The Pitch: Best of KC 2022 (November 2022)

Editor-in-Chief

Brock Wilbur

President & Chief Operating Officer

Andrew Miller Director of Marketing & Promotions

Jason Dockery Associate Editor

Steph Castor Community Manager

Sarah Sipple Music Editor

Nick Spacek Film Editor

Abby Olcese Calendar Editor

Thomas White

Little Village Creative Services

Jordan Sellergren House Designers

Miroslav Pavlovic

Cassondra Jones

Contributing Writers

Emily Cox, Liz Cook, Barb Shelly, Beth Lipoff, Michael Mackie, Kristen Thomas, Tyler Schneider, Kala Elkinton, Michael Cripe, Jordan Baranowski, Tyler Shane, Justin Burnell, Emeline Hutton, Lauren Textor, Sophia Johnson, Isaac Biehl, Caroline Rose Newman, Nina Cherry, Adrian Torres, Patrick Moore, Kate Frick, Hannah Strader

Contributing Photographers

Zach Bauman, Chase Castor, Travis Young, Jim Nimmo, Chris Ortiz, Destiny Frack, Barry Meitler, Archana Sundar, Angela C. Bond, Anna Perry-Rushton

Contributing Designers and Illustrators

Alex Peak, John Alvarez, Jake Edmisten

Editorial Interns

Grace Wilmot, Ivy Anderegg, Drew Windish

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4

Letter from the editor by brock Wilbur

Greetings from the Heartland!

Sometimes, we’re gritty; sometimes, we’re glossy. But from now until the end of time— Kansas City, we love you.

The heartbeat of The Pitch. Here are some honorable mentions that have truly gone for the gold this year.

16 Your Picks by Pitch readers

Your vote matters. Here are the Best of KC 2022—the people, plates, places, and experiences to write home about.

Letter from the Editor

By Brock Wilbur

Time to get down and dirty. And we mean really dirty. We’ve ventured high into the metro’s glistening vistas in search of all the best KC has to offer. But that would be only half the scientific process required to de termine this year’s true Best Of 2022. Glitz and glamorama we can totally get with, but that’s just one of many disguises we’re not afraid to don.

To capture the secret sidesteps and the superlative situations, this is our annual si ren call to the scribes of this scrappy scoun drel society. We call on them for the singular mission of sniping the slices of our succulent city you simply must sample. With love and squalor—after a year of unceasing pendu

lum swings between the highest highs and the lowest lows—we are ready to present the sharply sub-examined superheroes and staggering successes of the best goddamned city in America. [Yes, we will fight you, shouldst thou dissent.]

To quickly review the rules of the road in this month’s rag:

The first half of the pages you are cur rently holding belong to us. This is a collec tion of blurbs and micro-celebrations of an eclectic mix of all the people and places that rocked our 2022—and that you should track down, or make time for in the year to come. We had so many more excited rants to share, but there are only X number of pages, and we didn’t want to hog the dead trees. Luckily, we’ve got a magazine every month between now and the end of time, so we’ll inevitably get around to the rest.

The second half of our glossy book here belongs entirely to you. That’s right, you did this. Specifically, 510 categories had 2,911

nominations, which lead to an online vote involving 469,847 cast votes. 30,720 Kansas Citians made their voices known, and select ed the bright shining stars from each of our 11 groups, from BBQ to Sports & Rec to Wed dings. No one at The Pitch weighs in on these votes—this has always, and will always, be long to the people. We reiterate this because, if you don’t agree with a winner, don’t get mad at us. Get mad at your friends for having bad taste.

And with that, let’s dive in. Congrats to all the winners. And congrats to all the read ers who will get to use this as a map to the stars of our fair city, whether you’re from here forever or just tumbling through for the weekend. KC has so much to be proud of, and we actively radiate with joy for all of you.

Pitch in and we’ll make it through,

Cover by Cassondra Jones & Miroslav Pavlovic

6 our Picks by Jordan baranowski, Steph Castor, Tyler Schneider, Nick Spacek, brock Wilbur

Providing the best cancer care for Percy isn’t just for Percy.

When we see a cancer patient like Percy, we also see everyone who loves them. Our relationship extends to those folks as well. It’s for them as much as patients like Percy that we do absolutely everything we can to provide the most comprehensive, leading-edge care.

To schedule an appointment, call 913-588-1227 or visit KUCancerCenter.org to learn more.

By Jordan Baranowski, Steph Castor, Tyler Schneider, Nick Spacek, Brock Wilbur

MAKING MOVIES BROKE THE FOURTH WALL

Our August cover story featured one of the metro’s greatest exports: the band Making Movies. Since 2009, the group has toured the world, been nominat ed for a Latin Grammy, and featured on NPR multiple times. Their mix of cumbia, psychedelia, American roots, Son Cubano, and spoken word—all passed through a heavy rock and roll filter—is so singular that it becomes its own genre. The band has spent the year supporting the release of their lat est (blistering) album, and cracking the boundaries for new level of adoration and success around the globe.

But to label Making Movies as merely a band is reductionist. The dudes in charge of making sure this party never stops have also kept their fingers firmly planted on the pulse of KC’s musical future. Their group Arts as Mentorship has been provid ing free music lessons and comped record studio time to kids across the city—especially those who could nev er access this otherwise—while also pairing them to wildly famous musical mentors. Ameri’kana, their live festival event, helps raise funds that support the kids, up-and-coming bands, and even helped finance a brand new re

cording location/business office this year, as the Chi brothers increasingly invest in making sure the next gen eration of Citian rockers have every advantage Making Movies never had on their come up. To support Making Movies is to support the future of men tal health, moral support, and musical mastery in the metro. You’re basically obligated to pick up a copy of the 2022 album ameri’kana right now. Well, what are you waiting for? Open that phone and get to blasting those tracks.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

Is it usually a cynical marketing ploy when a brand discontinues a popular, beloved item? Sure it is. Does that stop us from getting excited when that item returns? Ask the McRib. What is some thing to get genuinely excited about is when one brand stops making an item, and someone else steps up and re leases something similar—and better. Tiki Taco did just that with their Tiki Choco, a riff on Klondike’s Choco Taco. Through a collaboration with High Hopes Ice Cream, the Tiki Taco team brought back the summer ice cream truck fave, and it’s even better than you remembered. As Tiki Taco contin ues to expand with new locations—the original is on 39th Street, and a second

Making Movies. Photo by Luis Cantillo

opening on 54th and Troost—we can only hope they keep their fingers on the pulse of nostalgic sweets.

ZWEIHÄNDER AND BLACKBIRDS ARE THE DARK ENGINES DRIVING FUTURE LEGENDS

In 2017, Daniel D. Fox of Kansas City published Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG. The ENNIE Award-winning table top role-playing game (RPG) rocked the world of its genre—not just by be ing an incredibly fun time, but by run ning on a new game engine, that serves as the foundation for infinite worlds to come. The KC-based game hero has started running his own games divi sion at Andrews McMeel Publishing, and in 2022 released the first of many

new titles fueled, under the hood, by his Zweihänder syste. Blackbirds is a world of dark fantasy and darker choices, where fate and mortality are presented against a twisted morali ty. Despite the decidedly comedically bleak tone, the sun couldn’t be shin ing brighter on KC’s very own pioneer in the future of tabletop gaming. Find some time to gather your pals and take a little journey into a fictitious world

that wants to destory you. We promise it’s a delight.

QUICK TO SEE QUIXOTIC

Wowzers.

That’s it. That’s the review. Send Tweet.

[No for real, it’s difficult to put the myriad triumphs of one of KC’s best performance art/dance crews into words, especially in a year that saw them as icing on the cake wherever events were had. When you want any kind of installation work or an eve ning’s entertainment to kick to the next level, they’re who you turn to. Among their many highlights in 2022, you were lucky if you caught their rock’n’roll cir cus revue out by the casino, where they performed nightly to a backdrop of an empty racetrack while doing backflaps and twirling fire, all set to electro-cello covers of Britney Spears and Muse hits. Quixotic also just wrapped their “Dark Forest” show at Powell Gardens, which blended technology and music into a collision with ethereal vibes and made for the best haunted night imaginable. Can’t wait to see their Christmas show later this year, and just how they’ll up the ante with overwhelming talent yet again. Catch them literally anywhere you see their name mentioned on an event.]

