In The Loop: January 15
Your connection to Downtown Kansas City
Why didn’t I think of that in the first place….
For more than a year now, I’ve been trying to get ahead of the game — trying to expand our Downtown Loop content and offerings while simultaneously bringing you the weekly “In The Loop” newsletter.
Then, last week it occurred to me: If I published the email once a month instead of once a week, I could actually provide expanded, better quality content for Loop readers.
Why did I even try publishing once a week in the first place? Well, because The-Powers-That-Be said frequency was the key: Publish, publish, publish!
So I did.
But if I had relied on my own intuition (like wanting to buy a condo in the 1990s when everyone told me that “Kansas City is not a condo town”), I would have focused on quality over quantity from the very start.
So, now, that’s what I plan to do. We’ll skip next week’s “In The Loop,” publish the last newsletter of the month on January 29, and then from there we will publish “In The Loop” on the last Sunday of each month (Feb. 26 would be the next one after Jan. 29).
With the extra time, we’ll publish more original features such as Downtown Digs (a peek inside Downtown homes and offices), in-depth historical pieces, interviews with and profiles of Downtown people (maybe some in podcast form), and more.
I’m really looking forward to adding to the vision I have for the KC Downtown Loop in 2023. Please spread the word to help build our audience!
Trivia Question
Starting something new today. No prizes or praises, just a trivia question to test your Downtown knowledge….
Q. Last month, Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein posted on social media this 1977 image from Downtown Kansas City that he presumably took during a visit to our city that year (although it appears Blondie did not perform in KC that year; they performed at the Uptown with The Kinks in 1978). So, what are the cross streets for this image, and what are the two buildings shown?
A. See the answer below the “Signboard Hill” section of advertisers at the bottom of this issue.
And now, on to the The Loop….
Missouri’s tallest skyscraper opened 35 years ago
The law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon began moving into Missouri’s largest skyscraper in late January of 1988. The firm’s new home — One Kansas City Place — opened with 42 floors at a height of 623 feet (not including a 31-foot antenna spire). The glass building at 1200 Main Street was designed by architects Patty Berkebile Nelson & Immenschuh to mimic Kansas City’s 30-story Art Deco City Hall, which had stood just a few blocks east since 1937.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon has since moved a few blocks south to Crown Center, and St. Louis-base Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is now One Kansas City Place’s largest tenant.
Jesse James, Jr., wed in Downtown KC 123 years ago
On Jan. 24, 1900, the son of outlaw Jesse James, Jesse James Jr. (known in his youth as Tim Edwards), was married to Stella McGowan at the home of his bride’s parents near Broadway and 18th streets. The couple had met at the Jackson County Courthouse while Jesse Jr. was being tried on the likely bogus charge of train robbery. (The New York Times wrote of the trial in 1898: “…up to the time of his arrest … [James had] borne an excellent reputation … and many of the best men in [Kansas City] have come out in his defense.” The accuser later admitted that he had lied about Jesse Jr.’s involvement.)
Among the small group of wedding guests was Jesse’s Jr.’s uncle, Frank James. His mother, Zee, who remained distraught over her son’s media-circus trial — even though he had been acquitted 10 months earlier — was too sick to attend the ceremony in the McGowans’ parlor at 415 Landis Court (the homes and street no longer exist). After the vows were made and a celebratory supper, the couple took a carriage to their home at 3402 Tracy, where the groom’s ill mother offered her blessing to the pair. Zee would die fewer than 11 months later, at the age of 55.
Jesse Jr.’s grandmother, the notorious Zerelda James Samuel, was also too ill to attend, although she would live another 11 years after the wedding.
Jesse, Jr., was a cigar store owner at the time he met his wife, but would eventually graduate from law school and open a practice in Kansas City. In the 1920s, he, Stella, and their four daughters moved to Los Angeles, where he remained until his death in 1951.
Dr. Thomas C. Unthank born in 1866
On next Sunday’s date in 1866, Thomas Unthank was born in Greensboro, N.C. Unthank would become a physician and community leader in Kansas City, advocating for the opening of General Hospital No. 2 in 1908 — the first public hospital in the United States used exclusively for minority citizens.
KC Restaurant Week
January 13-22 is Kansas City Restaurant Week, when patrons of hundreds of area establishments can find cool prix fixe dining opportunities, usually lunch for $20 or dinner for $50 or $55 — with a portion of revenue donated to Cornerstones of Care this year. But as KCUR’s Celisa Calacal points out, “…many establishments are still struggling with staffing even while they're expecting bigger-than-normal crowds.” Here’s her advice on how to make #KCRW2023 a good experience for you — and for the people busting their butts to serve you.
LINK: Restaurant Week can bring out the worst in diners. Here’s how to be a good one
And here’s the KC Restaurant Week website for you to peruse menus and more:
LINK: Kansas City Restaurant Week 2023
Wine magazine calls J. Rieger & Co. a “bucket list” drinking spot
As reported first by the Kansas City Business Journal, the 60,000 square-foot J. Rieger & Co. distillery and bar complex in the East Bottoms has been cited as a must-see venue among some of the most notable bars in the world.
