A Westside KC Story
Ask the average Kansas Citian about “The Westside” and you’ll most likely be met with a look of bewilderment. That’s because, although undiscovered by some, the Westside is anything but average. This urban neighborhood, tucked away just west of Downtown KC and north of Southwest Boulevard, packs a culture-filled punch that could be considered unusual to a mid-sized city in the Midwest.
With a diverse Bohemian flavor, local shops, and top-notch local restaurants, it’s no wonder that this petite neighborhood attracts many local artists and creative minds. In this neighborhood, one can find a remarkable variety of homes –from the brand new, million-dollar post-modern house to the 100-year-old run-down shanty. This unusual contrast of neighbors is part of what gives the Westside its unique and quirky character. It’s an area where more people would love to live, which is why some developers see an opportunity to build more housing in the rental market.
When looking for shops to peruse, one can find plenty of local flare at Westside Storey. When it comes to KC pride, this shop has plenty of it. T-shirts, antiques, socks, soaps, jewelry, artwork and more can be found in this unique shop that is housed in an original 1920’s building where Stern’s Dry Goods operated in the 1920’s and 30’s. Westside Storey currently hosts over 20 local Kansas City companies and artists.
And if you’re looking for a local shop that gives back, you’ve gotta check out MADI Apparel! Founded by KC native, Hayley Besheer, MADI Apparel is a women’s undergarment brand with the dedication to Make a Difference domestically and globally. MADI is founded upon the principles of American manufacturing, self-sustaining fabrics/packaging and socially conscious global impact through underwear donations.
The Westside also draws plenty of KC foodies to the neighborhood, as it is home to several of the city’s finest dining establishments. Farm-to-table restaurants such as Blue Bird Bistro and Novel boast unpretentious menus with the finest ingredients from local sources. When walking into Novel, one feels as though he or she is arriving at his or her coolest friend’s dinner party. Novel runs out of an old 2-story house with almost as much charm as the food it serves. From the cocktails to the desserts and everything in-between, one cannot help but absorb every single harmonious detail that goes into one extraordinary dining experience.
A couple hundred feet away, the Westside Local is another fabulous establishment not to be missed. Proudly supporting local farms and small businesses, they are the epitome of what this small KC community is all about, and the menu does not disappoint.
FuD (pronounced “food) is another place where the consciously driven foodie can find what he or she is seeking in a place to eat. The menu is completely vegan and they use only the most sustainable ingredients that result in the lowest carbon footprint to the environment. All water used for cooking and drinking is fluoride-free and the produce is always organic and locally sourced when in season.
Experience a taste of France at the wonderfully authentic Chez Elle, where one can enjoy one of their sweet or savory crepes alongside a flavorful cup of coffee. Consistent with the Westside’s collective eco-friendly consciousness, Chez Elle uses paper goods made with biodegradable corn rather than traditional coal dust, and the café’s used coffee grounds are donated to be used as compost for local farms.
The Westside is certainly the product of an eclectic mix of urban dwellers with various ethnicities infused into one square mile of city. Art, expression, culture, and diversity are held to a higher standard in one of Kansas City’s most coveted neighborhoods. This hidden gem is definitely worth a visit…or several.