THE COTERIE’S CHILDLIKE WONDERMENT IS ANYTHING BUT KID’S STUFF

We can’t get enough of The Coterie Theatre’s bite-sized musicals. One of two(!) different world-class perfor mance spaces hidden in the sprawl ing mall of Crown Center, Coterie is aimed towards young audiences, but is anything but “children’s shows.” As the creative group adapting their own versions of giant Broadway produc tions, Coterie has garnered national attention for serving as the spawn ing ground for shows that’ll travel the globe when their books are released to the masses. As international out

put, that’s a real feather in our cap as a city for cultural vanguards. But for those of us here in KC? Well, it’s hard to not fall in love with the rotating cast of performers here, and their alternating opportunities to shine. This year saw a delightful run based on the children’s cartoon Pete the Cat, which had just enough adult innuendo to (secretly) appeal across the audience spectrum. This was also the launchpad for a new musical adaptation of Alice in Wonder land, where Alice is a Black schoolgirl developing her own video game and attempting to topple a Queen of Hearts that’s a social media maven, streaming her way into evil machinations. Look, you aren’t going to find a production like that anywhere else. Here’s to Cote rie, who has something fantastic every month for younger audience, a talent ed team both on-and-off stage, and an apparently unending set of creative surprises up their sleeve.

If you’re at Crown Center, do give yourself time to catch something at the top floor’s Music Theater Heritage, whose 2022 was simply packed with a murderer’s row of stellar high produc tion stagings, includiung the best Cab aret we’ve ever seen and a Titanic that didn’t sink our spirits. Our thespian cup runneth over in the metro. Please enjoy with a pre-game of cocktails and Spin Pizza on the main floor.

SPEND THE NIGHT COMEDY

In a year that saw multiple visits from performers like Louis C.K., Bill Maher, Jordan Peterson, and *checks notes* Dave Chappelle, supporting local trans and queer comedians has never been more vital. Spend the Night is a travel

Spend the Night Comedy. Courtesy Stacy Cay

Tiki Taco’s new location at 54th and Troost. Courtesy Tiki Taco

Daniel D. Fox and Zweihänder Courtesy Andrews McMeel

ing LGBTQIA+ run show, breaking the barriers in comedy to create a fun, cute, and sexy space for everyone to enjoy. No more comedy that just punches down—here, everyone is safe to have a good time. Hosts Stacy Cay and Me gan Graves put together a slumber par ty-themed standup show with musical acts, dancers, and of course, some of the hottest names in funnyword speak ing into microphones. This delightful ly “powercute” snuggle sesh has been touring the country in 2022, and via their Patreon, you can catch a backlog of livestreams or attend their shows live. There’s really no reason to miss out on one of the city’s most progres sive nights of laughter and lingerie.

MELTING POT THEATRE

In a gorgeous building that’s hidden under a bridge entering Downtown, Melting Pot is doing groundbreaking experimental theater featuring BI POC creators and performers, and you probably didn’t know it was there. The crew here is developing stories and perspectives on tales old and new for audiences traditionally underserved by establishment theater. Among the shows staged there in 2022, there were a disproportionate number of produc tions that ranked among our year-end highlights from across the entire met ro. It seems difficult for Melting Pot to ever truly miss the mark, which makes it an easy “highly recommend” from us, should you get a chance to stop by. Even this year’s oddest entry, a re telling of Molière’s 1660 comedy The Imaginary Cuckold reimagined as a Black reality dating TV show, was so far out of left field that even with our criti

cisms of the production itself, it’s hard to shake such a daring concept. Simply put: you need to get out and roll the dice on a show here. They’re certainly betting big on themselves.

one spot, replete with a selection of tasty food and beverages is a straight jam. However, the idea of a sprawling pop-up nation can be a little intimidat ing, so the absolute embarrassment of riches of locally-focused music festi vals is a boon to those wanting to par ticipate in a gathering without feeling like they’re being buffeted by a barrage of people. The focus on Black culture that is SolSoul Fest, the psychedelic leanings of Outer Reaches, and the double-weekend, two-city exploration of Manor Fest are but a mere handful of ways music fans can find communi ty without being overwhelmed.

ELIZABETH BELDEN AT KC BIER CO.

better. I’m not the smartest person in beer, but I know where to send people. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish.” We’re simply lucky to have her in our corner. [Chicago, do not poach her. We need this.] Stop by KC Bier Co. and say hi to her over a pint and some nib bles—if you can catch her while she’s not in the lab, that is.

OFF-THE-GRID OFFERINGS FROM SALTWELL FARM KITCHEN

ODE TO CHEZ CHARLIE

A whopping 0.3 miles from the The Pitch headquarters, Chez Charlie is our local watering hole. We’ve spent many an hour taking up too much space at the bar with our laptops, having cele bratory deadline drinks, and gazing at the city’s best bathroom literature. We owe some of our highest highs and low est lows to those barstools. And what would a dive bar be without a handful of top-notch bartenders shooting the shit and calling us on our shit?

FESTIVALS FOR THE REST OF US

Don’t get us wrong: Boulevardia is a blast. National headliners, local he roes, and new favorites all playing in

One of the secret crown jewels of KC’s booze scene, Elizabeth Belden, got her rightful due in the May issue of The Pitch. We profiled the beer scientist and her work in helping this communi ty ferment into a delicious elixir for all. After years at the award-winning Bou levard Brewery, Belden bounced over to KC Bier Co. where she’s helping to develop the future of the defining fla vors in our ever-expanding palate. “My hope for KC is that we can be a unified beer community, instead of thinking each thing we release is digging in to make something just for ourselves,” she says. “You can start something from scratch, and I try to be there when anyone is struggling. I know it’s a dumb cliché, but ‘no man is an island,’ and I like when the world sees KC’s island becoming exponentially bigger and

Saltwell Farm Kitchen came to life in spring 2021 when owners Shantel Grace and Chef Rozz ventured out to forage for native ingredients, an activ ity that would become the foundation for their livelihood. A rural drive on the Clinton Lake backroads led them to stumble upon the dilapidated 1856 McKinzie Farmstead adjacent to Rock Creek in Overbrook, Kansas.

Rozz and Grace have always been a dream factory. Even among the ruins, their vision of an inclusive, intimate, immersive, and accessible farm-to-ta ble fine dining experience became in stantly clear.

On weekends, they invite outside guests to get up close and personal with the land while honoring the char acter in all things repurposed. Visitors make the trek on Friday and Saturday nights to savor an eight-course chef’s dinner, complete with optional wine pairings and premium cocktails de

Secrets and Lies at the Melting Pot Theatre. Photo by TK Photography

Chez Charlie. Photo by Cassondra Jones

Elizabeth Belden stands by her product.

Photo by Chase Castor

signed by Kate Frick.

Just one year in the making, Salt well has indeed carefully translated feelings of falling in love, self-discov ery, and getting lost into an intentional and sensory experience. It’s not un usual for the juxtaposition of state poli ticians, renowned painters, magicians, and even a celebrity national champi on NCAA basketball coach to be seen at the farm. They mingle with tables, peruse the art on the walls made by queer folks and women of color, flip through poetry books, and tinker around on piano keys. They bypass dif ferences. They dig out their phones for a momentary selfie. They order anoth er drink.

STORY (STILL) DEVELOPING AT FILMX

In an age of TikTok and instant dopa mine hits, creating and savoring hon est art takes practice. There has been a clear resurgence of analog apprecia tion when it comes to music and vinyl records, but what about visual art?

Film photography offers an au thenticity that is unmatched by the dig ital world. Creators are starting to band together to re-introduce the lost art form of film development to the com munity and make it more accessible for everyone involved.

That’s where local photographer and artist Travis Young comes in. FilmX started as a small side project for him after learning how to ground him self through film photography. With the help of a few friends, Young want ed to create a dedicated space for film

processing that could be accessible to the community. In his words, “FilmX is a DIY, punk operation of film nerds helping film nerds.”

Since our article in May, FilmX has been inundated with orders, so… be patient? We promise, it’s worth it.

OTHER DIMENSIONS

Cory Imig’s abstract installations, gly neisha’s sacred spaces, and Kathy Li ao’s massive drawings constituted the Portals show housed within the Ner man Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College.

While promoted as one exhibit, there were truly three separate ones. Each artist was given their own space in which to make unique statements to cast us into their idiosyncratic dimen sions.