LINK: 8 Bucket-List Drinks Spots Around the World
No waiting in line at Crossroads grocery market
Community Groceries at 640 E. 18th Street in the East Crossroads is the first in Kansas City to implement two Amazon technologies, the most notable, perhaps, being the ability to leave the store with groceries — but without going through a cashier’s lane or self-service check-out line. Startland News tells more:
LINK: Just Walk Out: Crossroads Market features Amazon tech for checkout-free convenience
KC Streetcar’s “Main Street Meet Up” at Uptown Lounge
This month’s “Main Street Meet Up” will be at the Uptown Lounge piano bar at 3400 Main (the old Davey’s Uptown Lounge). The meet-ups feature KC Streetcar Constructors representatives on hand to discuss the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension project with anyone who wishes to drop by on a casual, come-and-go basis. The January event is this Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and — just a tip for those who imbibe — order the El Diablo cocktail.
LINK: January Main Street Meet Up
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You can Venmo a one-time gift of any amount to @kcdowntownloop, or use the QR code below. There are no benefits to making this gift, but you still have access to the free weekly emails and online content — along with our never-ending gratitude.
(FYI, Pure Missouri is a sister business to The Loop. I’m trying to change the display name to “The Loop,” but Venmo won’t allow the change currently.)
1901
On Jan. 26, 1901, the power house of Kansas City’s Metropolitan Street Railway Company on the southeast corner of Ninth and Washington streets (across the street and a little west of The Peanut today) caught fire. According to the Feb. 9, 1901, issue of Street Railway Journal, the fire destroyed 60 cable cars and 1,200 gallons of coal oil. The fire also killed a beloved horse that had pulled cars into the barn for years. Designed and built by Robert Gillham in 1885, the power house was the oldest cable barn in the city, and third-oldest in the country when it burned.
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Downtown Lens: A single image depicting the urban aesthetic
Who are all these people?
Answering the question “Who are all these people and where are they going?”, The Loop brings you a list of some of the biggest events happening Downtown each week. Please give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to audiences and attendees of….
TODAY
Last day, Monster Jam at T-Mobile Center
Last performance, Kansas City Symphony presents The Fountains and Pines of Rome, Plus Mozart's Third Violin Concerto at Kauffman Center
TUESDAY the 17th
Hadestown: The Myth. The Musical, Jan. 17-22 at the Music Hall
THURSDAY the 19th
Miki P and the Swallowtails at the Folly
The Kansas City RV Show, Jan. 19-22 at Bartle Hall
FRIDAY the 20th
Miguel Zenón Quartet at the Folly
Kansas City Symphony presents Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" and The Barber Violin Concerto, Jan. 20-22 at Kauffman Center
SATURDAY the 21st
Jeezy at the Midland
Friends of Chamber Music present Festive Hungarica at the Folly
ONGOING
Sensatia, Cirque Cabaret, through Feb. 4 at the Grand Theater, Crown Center
Crown Center Ice Terrace 2022-2023 Season, through March 12
Maya: The Exhibition, extended through March 12 at Union Station
For a more exhaustive list of everything happening Downtown, go to the VisitKC events page and use the “regions” function to search for Downtown, Westside/Southwest Blvd, West Bottoms, River Market, Power & Light, Crown Center, Crossroads, 18th & Vine — or anywhere you want to go in the KC Metro
For live Kansas City Jazz performances, visit LiveJazzKC.com
The Loop Wants to Know….
Did you see this week’s question? If not, your chance to chime in is here.
Got a tip or question about Downtown KC?
Write to: tips@kcdowntownloop.com or contact The Loop via social media
Kevin Worley, Co-Publisher/Editorial
Joe Nichols, Co-Publisher/Business
Become a Founding Subscriber
In addition to having access to all content, and receiving invitations to The Loop’s Downtown events, Founders Level subscribers ($200 annually, or any amount above) receive a Downtown Loop sticker, a T-shirt in their choice of fit, size, and color, and recognition on the website.
THANK YOU TO THESE FOUNDING SUBSCRIBERS….
Karin (Erickson) Bradford
Henna and Steve Fuller
Chris Gahagan
Bob and Susan Hiatt
The Kiwinda-Tinsley Family
Todd and Donna Martin
Jane Reed and Mark Patterson
Anonymous
Until next week — enjoy the city!
Trivia Answer
Q. Last month, Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein posted on social media this 1977 image from Downtown Kansas City that he presumably took during a visit to our city that year (although it appears Blondie did not perform in KC that year; they performed at the Uptown with The Kinks in 1978). So, what are the cross streets for this image, and what are the two buildings shown?
A. Cross streets: Ninth and Cherry, looking west. The foreground building is the Blackstone Hotel, opened in 1925 and put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The background image is the early Kansas City Public Library building, opened in 1897 and also on the National Register. The Blackstone, still standing but empty today, was unique in that it was a rare 1920s-era hotel that featured an attached parking garage (which also offered valet and car-washing services). It is presumed that Chris Stein took the photo from the Travel Lodge Motel, possibly known as the Cherry Street Inn by that time, but that structure no longer exists. (I’m also guessing the photo may be from 1978, not 1977.)
