👀 This Week Around KC

🔥 HARP BARBECUE CLOSES SATURDAY AND KC ALREADY RAISED $3,000 FOR TYLER HARP'S NEXT CHAPTER​

Ten years. That's how long Harp Barbecue fed Kansas City. This Saturday, May 30, the Overland Park location at West 135th and Quivira closes for good, squeezed out by skyrocketing meat prices and food monopolization. A GoFundMe titled "Support Harp BBQ's Next Chapter" has already raised $4,070 of a $6.5K goal from 34 donors in 2 days. The campaign isn't about saving the building. It's about giving Tyler Harp breathing room to figure out what comes next, whether that's a partnership with a brewery or distillery or something entirely new. "Four companies own 86 percent of the beef in America," Harp said. "These companies are recording record profits, while you, me, and the mom of three can barely afford groceries.”

🎷 18TH AND VINE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA IS OFFICIALLY OPEN. THE JAZZ DISTRICT RIBBON CUTTING HAPPENED WEDNESDAY​

Wednesday morning, 18th Street from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue was permanently closed to cars. The $8 million pedestrian plaza removes curbs, gutters, and parking to create a seamless walkable corridor through the heart of the Jazz District. The American Jazz Walk of Fame medallions have been refurbished and reinstalled along the street. This is part of Revive the Vine, Kansas City's $400 million-plus reinvestment in 18th & Vine, which also includes the newly opened 18th and Lydia Parking Garage (470 spots, $20M), the Boone Theater now open at 1701 E. 18th with the Black Movie Hall of Fame, and a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and hotel in development. A streetcar feasibility study to connect the district to the Main Street line is also underway.

🏳️‍🌈 ODDLY CORRECT IS HOSTING A FREE PRIDE MONTH ART MARKET THIS SATURDAY​

Oddly Correct coffee shop is throwing its first-ever art market on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 42nd Street between Forrest Avenue and Troost Avenue. Admission is free, and the market will feature more than 20 local artists and vendors selling jewelry, pottery, photography, and illustration work. Oddly Correct is partnering with the Halo Foundation, with 20% of all coffee and biscuit sales inside the shop going directly to Halo, which provides housing, art, and education to at-risk youth in Kansas City. Multiple local mutual aid organizations will also have a presence at the event.

🛒 KC'S MIDTOWN COSTCO IS CONVERTING TO A BUSINESS CENTER — AND THAT MEANS NO MORE FOOD COURT​

Costco has confirmed it's converting its midtown Kansas City warehouse on Linwood Boulevard into a Costco Business Center, a membership wholesale format focused on small businesses. Zoning documents filed last week make it official. The Business Center model still carries the basics: paper towels, produce, dairy, frozen meals. But gone are the pharmacy, bakery, tire shop, optical center, clothing, electronics, and the food court. Fewer toys, books, and seasonal items too. The $1.50 hot dog situation is unconfirmed but the comments on the KC Star's Instagram post say everything you need to know about how KC feels about this.

⚾ KELCE GOES FROM CLEVELAND HEIGHTS KID TO ONE OF CLEVELAND GUARDIANS OWNERS​

Travis Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native and three-time Super Bowl champion, joined the Cleveland Guardians' ownership group as a minority investor on May 27. He purchased a share of co-owner David Blitzer's 35% stake in the club, making him the second active Chiefs player to hold minority ownership in an MLB team, following Patrick Mahomes. Chairman Paul Dolan leads the ownership group, with Blitzer holding an option to acquire a majority stake after the 2027 season. Kelce will be celebrated at Progressive Field on June 14 when the Guardians host the Detroit Tigers. His quote on the announcement: "I'm just a kid from the Heights living the dream."

🚋 KC STREETCAR JUST LAID OUT ITS FULL EXPANSION AGENDA AND IT'S BIGGER THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE​

The KC Streetcar Authority is actively pursuing four expansions: a system-wide capacity and reliability study tied to the Royals stadium, a streetcar connection to 18th and Vine, NorthRail resumption, and a Midtown East-West Streetcar Spine. Future studies on the map go further: a Bi-State BRT corridor, a 18th Street and Southwest Boulevard line, and eventual extensions to South KC and Johnson County. Gerend shared the full system plan publicly this week. For a city that just pedestrianized 18th Street and is hosting the World Cup in 8 days, the transit vision is suddenly looking a lot more serious than it did two years ago.