Each artist made us conscious of the space that we exist in and offered new perspectives on how we move through them. glyneisha, Imig, and Liao create portals to new dimensions of their own creation. Dimensions that are ready to teach us. Dimensions that tickle that part of our brain stuck in old patterns, and push us into new ones.

They show us that new patterns, new movements, new visions are avail able. This is what good art does: shakes us out of our familiar dimensions, transports us, and rewrites the spaces we exist in.

A SPACE TO RECOGNIZE BLACK FILMMAKING

Kansas City’s cultural contributions to the world at large are vast. We’re the home of the country’s best barbecue, the starting point of Negro League Baseball’s Golden Age, and the birth place of musical greats like Charlie Parker and Big Joe Turner. But one of the less-often discussed points is our region’s historical connection to cin ema—particularly cinema’s rich rela tionship to Black culture. Shawn Ed wards is helping to change that.

Edwards is the director of the Black Movie Hall of Fame, which cel ebrates Black contributions to the medium nationwide. The Hall lives in the renovated Boone Theater—itself a landmark of film, performing arts, and Black culture—in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.

In its heyday, the building sat alongside the Eblon, Lincoln, and Gem theaters as part of the vibrant jazz-age

Shantel Grace and Chef Rozz at Saltwell Farm Kitchen. Photo by Steph Castor

Travis Young at FilmX. Photo by Chase Castor

culture that defined Kansas City from the 1920s through the ‘40s.

Last fall, the city approved Vine Street Collaborative’s plan to develop the Boone Theater.

Edwards says that, with the ren ovated Boone’s functionality as a the ater, the project serves as a puzzle piece, offering a service that’s currently absent in the district.

What was the best venue this year? Music or mixed? Does the continued success post-pandemic of Lemonade Park mean anything? Oh there’s that new punk venue that opened a few months ago in a warehouse that KCUR featured.

MAAC STRIKES BACK

Founded in February, the Models &

Artist Advocacy Council (MAAC) was the result of one pivotal discussion between friends and local models Kat Mock and Bianca Alonzo and designer Audrey Lockwood.

The trio was concerned about the state of consent in the local indus try after experiencing and regularly hearing about problematic situations that led them to advocate for change. They began laying out their vision for what would officially become MAAC, a non-profit organization focused on providing education, advocacy, and re sources for those working in the fash ion and entertainment industries.

We covered MAAC in our March cover story (“It’s All About Boundaries, Baby”) as they launched their web site and initial entry in their quarterly social media campaigns. Since then, MAAC hosted their first event, a panel that centered around consent and es tablishing professional boundaries, on

May 21, with a diverse group of panel ists from the local scene.

Their upcoming event, “Master Class: Communications on Set”, is set for Nov. 6, from 1-5 p.m. at Oread Stu dios (1210 W 8th St.). This workshop marks the second in-person event MAAC has hosted as they continue to strive to take steps forward to help create a safer, more inclusive culture within the fashion and entertainment industries.

BOLTON BOOTS IT TO THE BEAT, GOES VIRAL

Amber “AJ” Bolton, the viral queen of rhythm skating, is the vibe KC needed this year. Five years ago, Bolton was inspired by a YouTube inline skater to chase her dreams and began taking her craft to the next level.

Bolton started hitting area skate parks hard, especially Schweitzer Park, and later became a regular at Win nwood Skate Center, honing her skills through hours and hours of practice.

Her groove and precision have earned millions of views across her social media accounts. She has gained over 50,000 Instagram followers, thou sands of upvotes on Reddit posts, and even a sponsorship from Riedell. When Bolton is not out there vibing on the pavement, she also teaches lessons and has a passion for pole dancing.

Like many of us, Bolton was led to pursue her passions with an added vigor in part due to the isolation of the pandemic. She found that rhythm skat

ing helped with her anxiety, offering an outlet for her emotions in a community that was continuing to gain a following over the quarantine years and beyond.

Since her initial rise, Bolton has made it a point to give back to that very same community. She hosted her first workshop on her birthday in 2021 and has inspired many social media fans and local admirers to purchase their first set of skates.

“I was excited to share my creativ ity and content with others,” Bolton says. “Being a part of the skate commu nity is important to me. When I saw the growth of the community, I felt like I was a part of a moving force.”

A POLITICAL PIONEER

Manuel “Manny” Abarca energized voters en route to earning 58% of the Democratic primary vote Aug. 2, top ping a spirited three-way between himself, Justice Horn, and Geoff Ger ling to become the party’s nominee for Jackson County Legislator 1st District.

If Abarca defeats his Repub lican opponent, Christina Mc Donough-Hunt in the Nov. 8 general election, he will become the first His panic member to be elected to the county legislature in nearly a decade. Representing the district with the high est percentage of Hispanic residents in the county, Abarca hopes to follow Theresa Garza, the last Latino to serve as a county legislator.

That is a historic possibility. Also rare are the number of seats up for grabs in the greater Jackson County

Models & Artist Advocacy Council (MAAC).

Photo by Travis Young

“Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation” exhibit. Courtesy Johnson County Museum

Legislature, with every county resident being represented by a pair of legisla tors.

Both a KCPS Board Member and Treasurer for District 3, Abarca grew up in south Kansas City as the son and grandson of union truck drivers. He has also served as Rep. Emanuel Cleav er’s deputy district director.

The Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit, “Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation,” is a long needed crack in the wall that is suburban apathy to wards the racist tactic of “Redlining” that came to prominence in the 1930s. This is particularly significant for the Kansas City metro, an area that is quite familiar with the generational effects of such practices.

“Redlined” is perhaps the most effective and well-researched exhibit of its kind to open in Kansas City; the product of “hundreds of hours of staff research, utilizing over 120 books, scholarly articles, dissertations and newspaper articles, as well as thou sands of primary source documents housed at regional and national ar chives,” as explained on the museum’s website.

All in all, the result is a stunningly visual experience, complete with inter active maps which can show local and national comparisons of the practice at various points in time. Art from the Af rican American Artists Collective only adds to the ambience as we take in the data.

Special events have also enhanced the exhibit’s run, with the final, “Free dom to Discriminate,” a virtual presen tation from author Gene Slater sched uled for Nov. 30. “Redlined” will con tinue to operate through Jan. 7, 2023.

HIGH STEAKS BBQ

Competitive BBQ is not something we take to lightly here in the City of Foun tains. With an intricate scoring and judging system, several age and skill

divisions, and point-based team rank ings, the local scene draws competitors from home and abroad for events such as the American Royal World Series of Barbecue—the largest competition of its kind.

This year’s American Royal ran from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2, hosting 249 teams in its top level Invitational Competition and more than 500 in to tal at the Kansas Speedway.

The team Que U, from Gurnee, Illinois, took the steaks and raised them, earning the title with a score of 711.9656 over a rather distant run ner-up, Bushmaster BBQ (706.2628). Que U’s entry also took home the gold in the Open Competition—a historic feat in the world of barbecue.

Founded in 1899, the American Royal also hosts its own Barbecue Hall of Fame, with a class of seven new in ductees added to the list in 2022. Next year’s event is set for Sept. 27 through Oct. 1, 2023.

Our city even went so far as to host the high-steaks Made For KC BBQ Championship June 11-12, offering a one-year licensing opportunity for the grand champion to include their recipes on the menu of an upcoming 8000-square-foot “Competition BBQthemed” restaurant in the new Kansas City International Airport starting in March 2023.

A comprehensive list of upcom ing competitions can be found at the Kansas City Barbeque Society website: https://www.kcbs.us/

THE CHIEFS ARE STILL THE CHIEFS WITH OUT TYREEK

When the Chiefs fell to Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in a 27-24 over time loss in the 2022 AFC Champion ship game—missing their first Super Bowl appearance in three seasons— the haters were quick to turn to doomand-gloom narratives.

The blows kept coming in the offseason as some key contributors moved on to new teams. Critics and even some fans proclaimed that the Chiefs were losing their recent, sus tained greatness. “What would Ma homes do without Tyreek Hill?”

Star wideout Hill wanted out and was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a slew of draft picks and then signed an extension to play there for four years for $120 million. Tyrann Mathieu, an instrumental defender in the Chiefs’ 2020 Super Bowl run, was also allowed to walk, signing with the New Orleans Saints for three years at $33 million.

All the while, the man left at the center of things, Patrick Mahomes, was dealing with criticism of his family, with semi-frequent public antics by his brother fanning the flames.

Winning seems to be the only way to silence the critics, and the Chiefs

have done that so far this fall to the tune of a 4-2 start to the season, despite having to juggle kickers on a weekly basis while Harrison Butker recovered from an ankle injury.

That familiar Andy Reid-fueled magic was on display for a national au dience Oct. 10 when the Chiefs hosted the Raiders for Monday Night Foot ball. Travis Kelce caught a ridiculous career-high of four touchdown passes to continue to solidify his legacy as the probable G.O.A.T. at the tight-end po sition.

This kind of stuff seems to happen weekly with this team, and we as Kan sas Citians should strive to always ap preciate their greatness in its full con text—even if we do, somehow, miss a Super Bowl once in a while.

ROYALS BITS

The Royals finished their regular sea son at an abysmal 65-97, but at least one season highlight came back in April, with some pretty sweet foun tain-inspired “City Connect” alternate uniforms. Those things are clean, man. Those mascot races are kind of under rated as well.

BRUNCH IS BACK, BABY

Bars and restaurants were hit extreme

JOCO MUSEUM’S “REDLINED” EX HIBIT HELPS KC VISUALIZE THE IMPACT OF DECADES OF RAC IST PRACTICES

Pinball at 403 Club. Photo by Kelcie McKenney

ly hard during the pandemic, but many of them were able to pivot to take-out options to help ease the burden. That said, some types of food do not travel well. At all. We’re talking brunch, y’all. Good news: brunch is back. No one wants to speed home with chilaquiles in a to-go box, hoping they haven’t be come a soggy mess by the time you can dig in. Cold eggs benny? GTFO. You owe it to yourself to get out to Westside Local, Room 39, Westport Café, Ça Va, or many of the other KC spots that are serving up Bloody Marys in full force once again.

SUPER JACKPOT

Pinball is an odd one in the realm of social games. While you play, it’s an inherently solitary sport, as directing your attention away for any moment could—and probably will—result in a drain. However, the community sur rounding pinball in Kansas City is an incredibly social, welcoming group, constantly adding new spaces and ways for players to get into the hob by. For our September cover story, we took a full plunge into the local pinball

scene, highlighting places to play, ways to play, tournament schedules, and more. Solid State Pinball Supply, 403 Club, Pizza West and Knub’s Pub in Shawnee—all of them are ready to eat your quarters in pursuit of those mul tiball thrills. Maybe you’ll even score well enough to achieve the ultimate arcade goal: adding your initials to the leaderboards. Well done, POO.

SPIRITS ARE HIGH

KC’s breweries often take center stage, from national powerhouses to local faves like Strange Days, Sandhills, Crane, and more. The distilleries of our fair city are nothing to scoff at, and many of them are throwing their weight around with major releases in unique styles. Union Horse Distill ing is helping to lead the charge for a new standard of identity in the whis key world with their release of Rivalist American Single Malt Whiskey. J. Rieg er & Co. continues to raise the bar with their Bottled in Bond Bourbon. Mean Mule Distilling expanded their spirit

base—while sticking to what they know best—with the release of their Agave Gin. All those (and more) started filling our rocks glasses just this year, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

GOOD FOOD POPPIN’ EVERYWHERE

Pop-ups are the hot trend in food, as it gives chefs a chance to find an au dience and showcase their dishes without the overhead of opening a full restaurant. It’s win-win for the spaces that host pop-ups, too—whether it’s a kitchenless brewery needing some snack options or a short-staffed event in need of catering. This year, we’ve seen a series of pop-ups in the Kan sas City area do some serious work in fulfilling our hunger. Tacos Valentina stays busy multiple nights each week, slinging their delicious visions of Mex ican street food. Big Head Burger origi nally began as a food truck in Waterloo, Iowa. You can still find them there, but they opened a second branch in Kan

sas City earlier this year and are pop ping up at a number of local breweries. Let’s not forget Devoured (spoiler alert: this year’s “Best Pop-up” winner), reg ularly serving up some of the city’s best pizza all around town. You can even catch them on the Hulu competition series Best in Dough

ALL AGES FOR OLD FOLKS

Lawrence’s Replay Lounge has been noted for their Sunday all-ages mat inees, but those patio performances usually lean toward folk or bluegrass. Thankfully, for those looking to ex pand their musical palate, these bills kick off at 6 p.m. for five bucks, mean ing neither your wallet nor your ability to crawl out of bed for work will take a major hit. Add in bills featuring upand-comers like Nightosphere, Per fume, Foil, and the Blast Monkeys, and these shows ought to become routine for anyone hungry for some new mu sical favorites.

SMALL BUT SCRAPPY

After the demise of the Riot Room, it seemed as though there’d be no place for fans to check out bands on the cusp of breaking into the mainstream that didn’t involve “ask a punk” or standing in a basement at midnight. Thankfully, the past year has seen the likes of North

Kansas City’s Rino and the sport com plex-adjacent Farewell Coffee & Booze take on new life, which have begun to attract those harder-edged, small er-scale acts once the Riot Room’s life blood. Thanks to the Rino’s Ben Wendt and Farewell’s Max Popoff, you can catch acts on their way up or see ma jor performers like the Acacia Strain up close and personal.

KC WANTED, GOT THE WORLD CUP

It’s an exciting time to be a soccer fan in Kansas City. In 2026, fans will line Arrowhead Stadium to see to see World Cup matches play out live on Missouri soil. By that time, a whole lot more will have changed for the better in the Kan sas City soccer scene.

The turnaround of the Kansas City Current in their second season of play while back in KC is a prime example of our city’s potential with the sport. After finishing last in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2021, the team had gotten off to a sour start on their 2022 campaign with four loss es and a draw through their first five games.

The Current came back to surge toward an improbable 10-6-6 record in the regular season, finally earning a playoff berth.

Amidst that remarkable onfield re versal, the franchise—owned by Chris and Angie Long and former collegiate

soccer player, Brittany Mahomes—also broke ground Oct. 5 on the first pur pose-built stadium in the world for a women’s professional soccer team. Once completed in 2024, this $117 mil lion stadium will seat 11,500 fans at the Richard L. Berkeley Riverfront Park.

The new stadium will also look to break barriers with the quality of its food service, as the team recently an nounced that Rye KC, owned by the award-winning husband and wife duo Megan and Colby Garrelts, will handle concessions for the venue. Colby was the 2013 James Beard Foundation Best Chef Midwest, while Megan has been a finalist for the award several times.

Ever the perrennial underdog, Kansas City was the smallest of 11 American metro areas chosen this summer to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, overcoming the likes of Phoe nix, Denver, Orlando, Cincinnati, and Nashville due, in part, to its centralized location among the host cities.

Kansas City Current. Photo by Chris Ortiz

The Rino. Photo by Chris Ortiz

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LESLEY REYES CAFÉ OLLAMA

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Expect Plenty of Fanfare at the 15th Annual Global Entrepreneurship Week KC

Calling all innovators and makers! The annual GEWKC, an event to celebrate KC’s ever-present entrepreneurial spirit, kicks off Monday, November 14, and runs through November 20. Now in its 15th year, the annual event has grown to become the largest Global Entrepreneurship Week in the U.S. based on the number of events, says senior director Michael Carmona.

While Global Entrepreneurship Week was initially created by the Kauffman Foundation in 2008 to introduce entrepreneurship to young people in six continents, KCSourceLink has led the Kansas City version of GEW. It has since grown into a behemoth, weeklong entrepreneurship “conference” and networking meet-and-greet. “It’s an important week for us—and one of the biggest opportunities for people to learn about entrepreneurship,” says Carmona. “It’s ideal for small-business owners and operators to learn what they can do to take their first steps and next steps. Along with KCSourceLink, the Kauffman Foundation has really made sure GEW has the support it needs to reach new audiences.”

Not surprisingly, GEW is now celebrated in 170 countries today.

“The Lightbulb Goes On Over Their Heads”

With 150+ events scheduled throughout the week, it’s the perfect opportunity for aspiring and established entrepreneurs to garner new ideas, build their skill set, and start making their dreams a reality. “What’s really exciting about GEWKC is almost all of the events are formed by small-business owners, by nonprofit organizations, by professors and other folks who are a part of this ecosystem who are eager to share their insight and knowledge about small business,” says Carmona. “The events are produced by members of the community—and our group helps facilitate and organize that into one successful week.”

Camaraderie is the name of the game throughout the week, adds Carmona. “To make this a success, we want as many patrons as possible to feel like they’re a part of this movement. Perhaps to get an answer to a question they’ve had in the back of their mind or help increase their confidence. It’s the key piece of why we do what we do—bringing that community together. The collective vision of our community.”

Base Camp

Another addition this year is GEWKC’s convenient, centrally located base camp just north of the river. “We’ve previously held events from the 18th and Vine area to the Crossroads,” says Carmona. “This year we’re hosting it in North Kansas City. iWerx, an entrepreneurial co-working space, will be our central locale, along with several other businesses. We’re excited to tap into the regional tourism in the northland.” (Carmona even teases a special surprise event on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to be held at Screenland Armour for guests and attendees.)

“North Kansas City has always been known for supporting small businesses, so we’re really excited to work with some of those smallbusiness owners,” he says. From panels to workshops, each event is designed to help dreamers and doers find their footing in the entrepreneurial world. “For me, it’s seeing people get together and have a better sense of how we’re all connected—especially those who have faced some of the same challenges of starting or growing a business,” adds Carmona.

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BY

KC

BY MICHAEL MACKIE

by Pitch readers

BEST ART EXHIBIT

WINN er : A merICAN A rT D eCo AT TH e N e LSoN-ATKINS mUSeU m oF A rT

Finalists: Van Gogh Exhibit Kansas City at Lighthouse ArtSpace, Venusian Vigil at Vulpes Bastille, Visions from the Borders of Oblivion - Recent Paintings of John Kline at Artist & Craftsman Supply

BEST ART FESTIVAL

WINN er : PLAZA A rT FAI r

Finalists: Art Garden KC, Art Westport, Future Stages Festival, Kansas City Fringe Festival

BEST ART GALLERY

WINN er : KANSAS CITY A rTISTS

CoALITIoN

Finalists: Blue Gallery, The Darkwood House Gallery, Habitat Contemporary Gallery, Leopold Gallery + Art Consulting, MOD Gallery & Space, Weinberger Fine Art

BEST BLUES VENUE

WINN er : G ree N LADY LoUNG e

Finalists: BB’s Lawnside BBQ, Knuckleheads Saloon

BEST BURLESQUE TROUPE

WINN er : bU rLeSQU e

DoWNToWN UND erG roUND

Finalists: The Kansas City Canaries, Rude Revue and Burly Q

BEST CLUB DJ

WINN er : HU m AN Pe NGUIN

Finalists: DJ Tee LeChe, Mr. Nuro, Savage Habits, Sheppa

BEST COMEDY CLUB

WINN er : KANSAS CITY I m Prov

Come DY CLU b

Finalists: Barrel of the Bottoms, The Bird Comedy Theater, The Comedy Club of Kansas City, The Groundhog Day Theater, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, The Rino

BEST CULTURAL EVENT

WINN er : KANSAS CITY PrID e FeST

Finalists: Art Garden KC, The Cookout Juneteenth Jam hosted by Karmella Uchawi at Hamburger Mary’s, Dancefestopia, Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

BEST DANCE CREW

WINN er : b Pm DANCe Com PLe X

Finalists: E2 Dance Company, Kansas City Canaries, Nan + the One Nite Stands

BEST DRAG ARTIST

WINN er : DAISY bUCK eT

Finalists: Cynthia Doll, Geneva Stanwyck, Karmella Uchawi, KiYanna Uchawi, Lana Luxx, Romeo Eros, Victor Shawn Von Du

BEST DRAG SHOW

WINN er : D r AG brUNCH AT HA mbU rG er m A rY’S

Finalists: Boozincal Mondays at Fountain Haus, King Me at Missie B’s, SLAY at Missie B’s, The Stars of 39th Street at Missie B’s

BEST FASHION EVENT

WINN er : KANSAS CITY FASHIoN W ee K

Finalists: Heartland International Fashion Week, West 18th Street Fashion Show

BEST FILMMAKER (ARTISTIC)

WINN er : DAv ID WAYN e ree D

Finalists: Anthony Ladesich, Greg Sheffer, Patrick Poe, Patrick Rea, Ryan Njenga

BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT

WINN er : b IG SLICK

Finalists: AIDS Walk Kansas City, Apocalypse Meow, Braden’s Hope Gala, Charity HamBINGO at Hamburger Mary’s, Harvesters Forks and Corks, Wayside Waifs Fur Ball Gala

BEST HOUSE/COVER BAND

WINN er : TH e m80S

Finalists: The Cowardly Lions, Fast Times, Grand Villanova, The HooDoo’s, Lost Wax Band, Summer Breeze

BEST IMPROV/SKETCH TROUPE

WINN er : TH e KC I m Prov Com PANY

Finalists: The Bird Comedy Theater Players, Ham Kitty, Truck Noises

BEST JAZZ ARTIST

WINN er : LoNNI e m CFADD e N

Finalists: Adam Galblum, Alex Abramovitz, Eboni Fondren, Talya Groves

BEST JAZZ BAND

WINN er : H oT CLU b KC

Finalists: Alex Abramovitz and His Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band, Back Alley Brass Band, Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7, The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

BEST JAZZ VENUE

WINN er : G ree N LADY LoUNG e

Finalists: The Blue Room, Lonnie’s Reno Club, The Phoenix

Best Cultural Event: Kansas City PrideFest Photo by Jim Nimmo

BEST KARAOKE

WINN er : HA mbU rG er m A rY’S

Finalists: The Black Box, HOT MICS Entertainment, Missie B’s, The Piano Room, Stars N Bars Music, Woody’s KC

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (OVER 1,000)

WINN er : STA rLIGHT TH e ATre

Finalists: Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Azura Amphitheater, The Truman, Uptown Theater

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (UNDER 1,000)

WINN er : KNUCKLe H e ADS

SALooN

Finalists: Aura, The Levee, Nighthawk, recordBar, The Rino

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (LAWRENCE)

WINN er : TH e G r ANADA

Finalists: The Bottleneck, Jazzhaus, Liberty Hall, Replay Lounge

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE EVENT

WINN er : H e A rT oF A merICA

SHAK eSPe A re FeSTI vAL’S romeo AND JULI eT

Finalists: Kansas City Public Theatre’s Theatre Lab, Shelf Life, Unbreakable by Heartland Men’s Chorus, Whim Productions’ Alphabet Soup

BEST LIVE THEATER

WINN er : STA rLIGHT TH e ATre

Finalists: Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Kansas City Public Theatre, KCRep, New Theatre & Restaurant, Unicorn Theatre

BEST LOCAL ACTOR

WINN er : KATI e GILCH rIST

Finalists: Bradley J. Thomas, Evan Cleaver, John Rensenhouse, Patrick Poe

BEST LOCAL ARTIST

WINN er : SUSAN JACKSoN, TH e H e A rT AND HAND Co

Finalists: Colleen King, Katy McRoberts, Mark Exline, Susie Ostrowski, Vania Soto

BEST LOCAL BAND

WINN er : m AKING mov I eS

Finalists: Attic Light, The Black Creatures, Blackstarkids, Boxknife, No Sacrifice No Victory, Quite Frankly the Band, The Way Way Back

BEST LOCAL CRAFT ARTIST

WINN er : WHo IS SH e?

Finalists: April Kramer, Buffalo Bolt Jewelry, Creativity by Julia, Vann Damm

BEST LOCAL EVENT

WINN er : boULevA rDIA

Finalists: Art Garden KC, Bird Watching Film Festival, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, KC Oktoberfest, The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair

BEST LOCAL PODCAST

WINN er : TH e KC morNING SHoW

Finalists: BABES United, Beers with Nigel, It’s Always Sunny in Chiefs Kingdom, The Lawnarchy, Let’s Go to Court, The Little Studio Comedy Club Podcast, The Substance

BEST LOCAL STAND-UP COMIC

WINN er : brITTANY TILAND er Finalists: Ameerah Sanders, Andrea Caspari, Ryan Trickey, Teague Hayes, Zach Favorite

BEST LOCAL THEMED TOUR

WINN er : KANSAS CITY

GANGSTer ToU r Finalists: Barley Bus Tours, This Kansas City Mama Holiday Lights Tour, Urban Hikes KC

BEST MOVIE THEATER

WINN er : SCree NLAND A rmoU r TH e ATre

Finalists: AMC Legends 14, B&B Theatres Mainstreet KC, Cinemark 20 and XD, Glenwood Arts Theater, Stray Cat Film Center

BEST MUSEUM

WINN er : TH e N e LSoN-ATKINS mUSeU m oF A rT

Finalists: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, Kansas City Museum, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

WINN er : boULevA rDIA

Finalists: Dancefestopia, Firewater Music Festival, Kansas City Irish Fest

BEST MUSICIAN

WINN er : CALv IN A rSe NIA

Finalists: Curt Whitaker, Drew Little, Nate Gregory, Nicole Springer

BEST NEW LOCAL ALBUM

WINN er : BY THY HAND bY TH e b LACK Cre ATU reS

Finalists: Chase the Light by Nicole Springer, Dollmination by Cynthia Doll, my dying wish by musicbyskippy, TimeThief by Frogpond, Trying by The Way Way Back

Best Local Stand-Up Comic: Brittany Tilander Photo by Good Bodies

BEST NIGHTCLUB

WINN er : m ISSI e b ’S

Finalists: Aura, Boogies Tavern, Fountain Haus, Mosaic Ultra Lounge

BEST NON-MUSIC PERFORMER

WINN er : QUIXoTIC

Finalists: Annie-Mae Allure, Ashley Personett, Sasha Blake, Stacey Cay

BEST OPEN MIC

WINN er : TH e PIAN o room

Finalists: Art Garden KC, Back2Basics at Missie B’s, HOT MICS Entertainment, Souls Sessions at The Kansas City Juke House, The Rino

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WINN er : boULevA rDIA

Finalists: Art Garden KC, Ghost Light, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Kansas City Irish Fest

BEST OUTDOOR VENUE

WINN er : STA rLIGHT TH e ATre

Finalists: The Black Box, Grinders KC, Knuckleheads Saloon, Lemonade Park, Velo Garage and Tap House

TIME IS RUNNING OU T

Organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska. Paul T. Frankl, designer (American, born Austria, 1887–1958); Warren Telechron Company, manufacturer (Ashland, Massachusetts, 1926–1992). Modernique Clock, 1928. Chromiun-plated and enameled metal, molded Bakelite, brushburnished silver, 7 3/4 x 6 x 3 1/2 in. Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, Gift of Michael Merson, 2010.0670. Image courtesy of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver. Photo: Wes Magyar.

BEST PAINTING PARTY

WINN er : brooKSID e Cer A m ICS

Finalists: Apple Pie Painting, Expressive, Hawaii Fluid Art, Kreeayt

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (ARTISTIC)

WINN er : SA m ANTHA Lev I

Finalists: Ben McBee, Janet Ryan, Jason Piggie, Katie Rich

BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

WINN er : CHICK e N N PICKLe

Finalists: Animal Wonders, Fresh Factory KC, Kreeayt, MY Play Cafe, The Party Trend, Skate City Shawnee

BEST PLACE TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY

WINN er : FUNKY ToWN

Finalists: Boogies Tavern, Fountain Haus, Missie B’s, Woody’s KC

BEST PLAY

romeo AND JULI eT - H e A rT

oF A merICA SHAK eSPe A re FeSTI vAL

Finalists: Collective Rage - The Black Box, The Holy Trinity - Kansas City Public Theatre, The InheritanceUnicorn Theatre, Old Man and the Old Moon - KCRep, Sweeney Todd - Padgett Productions at the Warwick Theatre

BEST POET/SPOKEN WORD ARTIST

WINN er : m ADISoN m A e PA rK er

Finalists: Glenn North, Jose Faus, Poet Jen Harris, Simeon Taylor

BEST SONG BY A LOCAL BAND

WINN er : “ bre AK UP mUSeU m ”

bY NICoLe SPrING er

Finalists: “Barn Burner” by Bummer, “Hot in Kansas City” by Attic Light, “King of Clarity” by The Way Way Back, “Might Be” by Quite Frankly the Band

BEST THEATER COMPANY

WINN er : KCre P

Finalists: Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Kansas City Public Theatre, The Living Room, Whim Productions

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

WINN er : HA mbU rG er m A rY’S

ALL-STA r TrI v IA

Finalists: Big 5 Trivia, Bricks Pub & Grub - KC Trivia Geeks on Thursdays, Chicken N Pickle, Intelligence Check Trivia, The Piano Room, TNT: Trivia in the Tavern – Tower Tavern

BEST VOCALIST

WINN er : TALYA G roveS

Finalists: Casi Joy, Charles Pridgen, Joey Jones, Nicole Springer

BEST YOUTH THEATER WINN er : TH e CoTerI e TH e ATre

Finalists: Music Theatre Kansas City, Stage Right Performing Arts, Theatre for Young America

Best Vocalist: Talya Groves Photo by Zach Bauman

Best Barbecue, Best Barbecue Sandwich, Best Burnt Ends, Best Pulled Pork, Best Ribs, Best Sauce, Best Veg etarian Barbecue Dish, Best French Fries: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que

Photo by Zach Bauman

by

BEST CBD STORE

Finalists:

BEST DISPENSARY

BEST EDIBLES BRAND (CANNABIS)

BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINICIAN WINN er : D r . m ICHA e L P oPPA

Finalists: Dr. Herbert Dempsey (Lotalivin), Dr. James McEntire, Dr. John Collins (Releaf Clinics), Dr. Nathan Wegner (Kind Remedy)

BEST NEW DISPENSARY (OPENED AFTER 7/1/2021)

WINN er : G ree NLIGHT me DICAL m A rIJUANA DISPe NSA rY STATe LIN e Finalists: Feel State Dispensary, Fresh Karma Dispensaries - Midtown, From The Earth Medical Marijuana Dispensary Raytown, Good Day Farm Independence, Kansas City Cannabis - Lake Lotawana, The Source Cannabis - Raymore, Sunrise Dispensary

BEST PLACE TO BUY DELTA PRODUCTS

WINN

Finalists:

BEST VAPE CARTRIDGE BRAND

Expiration: 11/30/22

Best Place to Buy Delta Products: Dr. Smoke Photo by Steph Castor

BEST 3 AM BAR

WINN er : m ISSI e b ’S

Finalists: Buzzard Beach, Harry’s Bar & Tables, John’s Big Deck, miniBar, Nighthawk

BEST BAR

WINN er : JULe P

Finalists: Drastic Measures, Fountain Haus, Nighthawk, Oak & Steel, The Piano Room, Tiki Huna

BEST BAR [LAWRENCE]

WINN er : Free STATe

bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: Jayhawk Cafe (The Hawk), John Brown’s Underground, Louise’s Bar, Replay Lounge, The Sandbar

BEST BAR STAFF

WINN er : TH e PIAN o room

Finalists: City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, John’s Big Deck, Julep, Oak & Steel, Transparent Brewing Company, Tiki Huna

BEST BAR TO MEET PEOPLE

WINN er : JoHN’S b IG D eCK

Finalists: Oak & Steel, The Piano Room, ReRoll Tavern, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST BARTENDER

WINN er : H e ATH er PrICe AT TH e PIAN o room

Finalists: Aaron Galletly at City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Hannah Jones at Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kyle Howard at Oak & Steel, Tristan Uhl at Julep

BEST BEER TAPS SELECTION

WINN er : TAPS o N m AIN Finalists: International Tap House, Oak & Steel, Tap Shack, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST BLOODY MARY

WINN er : CHA r bA r Finalists: Bricks Pub & Grub, Chicken N Pickle, Cliff’s Taphouse, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, The Pressed Penny Tavern, Taps on Main

BEST BOBA/BUBBLE TEA

WINN er : D r AGoNFLY Te A Zo N e

Finalists: Blue Koi, Bruú Café, Fat Bee Cafe, GoCha Tea & Beverages, Kung Fu Tea

BEST BREW PUB

WINN er : m A rTIN CITY bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Diametric Brewing Co./ Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Torn Label Public House, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST BREWERY [LAWRENCE]

WINN er : Free STATe bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: 23rd Street Brewery, Black Stag Brewery & Pub, Fields & Ivy Brewery, Lawrence Beer Company

BEST CHEAP DRINKS

WINN er : TH e HI-DI ve LoUNG e Finalists: Chez Charlie, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, John’s Big Deck, The Levee, Lucky Boys, The Piano Room

BEST COCKTAILS

WINN er : SWorDFISH Tom ’S

Finalists: Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Chicken N Pickle, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Drastic Measures, Julep, Tiki Huna, Vignettes

BEST COFFEE SHOP FOOD/SNACKS

WINN er : meSSe NG er CoFFee Co. + Ib IS bAK erY

Finalists: Café Corazón, Café Ollama, Hi Hat Coffee, HITIDES Coffee, Made in KC Cafe, PH Coffee

BEST COFFEEHOUSE

WINN er : meSSe NG er CoFFee Co.

Finalists: Blip Roasters, Café Corazón, Café Ollama, Oddly Correct, The Roasterie, Summer Moon Coffee

BEST DIVE BAR

WINN er : TH e HI-DI ve LoUNG e

Finalists: Chez Charlie, Helen’s JAD Bar & Grill, Lucky Boys, The Piano Room

Best Cocktails, Best Manhattan: Swordfish Tom’s Photo by Zach Bauman

BEST FRENCH 75

WINN er : G ree N LADY LoUNG e

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, The Lobby Bar at Hotel Kansas City, The Pressed Penny Tavern, Westport Café

BEST GIRLS’S NIGHT OUT BAR

WINN er : HA mbU rG er m A rY’S

Finalists: Ça Va, Corvino’s Supper Club & Tasting Room, Society, Tin Roof

BEST HAPPY HOUR (DRINK)

WINN er : CAFe TrI o

Finalists: Brick House, Bricks Pub & Grub, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Oak & Steel

BEST HORSEFEATHER

WINN er : J. rI eG er & Co Finalists: Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Cliff’s Taphouse, Green Lady Lounge, Tiki Huna

BEST HOTEL BAR

WINN er : PerCH ero N rooFToP bA r Finalists: Bar Stillwell, The Drum Room Lounge at The Hotel President, The Lobby Bar at Hotel Kansas City, Nighthawk, The Oak Room, The Savoy at 21c, XR

BEST IRISH BAR

WINN er : K e LLY’S W eSTP orT INN

Finalists: Brady & Fox, Conroy’s Public House, Gaels Public House & Sports, Llywelyn’s Pub, O’Dowd’s Gastrobar

BEST LGBTQ+ BAR

WINN er : m ISSI e b ’S

Finalists: Bistro 303, Fountain Haus, Hamburger Mary’s, Woody’s KC

BEST LOCAL BEER (FRUIT BEER)

WINN er : bomb P oP (CITY bA rre L bre W erY + KITCH e N)

Finalists: Crimson Bog (Diametric Brewing Company), Freshly Squeezed Blueberry Lemonade Wheat (Fringe Beerworks), Honored Society (The Goat Brewing Co.), Mai Tai Wheat (Cinder Block Brewery), Pie-Eyed Piper (Rockcreek Brewing Company)

BEST LOCAL BEER (IPA)

WINN er : SPACe CA m Per CoSm IC IPA (boULevA rD bre WING Com PANY)

Finalists: Block IPA (Cinder Block Brewery), Double Double (BKS Artisan Ales), Rad AF (City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen), Vegas Daze (Rockcreek Brewing Company)

BEST LOCAL BEER (LAGER)

WINN er : DUNK eL (KANSAS CITY b I er Com PANY)

Finalists: Good Luck! (City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen), Premiant (Alma Mader Brewing), Real Fine Liquid (Cinder Block Brewery), Southwest BLVD (Boulevard Brewing Company)

BEST LOCAL BEER (SAISON)

WINN er : TANK 7 (boULevA rD bre WING Com PANY)

Finalists: Feeding Chaos (Pathlight Brewing), Oui Bit Fancy (Transparent Brewing Company), Pool Saison (Cinder Block Brewery), Trailsmith (Crane Brewing Company)

BEST LOCAL BEER (SOUR)

WINN er : Te A W e ISS (Cr AN e bre WING Com PANY)

Finalists: Crimson Bog (Diametric Brewing Company), Hibiscus Ginger Sour (Boulevard Brewing Company), Pie-Eyed Piper (Rockcreek Brewing Company), Raspberry Lime Sherbert (City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen)

BEST LOCAL BEER (STOUT) WINN er : H oUSe bre W (TorN LA be L bre WING Co.)

Finalists: King’s Brew (Rockcreek Brewing Company), Madam X (Fringe Beerworks), Tezcatlipoca (Diametric Brewing Company), Tippin’ Stout (Transparent Brewing Company)

BEST LOCAL BREWERY WINN er : boULevA rD bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: Alma Mader Brewing, The Big Rip Brewing Company, Casual Animal Brewing Co., Cinder Block Brewery, Crane Brewing Company, Rockcreek Brewing Company, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST LOCAL COFFEE BLEND WINN er : meSSe NG er CoFFee Co.

Finalists: Blip Roasters, Brewcinda Williams (Yippee Cafe), Ethiopia Natural (The Roasterie), Maps Coffee & Chocolate, Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company

BEST LOCAL COFFEE ROASTER WINN er : TH e roASTerI e Finalists: Blip Roasters, Broadway Café and Roasting Company, Headrush Roasters Coffee & Tea, Messenger Coffee Co., Monarch Coffee, Oddly Correct Coffee Bar, Parisi Coffee

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY

WINN er : J. rI eG er & Co.

Finalists: Lifted Spirits Distillery, Mean Mule Distilling Co., Restless Spirits Distilling Company, Tom’s Town Distilling Co.,Union Horse Distilling Co.

BEST LOCAL WINERY

WINN er : KC WIN e Co

Finalists: Amigoni Urban Winery, Aubrey Vineyards, Fountain City Winery, HEADQUARTERS Craft Winery, KC Wineworks

BEST LOCALLY MADE KOMBUCHA

WINN er : TH e bre WK erY

Finalists: Artisan Kombucha, TeaBiotics Kombucha

BEST LOCALLY OWNED KANSAS BREWERY

WINN er : Free STATe

bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: Limitless Brewing, Pathlight Brewing, Rockcreek Brewing Company, Servaes Brewing Company

BEST LOCALLY OWNED MISSOURI BREWERY

WINN er : CIND er b LoCK bre W erY

Finalists: Alma Mader Brewing, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Diametric Brewing Company, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST MANHATTAN

WINN er : SWorDFISH Tom ’S

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Farina, Harry’s Country Club, The Hey! Hey! Club, West Bottoms Whiskey Co.

BEST MARGARITA

WINN er : P oNAK’S

Finalists: Drunken Worm, El Patron, Mean Mule Distilling Co., Tiki Huna

BEST MARTINI

WINN er : CAFe TrI o

Finalists: Bistro 303, The Campground, Cliff’s Taphouse, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Farina

BEST MILKSHAKE

WINN er : WINSTe AD’S

STe AK bU rG erS

Finalists: Andy’s Frozen Custard, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, Mother Clucker, Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House, Shake Shack

BEST MOJITO

WINN er : CAFe TrI o

Finalists: Cliff’s Taphouse, Double Tap KC, El Patron, misc., The Pressed Penny Tavern

Best Negroni: The Campground Courtesy The Campground

BEST NEGRONI

WINN er : TH e CA m PG roUND

Finalists: Il Lazzarone, Lazia, Libations and Company, miniBar

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

WINN er : TH e HI-DI ve LoUNG e

Finalists: Bricks Pub & Grub, Chicago’s, Cliff’s Taphouse, Oak & Steel, The Piano Room, Social, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST NEW BAR

WINN er : FoUNTAIN HAUS

Finalists: Chartreuse Saloon, King G, misc., Nighthawk, Pink Elephant, Tin Roof, Vignettes

BEST NEW BREWERY

WINN er : rI ver b LUFF bre WING

Finalists: Outlaw Cigar & Brewery, Tall Trellis Brew Co.

BEST OLD FASHIONED

WINN er : JULe P

Finalists: Afterword Tavern & Shelves, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Cliff’s Taphouse, Extra Virgin, The Pressed Penny Tavern, Smoke Brewing Company

BEST PATIO

WINN er : CHA r bA r

Finalists: Brick House, Chicken N Pickle, Iron District, John’s Big Deck, Oak & Steel, Rockcreek Brewing Co., Transparent Brewing Company

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATORY TOAST

WINN er : ÇA vA

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, The Hey! Hey! Club, John’s Big Deck, Oak & Steel

BEST PLACE TO DRINK WITH YOUR DOG

WINN er : bA r K

Finalists: Casual Animal Brewing Co., Chicken N Pickle, Iron District, Rockcreek Brewing Company, Transparent Brewing Company

BEST POP-UP BAR

WINN er : CoNDUCTor CLUb Finalists: Apparition, Condor’s Cove, Tiki Shack at Chicken N Pickle, Vignettes

BEST ROOFTOP BAR

WINN er : PerCH ero N Finalists: Canary, Chicken N Pickle, Fountain Haus, John’s Big Deck, The Well

BEST SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT

WINN er : UP-DoWN KC

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Extra Virgin, La Bodega, Nighthawk, Waldo Thai

BEST SPEAKEASY

WINN er : G ree N LADY LoUNG e

Finalists: The Hey! Hey! Club, Nighthawk, Swordfish Tom’s, The W

BEST SPORTS BAR

WINN er : JoHNNY’S TAverN

Finalists: Chicken N Pickle, Gaels Public House & Sports, John’s Big Deck, Maloney’s Sports Bar & Grill, Oak & Steel, Social, Taps on Main

BEST TEA SHOP/PLACE TO BUY TEA

WINN er : D r AGoNFLY Te A Zo N e Finalists: Emilie’s French Teas, Fat Bee Drinks, Phoenix Herb Company, Shang Tea, Tea Market

BEST UPSCALE BAR

WINN er : TH e moNA rCH bA r Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Julep, The Mercury Room, Prime Social, Tom’s Town Distilling Co.

BEST WHISKEY SELECTION

WINN er : JULe P

Finalists: Brady & Fox, Harry’s Country Club, Oak & Steel, The Pairing: Crossroads Wine & Grocer, Plaza Liquor

BEST WINE EVENT

WINN er : KC WIN e Co.’S KC

WIN e WALK

Finalists: Independence Uncorked Wine Festival, Let’s Wine About Winter, The Nelson-Atkins ShuttleCork, Pierpont’s at Union Station Wine Tastings, Rose Festival - Lidia’s

BEST WINE SELECTION

WINN er : CooPer ’S HAWK

WIN erY & reSTAUr ANTS

Finalists: The Antler Room, Cellar Rat Wine Merchants, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Farina, The Pairing: Crossroads Wine & Grocery, Plaza Liquor, Sail Away Wine

BEST 24-HOUR RESTAURANT

WINN er : ToWN ToPIC

Finalists: Hayes Hamburger & Chili, Pancho’s Mexican Food, Winstead’s Steakburgers

BEST APPETIZERS

WINN er : e XTr A v I rGIN

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, The Chive: Simply Good Cafe & Market, Cliff’s Taphouse, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Taps on Main, Wally’s Grill & Drafthouse

BEST BAGELS

WINN er : meSHUGGAH bAG e LS

Finalists: Blackhole Bakery, Einstein Bros., Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

BEST BAKERY (BREAD)

WINN er : m CLAIN’S bAK erY

Finalists: Blackhole Bakery, Bloom Baking Company, Heirloom Bakery & Hearth, Ibis Bakery, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

BEST BAKERY (GLUTEN FREE)

WINN er : b ILLI e ’S G roCerY

Finalists: Frannie Franks Coffee Cakes, Kat’s Kakery, The Laughing Place Bakery, The Littlest Bake Shop, Morgana’s Gluten Free Bakery, Mud Pie Bakery & Coffee, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

BEST BAKERY (SWEETS)

WINN er : m CLAIN’S bAK erY

Finalists: Blackhole Bakery, Frannie Franks Coffee Cakes, Scola’s Italian Cookies, The Sugar Shop LLC, Sugar Whipped Bakery, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

Best Food Pop-Up (Non-BBQ): Devoured

BEST BAR FOOD

WINN er : TH e Pe ANUT

Finalists: Bricks Pub & Grub, Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Charlie Hooper’s, John’s Big Deck, Lucky Boys, Nighthawk, Taps on Main

BEST BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANT

WINN er : NI eCI e ’S STAUr ANT

Finalists: Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Mattie’s Foods, Mesob, Soiree, Urban Cafe

BEST BOWL OF SOUP

WINN er : PH o LAN

Finalists: Affäre, Best Regards Bakery & Cafe, Cliff’s Taphouse, Lula Southern Cookhouse, Novel, Stroud’s, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

BEST BREAKFAST

WINN er : TH e b IG b ISCUIT Finalists: Denver Biscuit Company, Eggtc, First Watch, Happy Gillis, ProteinHouse, Snooze: an A.M. Eatery, Succotash

BEST BRUNCH

WINN er : TH e FA rm H oUSe Finalists: The Big Biscuit, Brick House, Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Chicken N Pickle, Denver Biscuit Company, First Watch, Gaels Public House & Sports

BEST BUFFET

WINN er : CINZeTTI’S ITALIAN m A rK eT

Finalists: Hamburger Mary’s, Legend of Asia, Mama Garden, THE Pizza Place

BEST BURGER

WINN er : W eSTP orT FLe A m A rK eT

Finalists: Chicken N Pickle, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Cosmo Burger, Fat Sully’s, ProteinHouse

BEST BURRITO

WINN er : m A rGA rITA’S

Finalists: Buck Tui BBQ, Champion Burritos To Go, Dos de Oros, Manny’s, Pancho’s Mexican Food, Wrap It Up Tex Mex Grill, Tiki Taco

BEST BUTCHER

WINN er : LoCAL PIG

Finalists: Bichelmeyer Meats, Broadway Butcher Shop, Fareway Meat Market, The Upper Cut KC

BEST CARIBBEAN FOOD

WINN er : meSob

Finalists: G’s Jamaican Quisine, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Island Spice

BEST CATERING

WINN er : br ANCATo ’S CATerING

Finalists: Char Bar, Culinary Creations, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, ProteinHouse, The Russell

BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD

WINN er : G r AZe & GATH er KC

Finalists: Affäre, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Momo and Poppy’s, The Pairing: Crossroads Wine & Grocer

BEST CHEAP EATS

WINN er : IN-A-TU b

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Guy’s Deli, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, John’s Big Deck, Mugs Up Drive In, Niecie’s Restaurant, Tiki Taco

BEST CHEF

WINN er : PA m LI berDA, WALDo THAI

Finalists: Aaron Wells-Morgan, Lazia; Benjamin Wood, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen; Hulon Crayton, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill; Johnny Leach, Hotel Kansas City; Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room; Michael Smith, Michael Smith Restaurant; Taylor Jones, Burn Theory Fire Kitchen

BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH

WINN er : CHICK e N N PICKLe

Finalists: Cliff’s Taphouse, Denver Biscuit Company, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Mother Clucker, Strip’s Chicken, Stroud’s, Taps on Main

BEST CHICKEN STRIPS/TENDERS

WINN er : r AISING CAN e ’S

CHICK e N FING erS

Finalists: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Strip’s Chicken, Stroud’s, Taps on Main, Wally’s Grill & Drafthouse

BEST CHICKEN WINGS

WINN er : TH e Pe ANUT

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Chicken N Pickle, Fat Sully’s, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, John’s Big Deck, Taps on Main, Wings Cafe

Photo by Liz Goodwin

BEST CHILI

WINN er : DIXoN’S FA moUS CHILI PA rLor

Finalists: Bricks Pub & Grub, Hayes Hamburger & Chili, Kind Food, miniBar, Woodyard Bar-B-Que

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

WINN er : bo LINGS

Finalists: ABC Cafe, Fortune Wok, Kin Lin, New Peking Chinese Restaurant, Princess Garden

BEST CHOCOLATE SHOP

WINN er : CH rISToPH er e LboW CH oCoLATeS

Finalists: Andre’s Chocolates & Confiserie Suisse, Annedore’s Fine Chocolates, Bizz & Weezy Confections, Bliss Chocolatier

BEST CINNAMON ROLLS

WINN er : CorN er CAFe

Finalists: Blackhole Bakery, Denver Biscuit Company, Neighborhood Cafe, