From Miami to the Middle of the Map

By Randy Mason 

Alfredo Garcia, PH.D. has spent most of his life near the ocean — first in Miami, then North Carolina, Boston and New Jersey. Even “across the pond” in London.

But that doesn’t stop him from declaring, “I’m very bullish about Kansas City. ”

Alfredo came to the region three years ago when his wife Ali was accepted into the Clinical Psychology program at KU.

“I’m an entrepreneur,” he says proudly. One whose resume lists advanced degrees in religion and sociology, with work in writing, fundraising and arts administration.

Last year, Alfredo turned his sights to real estate. As a principal with RG Capital Partners. he helps identify distressed properties that can be revived as offices, homes and artist enclaves, turning them into a profit for investors.

“Because I’m willing to take on the dirty, the nasty and the hard,” he explains, “people here have been willing to help me make it happen.”

Alfredo loves the data digging that comes with the job, but nothing replaces searching out rehab-worthy buildings tucked away in forgotten corners of the greater KC region.

Along the way, he enjoys finding good places to eat, drink and play, such as Café Corazón, a Hispanicowned coffee shop with locations in Westport and the Crossroads. Or Afterword Tavern & Shelves, where he loves to “geek out” perusing books on display while sampling a craft cocktail.

For a memorable meal, Alfredo is known to highly recommend James Beard Award-recognized Corvino Supper Club and The Antler Room.

He also has discovered a great Cuban sandwich in an unlikely place — near the Croatian Cultural Center on Strawberry Hill.

Blue Caribe, he’s happy to report, serves “the closest taste to home.”