Drinking Coffee in Kansas City: Parkville Coffee
We’ve revived the series that helped launch Explore–
we take our coffee seriously, over here!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
Walking into the front door of Parkville Coffee and down a short slope onto the concrete floors is incredibly refreshing in the summertime. The stone walls add character to the old space, with exposed beams making it feel like you are almost in a cavern of sorts. And since half of Parkville is in a cave, it suits the vibe.
The ordering counter lines most of the left side of the first floor in Parkville Coffee, consistently housing 3-5 baristas moving around, roasting beans, and providing excellent customer service. The playlist in the shop varies widely, but it is always a good time to catch nineties classics (like the theme song from A Goofy Movie) when you stop in.
Their counter displays a good assortment of bottled beverages and pastries, and their rotating menu is hand-drawn and usually incredibly cutely decorated for the season.
One thing you will notice - among several shelves of coffee beans, accessories, and trinkets - is this great pricing menu that shows all of Parkville Coffee’s wares. If there is something on the list that isn’t out on a shelf, feel free to ask a barista about it. Even if they are sold out, there is often inventory on its way or hidden somewhere behind the counter.
Having issues finding a place to hang on the first floor? Straight back and up the stairs is a spacious living room-like area, with an assortment of sofas, armchairs, and tables set up for the optimum work/study experience. It is truly an ideal setup for the college students just up the hill, but is always a great spot for people working remotely to set up for a few hours.
There is an assortment of indoor plants that add to the natural elements in the space. With a funky, eclectic mid century modern esthetic, the space itself is inspiring to be in. They often host local author events, book clubs, and other meetups both downstairs and upstairs. You can pop in between 6am and 5pm during the week, and 7am and 6pm on the weekends.
Another fun aspect of the shop is that they have books, magazines, and games strewn about in the upstairs area. The space is child-friendly, as evidenced by a few toys tucked into the corner. The space is big enough that you feel far away from other groups, but maintains its intimacy - perhaps partially because of the ceiling height and creaky floors.
Before you step out, make sure to visit the little Book Nook in the back of Parkville Coffee. The owners are dedicated to promoting local authors, in line with their semi-regular author chats and events. They stock a variety of genres, including children’s books, historical fiction and nonfiction, novellas, classic picture books, and beyond.
**Fun fact: My grandma’s book “Native American Resilience” is featured on the shelves of the Book Nook!