What you might have missed last week

• Kansas City just made getting to the FIFA Fan Festival a lot easier. Park at the Jazz District Garage or the West Bottoms Garage and take a direct shuttle to the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
• ​Café Corazón just won the Greater Kansas City Chamber's Small Business of the Year — the "Mr. K Award," named for Ewing Kauffman himself.
• North Kansas City just announced Fresh Market of Northtown — a 51,000+ sq ft full-service grocery store coming to the One North development in 2027. Years in the making.

🏆 WORLD CUP GUIDE

13 DAYS UNTIL THE WORLD CUP

We’ve been building something behind the scenes, and it’s officially here.

The KC Scene World Cup Guide is your go-to spot to explore Kansas City during one of the biggest moments the city has ever hosted.

📍 Why We Built This

We didn’t want people coming to KC and only seeing the obvious spots.

This is about putting a spotlight on the locally owned businesses that actually make Kansas City what it is.

So whether you're exploring or promoting, this is your place to be.

🏪 Own a Business?

You can still be part of it.

Join the guide for FREE and:

• Get your business in front of locals and visitors
• Promote your World Cup specials and events
• Show up in search, map, and filtered results
• Update your profile anytime with photos, hours, and details

👉 Join the guide here​

Share with all businesses that you think will benefit from being apart of this!

🏢 DEVELOPMENT SCENE

PLAZA OF THE NORTHLAND GETS GREEN LIGHT — 400-ACRE MIXED-USE DISTRICT COMING TO SHOAL CREEK CORRIDOR

Kansas City officially moved forward on one of the biggest development proposals in the Northland's history. On May 21, city leaders approved the TIF boundary for the first phase of a 400-acre project near the intersection of I-435, NE Shoal Creek Parkway, and Highway 152.

The land is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its development arm, Land Reserve, Inc. The full vision carries a $2.3 billion price tag: over 1,000 residences, 1 million square feet of retail, restaurants, a hotel, office space, and entertainment venues.

To get there, the developer is requesting $328 million in public financing through tax increment financing to build out infrastructure on the rough terrain. The city expects that payoff to take 23 years, with 5% of captured tax payments going back to taxing districts annually.

Kansas City first backed the broader TIF framework, called the 435 and Soccer Drive TIF Plan, Redevelopment Project J, in April 2026.

MOLZER DEVELOPMENT IS CLOSING OUT $47M IN 8 WEEKS AND JUST OPENED A THIRD FRONT IN THE WEST BOTTOMS

Two years ago, Zach Molzer bought a shuttered downtown hotel still full of COVID-era debris: beds made, lamps on nightstands, a half-baked cake in the kitchen. This week, he started taking people on hard hat tours.

The Aladdin Hotel, a 100-year-old property that went dark in 2022, is now weeks away from opening as 122 luxury apartments with a rooftop cocktail bar. Preleasing is live now. The Holtman Building in the East Crossroads opens this week: $6.5M invested in 10 months, Bar Phoebe launching on the third floor with 9,000 square feet of space and downtown views, and one last loft available if you want in before it officially hits the market.

While both of those wrap up, Molzer closed on a third building, the Advanced Treasure Building in the West Bottoms. For now it's available as storage and warehouse space while Molzer figures out its next life.

Molzer is 24 years old, nearing a million followers, and built most of his deal flow by documenting all of it publicly. He joined us on The KC Scene Podcast last year to talk about how it started. Worth a listen now that it's actually here.

🏆 SUMMER GUIDE

Your KC Summer, All in One Place

We put together a 21-page Kansas City Ultimate Summer Guide covering everything you need for summer 2026.
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From World Cup match days and Pride to the best BBQ patios, hidden gems, day trips, free outdoor movies, pet-friendly markets, and a full neighborhood Saturday itinerary.
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Whether you've lived here 20 years or just moved in, there's something in here you haven't tried yet.

🎨 ART SCENE

BERLIN WALL: A WORLD DIVIDED OPENS TODAY AT UNION STATION

The exhibition opens Friday, May 29 at Union Station and runs through the summer.

