KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 29th November 2025

At these 6 Kansas City craft shops, you can handmake holiday gifts — or keep them for yourself

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.If you’re dedicated to giving your loved ones the most unique holiday present this year, you could start with one of the many holiday artist markets happening around Kansas City.But you must admit: Nothing beats a handmade gift infused with your love. For those who feel comfortable DIYing, here are six places in Kansas City to make a one-of-a-kind gift.Embrace y...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 22nd November 2025

Check out these 6 Kansas City maker’s markets, fairs and festivals this holiday season

Shopping at a large box store for holiday presents might be easier, but buying directly from local artists, makers, and small businesses will give you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other.Kansas City businesses need your support, so this year, head to your talented neighbors and spend your dollars where they matter the most.Here are six holiday maker’s markets around the Kansas City region where you can buy thoughtful presents for every loved one in your life.Looking to support some local...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 11th October 2025

5 art exhibits in Kansas City you should catch this fall

Kansas City’s art scene is poised for a bountiful harvest this autumn with an impressive lineup of visual art exhibitions — many of which focus on the earth, land, motherhood and the elements.We are in for a season of reconnection and self-reflection, so if you need to slow down from a busy summer, check out our guide to must-see art exhibits and spend a day quietly connecting with your creative side.“Sensual, imaginative, and sublime” are the words that come to mind immediately after viewing th...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 6th September 2025

Our favorite Kansas City skate parks for all skill levels

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Kansas City has a robust skateboarding community, and it’s easy to see why. Skating is thrilling, and a great way to meet new friends.Intimidated about starting? You don’t have to be. There are plenty of skateboard clinics for newcomers around town, including ones organized by GOSKATE, KC Longboard Community and Varsity Skate.Whether you're a skateboarding newbi...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 2nd August 2025

Kansas City's art scene will delight you this summer. Here are 5 exhibits to check out

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Summer is always the peak art season in Kansas City, featuring everything from farmers markets and vendor fairs to art and music festivals.If you’d rather stay in the comfort of an air-conditioned room, our city’s galleries have lots to offer, too. We’ve selected five exhibits on display this summer from artists based in and near the Kansas City metro.The Kansas...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 19th July 2025

Kansas City's food truck scene is heating up. Try these 6 Asian and AANHPI kitchens

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Authentic pho on wheels? Korean BBQ served on a bun? Yes, please!In the past few years, Kansas City has seen a surge of food trucks opened by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) chefs and foodies, serving up innovative dishes, classic street food and more.With summer farmer’s markets, vendor events, and art fairs happening all over the...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 3rd May 2025

A guide to Kansas City's many farmers markets: When and where to find local produce

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Great news for people who love cooking, eating, or just shopping on a weekend morning: Kansas City’s many farmers markets are reopening for the season.You probably know of the big one at City Market, which has stalls open year round. But across the metro area are other markets where you’ll find true treasure troves of local farms, artists and artisans — grab a l...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 19th April 2025

Kansas City bookstores: 6 small but mighty independent shops you should know about

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Do you love reading by the window as a storm roars on the outside? Or sipping some tea under the sun outside of a coffee shop, losing yourself in a beautiful story or touching prose?The Kansas City region has some great independent bookstores for the bookworm who is ready for their next chapter. You may already know some of the biggest and oldest, like Prospero'...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 29th March 2025

Kansas City's art scene is in full bloom this spring. Here are 6 exhibits you need to see

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Birds return. Plants sprout. As spring brings us refreshed beginnings, we can look forward to new perspectives and open dialogues from Kansas City’s local artists.If you are hoping to fill this season with meaningful artworks, here are six must-see exhibitions happening around town.“Water You Cannot Hold” features two Kansas City-based artists: abstract painter...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 22nd February 2025

Some of Kansas City's best barbecue is found at these Korean and Japanese restaurants

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Kansas City is proud of its barbecue, and rightly so. Whether you’re team Joe’s or team Arthur Bryant’s, put the differences aside — because we are venturing into BBQ from the other side of the world.That’s because Kansas City also has a scene for Korean and Japanese barbecue, where you may not find burnt ends but you will get all the things we love from KC BBQ:...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 25th January 2025

What is Kansas City's most romantic restaurant? Try these 7 lovely date night spots

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan your perfect date night.Start with our favorite fun activites for adults in Kansas City, then take a midday break at a local distillery. Move forward with some shopping at a vintage store or visit one of these winter art exhibitions.Finally, wrap up your day with a perfectly romantic m...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 25th January 2025

Popular Kalamazoo Taco Restaurant to Relocate to South Haven | What Now Detroit

After serving the Kalamazoo community for the past year, Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey is now moving to South Haven, according to an update shared on the restaurant’s website. The restaurant opened at 215 E. Michigan Ave on Jan. 14, 2024. and is now moving to 248 Broadway St in South Haven this spring.“We decided to relocate because we felt that South Haven was a better business opportunity. Unfortunately downtown Kalamazoo didn’t take off as we expected and we were forced to make a quick dec...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 13th January 2025

A New Japanese Restaurant is Coming to Ann Arbor | What Now Detroit

Downtown Ann Arbor is getting a new Japanese eatery. Tabe, with its name referring to “eating” in Japanese, will fill the former Jim Brady space at 209 S. Main St. The new concept is brought to the public by 168 Group, which also owns 168 Asian Mart, 168 Nail Supply, Pop Chicken, Beyond Home, Lao Pot and Fuji Buffet in other parts of Michigan. This news was first seen in MLive.Jieyu Wang, 168 Group’s chief administrative officer, told MLive that “Tabe plans to be a high-end Asian fusion restaura...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 13th January 2025

Hot Dogs and Chili are Coming to Holland | What Now Detroit

D Dogs (Daya Dogs), a new restaurant featuring fresh made hot dogs, homemade chili, and macaroni & cheese with various customizations, is coming to Holland in February. The upcoming fast-casual eatery is filing the space at 12719 Riley Street, which was previously a Spectrum store.“We are not going to claim to be the best Hot Dog establishment because we want you to be the judge. We make our chili and mac and cheese fresh every day and it is fabulous. If you are like us, you love a great America...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 13th January 2025

Four Man Ladder Hospitality to Open New Fast Casual Concept | What Now Detroit

Detroit-based restaurant management company Four Man Ladder Hospitality is heading into the new year with its first fast-casual restaurant project. Anticipated to open in the summer of 2025, the yet-to-be-named concept will fill a nearly 1,000-square-foot building at 22305 Woodward Ave in Ferndale.“Over the past nine years, our beloved Grey Ghost burger has developed a loyal following,” chef and co-owner John Vermiglio said in a statement co-owner Jill Giacomino shared with What Now Detroit. “It...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 4th January 2025

Kansas City's art scene is a perfect winter escape. Catch these 5 exhibits before they close

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Kansas City’s galleries and artist-run spaces are heading into the new year with promising momentum — so should you.There have been plenty of holiday markets and holiday-themed shows going on, including Hallmark’s Christmas town square at Crown Center. But if you want a spectacle that is not holiday-related, the galleries and art museums around Kansas City offer...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 29th December 2024

Local Business Owner to Open Event Venue in Former Guardian Brewing Space | What Now Detroit

Candice Grant, co-owner of The Grant Collection and a few other Grand Rapids venues, including Ivy House and Port 393, is turning the former Guardian Brewing space at 3657 63rd St into a new event venue called Emerson Lounge. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled on January 14 to debut the new venue to the public.“The Grant Collection is excited to celebrate the grand opening of Emerson Lounge—a stunning venue that blends rustic charm with refined elegance. Perfect for corporate gatherings and...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 29th December 2024

The Congregation Owners to Build Pizza Restaurant Next Door | What Now Detroit

Betsy and Greg Murdoch, Amy Peterson, and Antonio Luck is the power team behind the beloved Detroit church-turned-gathering-spot, The Congregation. Now, the group is making a new investment to turn the building next door at 1920 Atkinson St into a pizzeria with apartment complexes above. The new pizza shop will be called The Rectory and is slated to open in Q1 of 2025. This news was first seen in Crain’s Detroit Business.The project received its zoning approval back in 2020, with Peterson leadin...

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR • 28th December 2024

Here are 6 ways to explore the Kansas City region north of the Missouri River

This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.Kansas City’s Northland is a vast and growing region — exploding in population over the last decade and a half, and becoming more of a cultural and political powerhouse.What exactly counts as the Northland, may depend on where you are standing. Beyond the northern neighborhoods of KCMO, you’ve got Clay and Platte County, with towns like Riverside, Platte City, G...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 28th December 2024

New Brewery Set to Debut in Saugatuck Next March | What Now Detroit

Reed’s Livery, a historic building at 248 Culver St in Saugatuck, was originally built in 1905. Now, two executives behind multiple Grand Rapids breweries are in the process of opening a new 3,700-square-foot brewery in the building. This news was originally seen in Crain’s Grand Rapids. The yet-to-be-named brewery is anticipated to open some time next March.Industry veterans Brooks Twist and Wesley Noble, who previously owned and managed popular breweries Vivant Brewery and Spirits and Founders...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 27th December 2024

A New Thai Restaurant is Coming to Ann Arbor | What Now Detroit

The space that once belonged to Ann Arbor’s Greek icon KouZina Greek Street Food is finally getting new life, having sat vacant since KouZina’s closure last December. Chef Teerawat “Apple” Pho-On has begun to remodel the building at 332 S. Main St. to become the future home of his new concept, Eat Thai. This news was first seen on MLive.Pho-On told MLive that he anticipates the construction to be completed in the next few months. The chef is a notable figure in the local Thai food scene. Having...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 27th December 2024

This Staple REO Town Diner is Relocating to Old Town | What Now Detroit

Good Truckin’ Diner, having served REO Town since 2014, has outgrown its current space at 1107 S Washington Ave and is planning to relocate to The Creole building at 1218 Turner St. in Old Town. Owner Nick Sinicropi told What Now Detroit that he is getting the new space ready and anticipates to fully move over by February 2025.“A farewell to an 850 sq. ft. building, to wonky bar stools and open-door drafts, to hour-long waits and a farewell to REO town, well sort of…” the diner announced on Face...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 22nd December 2024

Owner to Replace Isalita Cantina Mexicana with New Event Space | What Now Detroit

Ann Arbor’s Isalita Cantina Mexicana has officially closed on December 22. Owner Adam Baru is converting the space at 341 E Liberty St into an event venue called Mani Next Door to compliment, literally, his restaurant, Mani Osteria & Bar in the adjacent space. This news was first seen in The Michigander.Isalita Cantina Mexicana opened in 2012 and has since served the neighborhood with authentic Mexcian fare. However, growing competition in the cuisine and the high competition density drove Baru...

What Now Detroit: The Best Source for Detroit News • 22nd December 2024

This Portage Icon is Now Under New Ownership | What Now Detroit

Franco’s Italian Pizzeria, a Portage staple at 8022 S. Westnedge Ave, has changed hands as former owners Franco and Francesca Impellizzeri retire after serving the community with delicious food for 41 years. New owners Corey and Jason Milbeck have been learning the authentic Franco’s recipes since August, according to MLive.“As we move forward, we want to let you know that we have sold our restaurant and passed the pizza paddle on to an experienced and passionate couple who share our values and...