KCRag Forum

Wow, that looks great. The varied textures and buildings help hide the mass from street level. I would totally live in this building.

Great photos, thanks Chris.

I walked by City Club Saturday afternoon to check it out from street level and was impressed with the landscaping and the overall integration with the street grid. Courtyard is busy but attractive and the mix of views those interior balconies offer is quite nice. Looking forward to Hanna's new concept(s) bringing a lively vibe to the SW corner soon.

One obvious eyesore from the drone shots - the 20th/Grand surface lot right between the new City Club and Artistry. Have to hope we'll see something similar go up there sooner than later.

The courtyard isn't quite as busy as it looks. A lot of the landscaping breaks up different areas and the second floor walk outs to give some privacy. The "garage door" to the club room is almost always open too so there's that space too.

It's a bit difficult to describe from pictures. But it for sure has an aesthetic that isn't for everyone.

I've been trying to work outside more now and it's really nice.

Don't move here if you don't like dogs though. Soooo many dogs

I'm not around to check, but the restaurant build out was supposed to start today-ish and last a couple of months if anyone wants to walk by or take a look at permits.

Howard Hanna's diner space seems to be taking shape. Diner counter framing was in a couple weeks ago

Howard recently mentioned "maybe November" as the timeframe for at least one of the spots to open.

November has come and gone, but the names of the new restaurants have been announced - Small Axe (the diner) and Afi (the natural wine bar).

They're also looking for investors.

ugh I don't have a good feeling about this. Really cheering for Howard.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:13 pm ugh I don't have a good feeling about this. Really cheering for Howard.

Nah, I like it. It's about rethinking the industry.

Nothing will change with the same old dynamic.

The Community Kitchen really changed him I think.

I mean I like the thought and concept of the idea I just don't have a lot of confidence in "rethinking the industry" if they need me to invest to make it happen.

that said I'll throw some money behind it.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:23 pm I mean I like the thought and concept of the idea I just don't have a lot of confidence in "rethinking the industry" if they need me to invest to make it happen.

that said I'll throw some money behind it.

Right, I don't know either.

My hope is our investment is the difference that allows them to support employees above and beyond what conventional financing will.

Maybe we should start a Go Fund Me that allows developers to eliminate parking garages?

That location is a good one for a traditional diner.

Diner food at fine dining prices, perhaps?

We've known and followed Howard since he was at Rm 39 and will continue to support him. That said, I have concerns that a 'traditional' diner needs to be constantly busy to stay afloat or charge more than most people are willing to pay. Howard has been in the industry for a long time and is used to surrounding him with excellent staff from front to back of the house. In this day when it's difficult for many restaurants to find help, what employees are going to want to work early mornings if the check average is low like other diners? Or late nights serving drunk people?

Really hope he can make it work.

kcjak wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 8:09 am That said, I have concerns that a 'traditional' diner needs to be constantly busy to stay afloat or charge more than most people are willing to pay.

Seems like that might fill a niche that urban KC hasn't had since Nichols closed? I can't think of many if any extant traditional diners in the urban core.

^City Diner in RM and Town Topic in Xroads only ones left with a traditional diner counter. Midtown lost Chubbie's and a few others further back. Succotash leans more foodie than traditional diner but in the territory.

I always thought this wasn't going to be a real diner just setup like a diner but with great food. Not like a challenger to City Diner type of customer

^Hope it works out. I like the concept as diner counters are dying off.

I'm ecstatic for it. I, along with several friends, have moved closer into the urban core & have longed for more classic diner options. There are fewer options to get a good classic breakfast that isn't good for you in KC these days.

It's ridiculous that a traditional diner can't make it in urban Kansas City.