OFFICIAL: H&R Block HQ

[kucer]

Starbucks going into the retail space on the north side of main lobby.  Just west of the KC Rep box office. Opens mid-October.

[KC-wildcat]

So, there will be two Starbucks within shouting distance of eachother? 

[moderne]

This is Kansas City.  You cannot expect people to walk a block. 

[LenexatoKCMO]

So, there will be two Starbucks within shouting distance of eachother? 

No DT is complete until there are at least 2 starbucks per block.  

[Midtownkid]

So, there will be two Starbucks within shouting distance of eachother? 

Who has ever heard of such a thing!  Here in DC, Du Pont circle has at least 3 Starbucks around the circle.  In one case they are directly across the street from each other!  I have actually grow to love Starbucks's coffee...the more the better. (except for in the Xroads)

[KCMax]

The End of the Universe

[kuslamb]

I was going to mention that Du Pont had three around the circle.  We actually were walking the circle and stopped at two of them.  One for coffee, and one to take a leak. 

[KC-wildcat]

Who has ever heard of such a thing!  Here in DC, Du Pont circle has at least 3 Starbucks around the circle.  In one case they are directly across the street from each other!  I have actually grow to love Starbucks's coffee...the more the better. (except for in the Xroads)

Yeah, when I was in Vienna, Austria there were two McDonald's, two Subways, and two KFCs on parallel streets.  My point is, KC is far from DC or Vienna.  Having to franchises within 100 yards of eachother just seems like odd business strategy.  Then again, I don't know anything about Starbucks' business on 12th and main.  I guess they'll do just fine without all of the H&R Block employees. 

[AJoD]

The End of the Universe

Also along those lines.

[DaveKCMO]

No DT is complete until there are at least 2 starbucks per block.  

with neither one of them open past 5 pm...

[anniewarbucks]

This is the start of the large city strategies that these companies apply. The more people in an area the tighter the circle around your franchised restaurants get. I remember even in St. Louis when (I know That I am going to get this wrong) St Lois city center Mall was open they had a Mc Donalds on the fourth floor and a Mc Donalds at street level to the South of the mall. In Chicago there is a Mcdonalds in the Sears Tower and there is another just one block south of the Sears Tower. In the bigger cities the businesses double up more and more as the population increases So What Starbucks is doing in the Power and Light District is normal in a city the size of KCMO.

[49r]

Oh, good...I'm glad that's all cleared up.  For a minute there I was afraid Starbucks wasn't quite sure they knew what they were doing and was possibly in danger of going out of business or something.

[49r]

&

[kccrackednut]

I bet the City Center store closes.  And this is the first direct comparison I have encountered between K.C. and Vienna, Austria. 

[KCFan]

Speeking of parking, What ever happened to free parking? Why has this concept went to the wayside? Yes I know Handicapped drivers park for free but why do the regular drivers have to pay out the noseholes to park. This makes no sense to me.

It costs to build structured parking so we have to pay for it.  Even on the Plaza which everyone thinks is free, isn't.  Everyone pays an additional 1% sales tax for buying anything on the Plaza.  I think that's the best way to do things and think P&L should do the same, but I don't know that they are.

I imagine Starbucks will stay open at City Center Square.  The last time I was in there; it was crazy packed so I can't imagine them giving that prime space to another coffee shop.  That's not the Starbucks way.

[anniewarbucks]

I got some pics today of some of the H&R Block building.
KC Repritory theater

From 14th and Walnut.

From 13th and Baltimore

KC Rep Theater Box Office

A sculpture on the courtyard north of the KC Rep Theater box office.

Looking in from the opening on the East side of The block.

I was told by a member of the construction crew to have fun shooting so I tried to get some good shots from inside the barriers.
From 14th and Walnut

[LCDSI]

nice pictures.

too bad the h&r block building isn't a tad bit taller.

[AJoD]

I had a few people in from our Chicago office for a meeting at Block last week.  They were blown away by the building.  I hadn't been inside before, but it is a really impressive space...great detail, nice artwork, just really cool all around.  As one of my coworkers pointed out, "There's no drywall anywhere."  The KC Star press also impressed on our way out of town.

[KCPowercat]

Anybody noticed the graphics now working on the SE "corner" of the building?  Can't remember what night it was, I think Thursday, I saw it lit up green flashing somebody's name and then saying "you got people".

[Downtowner]

Yes, I think this is the first time they've lit those up. Green blocks of LCD lights on every floor and the message at the top. Very cool.