KC Perky

In a jealous attempt to keep up with this blog, the Coffee Map is back now too and getting better than it ever was before.  As you will see, it is now going to show if the shop has WiFi available for customers.  If you know a place to have WiFi and I don’t have it marked as such yet on the map, let me know, I’ll get it corrected.  The map now also has some tea listings!  We’ll get more as Karen gets rolling.  While I’m feeling ambitious, are there any other map-related requests any of you have?

What is a coffee shop at its core?

• Is it a place to get good drinks?  Yes.
• Is it a place to read, study, or work?  Yes. (…and you’re getting closer to the mark here…)
• Is it a place to socialize?  Yes.

Its no surprise that when AXE classified KC as THE worst city in America for singles, coffee shops were one of their measurements (among many):

“Cities that are home to the least number of coffee shops per capita leave few good places for young people to converge and trade stories after a fun night out”

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After a 2 month hiatus, we’re back.  And just in time for Halloween monsters to get their coffee.

Wait, “We”?

Exciting news– Not only do you get me back, but you also get two more caffeine experts!  Karen Looney has joined KCPerky’s ranks and will be bringing you all things Tea.  From tea houses, to tea etiquette, Karen knows her leaves and is going to help us all know them too.  Also, Matthew Bunyard, a barista and frequent guest on this blog has signed up to help cover the plethora of shops we have in this fair city.  You can learn more about these fine folks on the About page.

Things to look forward to:

• Updated Map
• WiFi Listings on the Map
• Tea Reviews
• More Coffee Reviews
• An Obama Presidency

OK, that last one was just me, but hey, its my blog, my perrogative.  See you at the shops and at the polls.

First up, UMKC student Laura Katzer did a roundup of coffee shops near campus, and she did a very good job.  Go check it out.

Next up, again, KCPerky is in need of a Southland Correspondent.  “I am seeking somebody who lives /works in roughly the OP/Leawood area and is as crazy as I am to join me is my exploration. Email me if you’re interested.”   I know you exist down there, KC’s Ad Club just started their Southland Coffee Fridays.

As many of you long-time readers know, my yardstick of a barista’s skill / tools is a mocha.  I feel I have finally run my course with that on this side of 75th St.  As new shops pop up, that will still be my go-to, but a new day has risen and its name is Double Shot Espresso.  Look out, all you demitasse, I will be sipping from you shortly.  Will I like long shots?  Will I like ristretto style?  How many baristas will even know how to make a ristretto shot?  Hard to say. Broadway Cafe’s got the early lead on those.  The goal is to find an espresso just like the ones I had in Paris.  Those things are fantastic.

Speaking of Parisian coffee experiences, those long, narrow sugar packets they use there fit so nicely on a demitasse saucer.  I’ve already found I have trouble balancing our wider packets on the tiny plate.

By the way, I’ve got half-written reviews for Scooters, Main Street Cafe, Broadway Cafe, Mildred’s, City Market Coffee Shop, and JavaLand.  Somebody kick me in the butt to finish them, please.

Financial planners often talk about the “Latte Factor” as an example of how to save a lot of money by cutting just a little thing from your life: your gourmet coffee.  With everybody thinking we’re in a recession, I’m afraid too many people are taking this to heart.  That plus the heat of the summer seems to be taking its toll.  Just yesterday I learned of two more shops that have closed.  River Rock Coffee Co in Parkville and Waldo Coffee Cup.  This makes 6 closings that I heard of in just the last 8 weeks, not counting Starbucks shops!

Are there a bunch of openings I’m missing?  Songbird Cafe is a great new shop, but I can’t help but notice that its the ONLY opening amidst this flurry of closings.

They’re closing some KC Starbucks shops.

Just like they’re doing all over the country.

Meh.

• Elm Street location in Lee’s Summit
• H&R Block Headquarters store on 13th and Main
• 95th & Quivira
• College Blvd. & Pflumm

Sadly, I have to report yet another shop closing.  Rev! Cafe and Gallery.  When they opened 4 months ago,  I had high hopes, but realistic questions.  Mostly: how are they going to get people in the door?  It was a great little shop, don’t get me wrong, and they were fantastic people.  Its just that the location wasn’t condusive to their business.  Close, oh so close, but just out of the way enough.  Plus, I bet there are still some people who think the shop isn’t open yet– the ‘Coming Soon’ sign was there WAY longer than the actual shop.  They tried to do fun things with their space, generate some buzz, but none ever seemed to connect enough.

Alas.

No longer a full coffee shop, Planet Cafe has been downgraded to just a myspace page. They’ve been closed since June 29th. Kudos to AMNewsBoy for the tip.

Anybody need some run-down furniture?

In the productive department, The Broadway Roasting Company’s new location seems to be well underway. They’ve already closed down their east Westport location. This new location will be in the old firehouse just north of Broadway and Westport, near the BP.

Finally!  A new shop to really get excited about.  Songbird Cafe.

Hiding in the Fairfax District of Kansas City, KS for the last 4 months, Songbird Cafe seems to have brought the spirit of YJ’s Snack Shop to ‘The Other KC’.  Don’t get me wrong, The Q Brew in KCK is an endearing shop of its own accord, but its not a place I’d cross over for.  What aspects of YJ’s spirit do I see reflected in Songbird?  The non-assuming feel of the shop.  The lunch menu with just one meal on it per day (today: BBQ pulled pork).  The friendly-as-get-out service.  The clientele are real people too, not your average coffee-shop junkies (… you know, like me).

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I’m looking at you, awesome shops that have recently closed.  Crave Cafe.  Magazines and Coffee.  Cafe Nouri.  Nighthawks.

http://www.coffeeshopprofits.com/
http://www.crimsoncup.com/open_sevenstepstosuccess.php
http://www.espressobusiness.com/book.htm
http://www.homerscoffeehouse.com/new%20book.htm

Sure, each of these sites wants to sell you a book, but perhaps that’s what you need.  When not drinking coffee or grinding away at my day job, I do improv comedy pretty seriously.  How many books do I have on the topic of improv comedy?  Over 25.  And its not even my livelihood.  Certainly, you can afford 3 or 4 books before you go and buy your massive espresso machine.