More than 200 Cold War-era artifacts, including a 12-foot section of the actual Berlin Wall, pulled from the site after the wall came down in 1989.

The exhibit traces the full arc: the division, the daily life on both sides, the surveillance state, the escapes, and the fall.

Worth noting the timing. Kansas City is about to host the world. The Berlin Wall exhibit opens the same week the planet descends on our city for a tournament built around the idea that sport crosses every border the wall was meant to enforce.

🏐 SPORTS SCENE

110 KC KIDS FROM NORTHEAST WILL ESCORT WORLD CUP PLAYERS ONTO THE FIELD AT ARROWHEAD THIS SUMMER

110 young people from Ryogoku Soccer Academy in KC's Northeast neighborhood will walk World Cup players onto the field at Arrowhead this summer as part of FIFA's Quaker Player Escort Program. That means hand-in-hand with the actual players, in front of 70,000 people, broadcast to billions worldwide, on the biggest soccer stage ever held in the United States.
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They weren't selected because they're the most talented. They were selected based on community involvement, leadership, and love of the game. Ryogoku is an accredited middle and high school in Northeast KC that combines academics with elite soccer development, built to serve a neighborhood that doesn't always see itself reflected in moments like this.
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KC hosts its first World Cup match June 6 at Arrowhead: USA vs. Germany. The tournament runs through July at Arrowhead, and these 110 kids will be on that field for it.

KC CURRENT LAUNCHES FREE YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE

The Kansas City Current just announced a no-cost, no-barrier youth soccer league at the newly renovated 9th and Van Brunt Athletic Fields on KC's Northeast side. No fees. No equipment costs. Every player gets a Nike jersey, cleats, shin guards, and a KC Current soccer ball for free.

The league serves kids ages 8 to 10, with about 120 participants across seven community organizations including Guadalupe Centers, Mattie Rhodes, KC Wadijir, and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. The first season runs July 11 through August 29 — opening day is the same day as the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal at Kansas City Stadium.

The program is funded through a multi-year U.S. Soccer grant, with support from KC Parks and Recreation, the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association, and presenting sponsor CVS Health. Coaches get free access to U.S. Soccer licensing. The 9th and Van Brunt fields went through a $3 million renovation that wrapped last July.

🎯 REAL ESTATE SCENE

​SPONSORED BY MOVING TO KC​

A beautifully updated two-story home in one of Lenexa’s most established neighborhoods just hit the market… and it offers the kind of space, layout, and everyday functionality that’s hard to find at this price point in Johnson County.

15013 W 77th Ter is located in the sought-after Wyldwood Hills neighborhood and features 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and more than 3,000 finished square feet designed for both comfortable daily living and entertaining. Built in 1992, this home blends timeless traditional styling with thoughtful modern updates throughout. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed by updated flooring, a formal dining space with an updated fixture, and a warm living area centered around a cozy fireplace.

The kitchen offers a clean and functional layout with refinished cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and generous prep and storage space that makes it ideal for everything from weeknight dinners to hosting friends and family. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite creates a true retreat with a double vanity, separate tub and shower, and two walk-in closets. One of the standout features here is the laundry access on both the main level and second floor, adding flexibility and convenience for busy households.

Located just minutes from neighborhood trails, shopping, dining, and everyday amenities, this home sits in a highly convenient Lenexa location while still offering the feel of an established residential neighborhood.

🏡 Property Overview

Address: 15013 W 77th Ter, Lenexa, KS 66216

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Square Footage: 3,082 sq ft

Lot Size: 8,050 Square Feet Lot

Price: $515,000

📞 Ready to see it in person?
​Take a closer look at the details, and let’s get your tour scheduled!​

Listing Provided by: Kyle Talbot & Cathryn Byrom with Moving to KC | Keller Williams Metro

At Loans in KC, we understand that every financial situation is unique. That’s why we offer personalized loan solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with fast and reliable service.
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Mortgage rates change constantly, much like the weather, and they vary depending on your unique circumstances. Just like finding the right tool for a job, getting the right mortgage rate is crucial. Let us help you discover the perfect match with a FREE customized quote today! You’re not just another number to us; you’re part of the family.

🌆 This Weekend in Kansas City!