the various parties can't agree on what to do.  Perhaps it's time for the city to declare it blighted and use eminent domain to seize it and turn it over to a willing developer...