Westport

[TheSmokinPun]

I thought that concept burned itself out in 2011. I seem to remember another concept locally that never ended up opening at all long long ago.

[Metro]

I thought that concept burned itself out in 2011. I seem to remember another concept locally that never ended up opening at all long long ago.

Wasn't that the donut bar?

[im2kull]

^Back in the 1990s this was a high-end Eurotrash "fashionista" store. Similar to Riccardi in Boston or what Hall's tried to do with "The Bridge." [Something] hardware IIRC was the name -- the project of the son of a nearby retailer who sold fancy imported fixtures and other bath/ kitchen/ lighting hardware (not Pride's). Cannot remember all the details now.

I love your recollection of local history. I'd DM you back but I can't because I get this error message "Some users couldn’t be added as they have disabled private message receipt.". Would you rather adjust that setting, or email? I'm up for either.

[Metro]

Ugh saw street fighter this weekend. I thought he went to prison for attempted murder a few years ago?

[Midtownkid]

Sounds like another Mexican restaurant is set to open in the old Corner Restaurant space. Another one will be opening in the former Port Fonda space as well. Seems like a saturated market.

Also, the former Grimm Tattoo Museum building (around the corner from the former Tattoo Shop) burned Tuesday night. It has been declared a dangerous building. WTF is going on over there?

Hope a shiny new building rises on that corner soon!

[FangKC]

Is there an arsonist on the loose in the neighborhood?

[Chris Stritzel]

My bets are it's an insurance scam. Coupled with the fact that the property is listed for sale already, someone with bad intentions could have it listed and be burning it to get a lot more money.

[Midtownkid]

Seems like an insurance scam to me, too.

[Sirius_Blue]

Ugh saw street fighter this weekend. I thought he went to prison for attempted murder a few years ago?

Oh damn, I haven't seen him in a looooong time. Where did you spot him?

[Sirius_Blue]

Sounds like another Mexican restaurant is set to open in the old Corner Restaurant space. Another one will be opening in the former Port Fonda space as well. Seems like a saturated market.

Also, the former Grimm Tattoo Museum building (around the corner from the former Tattoo Shop) burned Tuesday night. It has been declared a dangerous building. WTF is going on over there?

Hope a shiny new building rises on that corner soon!

1. Looks like the taco place is going to be locally owned (https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 90398.html), at least.

2. That Grimm building always weirded me out. That corner deserves some love.

[beautyfromashes]

2. That Grimm building always weirded me out. That corner deserves some love.

Building torn down a couple of days ago. Was for sale, so not sure if it sold or they just realized it would sell better as a blank lot.

[Developersanonymous]

Just met with a couple of guys who are buying the old Point bar, more recently called Madison's. located at 917 W 44th st. (44th and Belleview). its been vacant for a while and they are looking for a tenant who has as something totally new. curious what this forum thinks of the location. could this ever be something beyond a sports bar? it seems to be a unique and cool property with awesome patio but plagued with bad operators. anyone have any thoughts on this? i think it has legs but wanted to see what others think.

[kboish]

I agree the space itself is cool. I was always surprised at the lack of imagination for the space.

[DColeKC]

What happened to the country bar that was supposed to go in? Also, it sounds like Ale House isn't a sports and beer bar anymore but has turned into a bottle service type club. Anyone been there for awhile?

[moderne]

Lived a block away for years. Saw cars hit corner of building may many times often with significant damage. With area becoming more dense and higher incomes, good spot. Actually not in Westport, but West Plaza.

[TheSmokinPun]

I feel like the location would be a lot better if Belleview & Madison weren't one way freeways too.

[grovester]

I feel like the location would be a lot better if Belleview & Madison weren't one way freeways too.

^This.

Road diet and this place becomes a neighborhood joint.

[UMKCroo]

I worked here for a year when I was 15 as a bus boy at the "New Pointe Grill" Jazz Club. I think(?) this was the first restaurant/bar concept in this space, at least in the modern area. It was great. At least that's what I remember as a 15 year old bus boy. Full service restaurant with live jazz every night. All of the heavy hitters were there. Incredible music, in an intimate setting.

I have now been in the restaurant business for the last 20 plus years and realize how bad of a business model that was. it wouldn't work again. With that said, man we need another jazz club in this city. We have no business selling jazz as a cultural amenity in this city unless we start to build the infrastructure to support such a claim. We are lucky that we have the UMKC jazz program continuing to attract and turn out ambitious young musicians, but with the lack of opportunity locally, there isn't much reason for anyone to stay.

I feel like a jazz venue here could be successful. Close enough to Westport and Plaza to have a little cache and attract out of owners, but the parking and overall setting wouldn't scare away the suburbanites that would be needed to make it successful. The space itself reminds me of some of the best jazz clubs I have visited internationally (minus the almost total lack of walkability). If I remember correctly, and if portioned correctly, there could be at least 2 shows going (upstairs and downstairs).

On the other hand, maybe its just best as a neighborhood bar without the shootings.

[bobthebiker]

Live in the area went here 1 time in the time that it was open. It was prime brunch time on a weekend and pretty sure we were the only two people in. I'm honestly surprised it made it as long as it did. However it literally had no external markings indicating that it was a business. Pretty sure I had to google it to figure out it was actually not some private club or something.

Southwest trafficway was it's undoing in my opinion. Has a great patio but car noise pretty much negates it. SW trfy acts like a physical barrier when trying to go there.

I don't think it's rocket science to get that place to survive. Especially with ~200 new residents right across the street and many more within 1-2 blocks. Advocate for a crosswalk there. Maybe see if you can get street parking put in on belleview on the West side which would narrow and slow traffic. I think that does enough to calm the Southbound sewer to make the patio worthwhile.

In other notes the Country Club Bank right there has to be one of the most suburban style banks in all of midtown. Woof.

[beautyfromashes]

Maybe see if you can get street parking put in on belleview on the West side which would narrow and slow traffic.

All great suggestions, especially the crosswalk. But, there’s no way I’d park on Belleview unless I hated my car and wanted to crash it out for insurance money.