Drinking Coffee in KC: Neighbors Coffee + Hospitality
We’ve revived the series that helped launch Explore–
we take our coffee seriously, over here!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
If you travel straight down The Paseo, until the road narrows and the speed limit reduces and the world around you feels a little small town, almost, you will almost have no choice but to happen upon Neighbors Coffee + Hospitality. Just before the welcoming blue warehouse on your left, you will find a parking lot designated for the shop to conveniently park, so no need to wander the neighborhood in search of a spot. The mural on the side of the building is welcoming and enhanced by the natural beauty around it.
If the garage doors are both closed, then you can walk just to thr right of them, around a beautiful willow tree, to access the shop. You actually enter the front door directly into the washroom area. Though, the space has been decorated in such an inviting way that you would almost not even know. The advantage of this layout is that you can clock the restroom as soon as you arrive, so you don’t have to waste your energy stressing about asking about looking around too much or asking about it.
The bar is decorated with striking bone colored tile, a pop of texture with a calming, neutral backdrop. The bar area is small, just big enough for two or three baristas to inhabit the space at a time. The people working that day were incredibly talented at dancing around each other in a very synchronous and efficient way while they knocked out orders like a one-two punch.
By the counter, you notice that Neighbors has invested in their own hydroponic growing system so that they can provide some of the greens in their food from the space. Their permanent menu is printed and framed modestly above the greens, next to a cute art piece of the shop. Rotating menu items can be found at the counter or on their social media channels.
If you are lucky enough to visit while the weather is nice, you may get to enjoy an open garage door with a view of the outside greenery. I witnessed this encourage a sense of community between people who were seated inside waiting for their beverages, and people sitting on the patio.
While there are not a lot of spaces with outlets, the abundance of space does encourage some work or study time, if your tech is charged up.
I enjoyed a seasonal latte, an iced beauty that had just a subtle hint of sweetness to it. Well balanced, I was a very big fan. My friend had some beautifully made matcha latte. We audibly gasped at the way it bubbled over the top of the cup when the barista walked over with it.
The very special mission of this community space, however, originates from its owners, who are residents of the Marlboro neighborhood it resides in. Neighbors is a nonprofit coffee roaster committed to employing and educating those who are aging out of the foster system, geared to uplift the immediate community. The shop has several “buy it forward” programs, and their wholesale opportunities directly benefit various Kansas City based non-profits. It’s always great to sip for a cause!
