Buying Black on Troost
The historic Troost corridor is home to so many incredible Black-owned businesses: read on to find some of writer Kara Johnson’s favorites:
Photo by Kara Johnson
This summer’s Economic Blackout sparked society’s interest in buying from Black-owned business. It seems that everyone has a guide for buying Black (we have a big list of our favorite businesses & services, here)– but in Kansas City, there’s an added responsibility to also frequent businesses along Troost.
Troost Avenue has long been considered the dividing line between East and West Kansas City, and is the reason KC has been considered one of the most socio-economically divided cities in the United States, according to Time magazine. The Redlining practices that took place in KC are still felt in our city, as many businesses along Troost have less access to important resources to positively impact their business, and the lack of infrastructure on Troost has led to many abandoned storefronts and therefore, less foot traffic.
Admittedly, I’m no stranger to the goings-on along Troost. Earlier this year, I worked with local non-profit, Troost Market Collective, to develop and launch Explore Troost, a community page featuring businesses and services along Troost and the surrounding area (10th and 55th, North and South and from Prospect to Broadway, East and West, to be specific). While, for the purpose of this article, we will be focusing solely on businesses that physically reside on Troost– know that there are plenty of Black-owned businesses throughout KC to shop at and support.
This year, we have all been pushing to support local businesses this holiday season, and it seems especially important that during this season of local and social awareness, we focus our attention on a neighborhood that has long been ignored in our city.
For those that Need a Little Self-care:
Photo by Anna Petrow
Harvest Moon Botanica
4107 Troost, Kansas City
The amount of money I’ve given to Harvest Moon (a Black and indigenous owned women’s co-op) is kind of embarrassing, but I’m a sucker for a WOC collective that features handmade products for your home and body. From lusciously whipped body butters to cleaning supplies to intention candles, you’re sure to find a unique treasure for yourself or a friend who has taken a dive into all things natural, handmade and holistic. The collective also hosts a wealth of community events (pre-pandemic, and something to look forward to, of course) that span from business advice to making smudge wands.
Photo by Kara Johnson
Pinklipps Cosmetics
1112 East 47th Terrace, Kansas City
The second I realized there was a cosmetics store in Kansas City, I nearly flipped my lid. When I learned that same company was Black woman owned, I was certain I died and went to heaven. Kenyata Gant, lovingly known at “Pinky,” has been grinding away developing high performing vegan cosmetics at an affordable price since 2011, when she started developing her own make-up line in her kitchen. The kitchen creations organ story is pretty common among Black-owned businesses. A quick google of popular hair care brands that are Black-owned will prove my point. At 2014, Kenyata became a self-taught MUA began selling her products to her clients. In 2016, Kenyata opened the Pinklipps store front and has since expanded beyond lipstick to eyeshadow palettes and more. Pinklipps is a favorite of mine– my 1983 lip stain is FIRE. Apart from the cosmetics, they also offer MUA services for weddings, proms, photoshoots etc. and her team makes an effort to use black-owned make-up lines. House brand included.
For the Foodie:
Photo courtesy of Go Chicken Go
Go Chicken Go
5101 Troost Ave, Kansas City
Go Chicken Go has been around as long as I can remember. I think my first time eating there was with my grandmother. From the moment I took my first bite, I couldn’t understand why I had spent so much of my life, up to that point, eating Popeye’s. Go Chicken Go originally started as a Gas Station in KCK that also served chicken before people caught on that the chicken was too good to handle. Their first Missouri location happens to be the one on Troost, and now has 5 locations across Missouri and Kansas. Go Chicken Go has been a Kansas City staple for years, serving up fried chicken in their signature red boxes. I can’t really explain what makes their chicken so good, it just is. I guess it’s kind of a “if you know you know” type of thing. Did I mention that you can order chicken liver and gizzards? Not my cup of tea, but if you are always thinking, I’d kill for some fried chicken liver and gizzards– they’ve got you covered.
Equal Minded Cafe
4327 Troost Ave, Kansas City
An unassuming meeting space that offers, coffee, smoothies, pastries and sandwiches. The front of the house at Equal Minded Cafe looks like your typical coffee shop, perfect for having a meeting or grabbing a quick bite to eat, but the back of the house features a large event space along with some offices available to rent.
Photo by Anna Petrow
Urban Cafe
5500 Troost Ave, Kansas City
Fresh in all the right ways, Urban Cafe offers traditional comfort food with enough elevation to amen you feel like a grown up but not so much that it’s pretentious. Urban Cafe works with local farmers in the area for their food and even makes a few condiments in house.
Soulcentricitea
1106 E 30th St, Kansas City
Before Soulcentricitea took over the former Blip Roasters space across the street from Ruby Jeans, it was a gift and tea shop in the space that is now Harvest Moon Botanica. Now offering teas and a safe space for community, owner Nika Cotton has made Soulcentricitea exclusively a tea shop where you can get a classic green or black tea or more unique combinations like the blue milk boba. Nika is very knowledgeable with her tea and it’s properties. Watching her put together a Blue Milk boba for me told me that she is very intentional and that shows in the menu she has curated and the space she has created.
For the Fashion Forward:
UnLESHed+
3945 Troost Ave, Kansas City
Touting an “As Seen on Ellen” sign, UnLESHed+ kind of feels like Troost royalty. And if you were to ask owner, Alesha Bowman, her store was created to ensure every womxn left her shop feeling like royalty. Developing a love for thrifting while shopping with her grandmother, Alesha combined that with her love of fashion and design to create UnLESHed+, a plus size resale shop that caters to womxn size 14 & up. This cozy little shop features photos of beautiful, fierce looking women in all the latest fashions and a rose petal wall to get the perfect shot for Instagram.
Blaque Onyx Boutique
4731 Troost Ave, Kansas City
Just around the corner from Pinklipps is Blaque Onyx Boutique that features on-trend and street style fashion for every body. Styles range from the classic jumpsuit to a spicy pleather number that’s sure to turn heads…in your living room, right now, at least! Anyone who tells you you can’t look like a baddie in your own home is crazy. Plus you’re gonna want a cute dress for when this pandemic thing is all over.
BLVD 816
1121 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City
We’ve talked about a lot of boutiques for the gals, but this one is for the boys. Nestled in the same complex as Pinklipps and Blaque Onyx, BLVD816 features Streetwear apparel from prominent brands like A.K.O.O., Cookies and Lacoste.
New Additions to Troost:
The Combine: a pizzeria, deli, bar combo that recently opened in the Wonder Shops + Flats building across the street from Ruby Jeans. The name is an homage to the combines used to harvest wheat and owner Alan Kneeland’s desire to promote unity in the community. The Combine features sandwiches made in house and pizzas made in collaboration with Pizza 51.
Love is Key: A new brunch concept on 30th and Troost that fuses the salty with the sweet in some of the most dangerously delicious of ways. Sure, chicken and waffles are good, but a waffle sandwich? Yes, please. Love is Key also offers catering services for that End of the Pandemic party you’re gonna be throwing. The story behind Love is Key is just as sweet as their Brunch combinations. The concept is a hybrid of co-owner Tameisha Martin’s mother’s vision to spread love through food and education and her grandmother’s dream to open her own restaurant to feed the community.
