KCRag Forum

Is this that place at 18th and Wyandotte?

Yeah.  I can't believe they are closing.  With the performing arts center coming on line on the next year or two and downtown finally awakening, I can't believe they are leaving.  I could see a fancy restaurant here though (but don't really want to).  Could this move be due to tax increases?  Hope we don't kill this district! 

Midtownkid wrote: Could this move be due to tax increases?  Hope we don't kill this district! 

not sure, since it was in an abated property. how does that work for retail space in a residential building that has a property tax abatement? everytime i went in there i was the only person, which is a shame because he carried such cool stuff. with his mad gift-wrapping skillz, i doubt he'll be out of the biz for long...

Did anyone see that the Dolphin building is for sale?

It says that the Dolphin is relocating. 

http://www.thedolphingallery.com/building/

Kemper Museum will expand to CrossroadsKansas City Business Journal

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary of Art will expand into the Crossroads Arts District, museum founder Crosby Kemper Jr. said Friday.

Kemper said he had signed a contract for the museum's purchase of the Dolphin gallery on Friday afternoon.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/s ... a=from_rss

that is such great news!  the kemper expanding into the crossroads makes a ton of sense, and the dolphin is the perfect venue for it.  i'm glad that a cornerstone venue for the downtown art scene will remain an art venue. 

i bet the dolphin moves to troost.

Gretz wrote: Is this that place at 18th and Wyandotte?

Aesthetica appears to be leaving its present location at 18th and Wyandotte in Kansas City Missouri

TMI

Stevo

DaveKCMO wrote: i bet the dolphin moves to troost.

I thought they were supposed to be going to the west bottoms?

KCUR has it too.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kcur/ ... ID=1194891

LenexatoKCMO wrote: I thought they were supposed to be going to the west bottoms?

yeah the Star article about the Kemper expansion says the Dolphin owner is looking at properties in the west bottoms. 

Man, I was still hoping Kemper would come through at the end and renovate the old Opera house into a downtown satellite.

I was also hoping the Kemper would also possibly renovate and expand into the Grand Opera House, or West High School on Summit.

it makes more sense for them to be at ground zero for the crossroads foot traffic.

Great news about the Kemper.  However, it is sad to see the Dolphin leave...I always loved their displays in the windows and on that little billboard thing on the side.  I wish they would just move to another place in the crossroads.  Lets hope this doesn't become a huge trend of artists leaving.  Any bets on when the first Starbucks opens in the area?  I'd say fall 2008.  haha

Midtownkid wrote: Great news about the Kemper.  However, it is sad to see the Dolphin leave...I always loved their displays in the windows and on that little billboard thing on the side.  I wish they would just move to another place in the crossroads.  Lets hope this doesn't become a huge trend of artists leaving.  Any bets on when the first Starbucks opens in the area?  I'd say fall 2008.  haha

The crossroads is still VERY under utilized and under developed and it covers a very large area.  A little gentrification might actually help the area sustain its momentum by bringing in more traffic.  Retail still has a hard time down there.

There is room for both.

I really wouldn't have a problem with places like starbucks, whole foods, crate and barrel etc coming down there as long as a funky vibe remains in some areas and artists stay.  First Fridays are so amazing.

Midtownkid wrote: ...Lets hope this doesn't become a huge trend of artists leaving...

It may or may not be a trend just yet, but the rent increased by a third to double in the Leedy building a few months back. I can't blame the landlord, as trying to cover the recent tax increases is necessary for their continued ownership of the building. Anyway, there was a mass-exodus of residents from the Leedy when the increase happened. Most if not all of them were artists.

I would have liked to see the Kemper go into the old City National Bank building instead of the Scientologists.  Another good building for the Kemper would have been the old Corrigan Building on Walnut and 18th.  Even the Missouri Engravers building on McGee would have been good.

joyce smith's column from yesterday mentioned that "Peruvian Connections" is moving into the Aesthetica space. 

http://www.kansascity.com/199/story/554686.html

"The store is scheduled to open in late April.

Peruvian Connection’s designers create the custom dyes, drawings and patterns. The knit and woven designs are then made into apparel, mostly in Peru. The company has a store in the United Kingdom, as well as stores in New Mexico, Maryland and Vermont. A flagship store is to open in Washington, D.C., in May."