Kansas City, Kansas, opens vacant storefronts to attract new investors

For decades, the commercial core of Kansas City, Kansas, has been defined by shuttered doors and empty windows. Next week, local leaders are changing that narrative by unlocking several vacant buildings for prospective entrepreneurs. The Downtown Shareholders of Kansas City, Kansas, is hosting its second Open Space Tour to give visitors a direct look inside properties along Minnesota Avenue, Armstrong Avenue, and surrounding corridors.

The event is scheduled for two sessions: Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The tour is free and open to anyone interested in leasing commercial space or investing in downtown properties. Organizers aim to move beyond the visual assessment of driving past a vacant lot and allow potential tenants to envision their businesses within the walls of these structures.

Dawn Rattan, executive director of the Downtown Shareholders, said the goal is to rewrite the city's story. Rattan, who grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and previously operated a business at the Legends, said she wants people to experience the area firsthand. "We want people to come, experience downtown Kansas City, Kansas, have a great experience, and just go out into the world and share that with other people," Rattan said. "Consider investing, consider living here, and understand that it’s not the KCK they’ve heard about." She compared the process to trying on shoes, noting that people are more likely to buy a pair if they test them on first.

Matt Watkins, a commercial real estate agent and board member of the Downtown Shareholders, pointed to specific economic drivers that are shifting the market. He cited an $85 million institutional investment by Kansas City Kansas Community College for a new downtown facility. Watkins also noted ongoing municipal upgrades to parks and libraries, as well as an influx of Hispanic-owned businesses expanding from Central Avenue to Minnesota and State avenues. "The barrier to investment is really low here," Watkins said. "So you can get into and start a business here at a level you won’t find anywhere else."

Watkins argued that the return on investment in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, can be three to ten times higher than in other parts of the metropolitan area over the next three to ten years. He stated that the civic core is ready for tenants who want to be part of the solution, adding, "It’s time for folks to understand that there’s a good nucleus of folks here that are willing to invest in business and know that it’s safe and clean and a good place to come."

In the nearby Strawberry Hill neighborhood, local entrepreneurs are already operating under a model of mutual support. Andi Ryan, co-owner of Beverly’s, spent 24 years in the hospitality industry before returning to open her own bar. Ryan said the strength of the area lies in its tight-knit network of independent shops. "What’s cool about Strawberry Hill is all of the owners are so supportive of each other. And we spread the word about each other," Ryan said. She said she wants to see that energy move north into the historic buildings of downtown.

During the tour, organizers and city representatives will provide informational packets detailing space availability, historic tax credits, small business incentives, licensing, and city permitting processes. The participating spaces are located between 6th and 10th streets.