– “A Dash Down Delaware” – December/January 2008
WRITTEN BY: Alexi Kontras
TOC Blurb: Urban Times explores one of Kansas City’s most unique streets – and profiles a diversity of equally distinctive businesses along its length.
PULL QUOTES-
“This neighborhood is a gem,” says DE Lofts agent Courtney Beaumont, “it’s the kind of place where you walk down the street and actually say hi to people.”
“I’ve always loved this street,” says Natalie George of Hairspray Café, “it’s the kind of street that you want to go down and see what’s new, what’s going on.”
“We get great local support,” Leah mentions, “and this area very much has the feel of a small-town in the big-city, with an electric energy that we love being a part of.”
The river market area is one of downtown Kansas City’s most confident and cohesive neighborhoods. Crouched upon steep bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, this diverse district has seen many businesses and residents come and go in its 150-year history, and most recently a new generation of creative entrepreneurs and city dwellers have been thriving within its historic boundaries. While the popular City Market may be the symbolic heart of the neighborhood, it is along Delaware Street that one can find a rich slice of Kansas City’s soul. Come with us as we examine some of the colorful history and modern entrepreneurs that together make Delaware one of the classic city streets in our region.Kansas City as we know it was born along a stretch of riverfront near the current landing of Grand Avenue. The surrounding area quickly blossomed into a bustling center of trade and commerce, and Delaware Street was at the center of this vibrant young town, it’s northernmost stretch extending down the long hill toward the river that fueled its growth. The evidence of a vibrant 19th century economy still survives in the collection of historic buildings that line the street, many with ornate facades and quietly whispered secrets. The Pacific House Hotel, for example, 401 Delaware Street, was originally built in 1860 and can count local outlaw Jesse James and a variety of Union Army soldiers, who occupied the building during the Civil War, as some of its more notable guests. In the mid 1970’s the area was reborn as a vibrant nightlife district known as the River Quay, until a rash of mob-related crime and nightclub bombings put an end to that reincarnation. Today, the handsome buildings sit among large shady trees and brick sidewalks, and they are being reborn with a wide variety of new businesses and residents. Delaware is again functioning as one of Kansas City’s great streets, and best-kept secrets, thanks to the efforts of a number of people who are investing their time and talent in its future.Wandering down Delaware can be an experience in itself, and one is quickly struck by the variety of businesses and residents and their close proximity to one another. DE Lofts, the major residential developer along the street, owns five buildings along Delaware that contain street-level retail and condo and apartment space, and the tight-knit character of the community is not lost on them. “This neighborhood is a gem,” says DE Lofts agent Courtney Beaumont, “it’s the kind of place where you walk down the street and actually say hi to people.” The congeniality that Mr. Beaumont mentions can indeed be felt all along this historic thoroughfare, the sense of a community pulling together in a single direction. “When we lease out our (retail) spaces, we try to put in things that will benefit the neighborhood, destinations for people to go to,” Beaumont says, noting DE Lofts commitment to enhancing the character of this unique urban district. By providing residential space along the street, DE Lofts not only adds to a growing downtown neighborhood but also provides a stream of regulars for the businesses they lease space to, creating a dynamic mix of uses that is seen all too rarely in this city.Just across from DE Loft’s sales office, one can find Asian antique dealer Silk Road Travelers, lured into their relaxing space by the sweet smell of incense and the friendly shop dog, Blue. Owners Pamela Johnson and Robert Eppes opened their business with a bang last August, hosting a large gathering celebrating 08/08/08, a powerful symbolic day in China and the kick-off of the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Johnson and Eppes travel to Asia multiple times per year to hand pick fine furniture and accessories for their store, and Johnson helped to import the feel of the store as well as the merchandise after living in Shanghai with her husband for many years. “This is where I shopped (in China), the smell, the feel,” she says regarding the zen like calm of the Silk Road space.
Even with their international ambitions, however, Delaware Street called out to the business partners after a year of searching for the perfect home for the business. “The history of this street is pretty phenomenal, and so many people come down for the cultural things going on,” Eppes says, “It’s just a great fit for us.”
Venturing a bit further north, one comes across the colorful storefront of Hairspray Café, a creative take on a neighborhood salon. After moving to the city market from Overland Park, employees have embraced the beauty of Delaware Street. “I’ve always loved this street,” says Natalie George of Hairspray Café, “it’s the kind of street that you want to go down and see what’s new, what’s going on.” Pampering nearby residents and others from all over the metro, this funky little shop has seen success helping folks make a statement, and with it’s trendy shop and dedicated customers, adds to the unique statement that businesses along Delaware Street represent as well.Right next door to Hairspray Café, Eljay’s Coffee provides locally produced food and drinks and a community gathering space, including spacious sidewalk seating along Delaware. Inside, with warm colors, strong coffee and the requisite Wi-Fi and newspapers, Eljay’s has the kind of classic coffeehouse atmosphere that is getting harder to find. Started by mother and daughter team Joy and Leah Koesten, Eljay’s functions as something of a neighborhood living room and cultural center, providing third Friday gallery openings and live music on Saturdays. “We get great local support,” Leah mentions, “and this area very much has the feel of a small-town in the big-city, with an electric energy that we love being a part of.” Part of that vibrant community mindset also plays into Eljay’s determination to use only local products and to maintain an environmentally friendly business. “We try to support as many local businesses as possible, and we recycle everything we use...we even compost our grounds into our garden every week,” Leah says, reinforcing the important role Eljay’s plays in the river market community.After enjoying a cup of coffee at Eljay’s, one can step across the street and into the imaginative realm of Fresh Take Marketing, one of a number of creative businesses that calls the river market home. Fresh Take produces design, advertising and web design work out of their stylish loft-like space. Cara Windsor, sales manager at Fresh Take, loves her firm’s street level space and the feel of the area – “you can walk outside, and there are lots of friendly people here. Going to the office here is like being in a neighborhood, but going to work,” Windsor says. The density of innovative businesses is another plus, adding to the interconnected nature of those who live and work along Delaware. “All of the people here that have their creative businesses get together and share ideas, or have a barbeque,” Windsor adds, “It’s a really collaborative neighborhood.”Helping fuel that connection and the sense of energy along the street are another of Delaware Street’s quiet surprises – the great restaurants. Café Al Dente and Delaware Café each anchor a corner of the street, on 5th St and 3rd St, respectively. Café Al Dente is a cozy spot that has satisfied river market diners for years with hearty Italian food, while Delaware Café has seen a recent infusion of creativity and talent with a new chef and adventurous fare. The critical acclaim that Delaware Café has received in recent months has only served to enhance the image of the street as a center of innovative ideas and people. Both places feature broad patios where neighbors and business owners alike can socialize and share in the inviting atmosphere of the street and a good meal.With a tight-knit community that encourages the transfer of ideas as well as the simple pleasure of a neighborly hello, Delaware Street doesn’t have to look back to it’s rich history to be proud. It can look forward to its next century, powered by the hearts and minds of a new generation of businesses and residents who are eager to capitalize on its vast potential.
