© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Reopened Kansas City Restaurants Are Still Struggling To Survive

Mark Albrecht
Urban Cafe, located on Troost Avenue, is one of many local restaurants struggling to remain afloat. Co-owner Rashaun Clark said she asked for a PPP loan from the federal government, but never heard back on their application.

Restaurant owners are simultaneously dealing with employees testing positive for COVID-19 and less business than usual, and the experience of eating out doesn't provide the same feeling of camaraderie.

"I don't really have time to talk to people anymore, to have that sense of community with them," Heirloom Bakery co-owner Scott Meinke said, "which is really sad because that's about 50% of the restaurant — connecting with your customers."

Stay Connected
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.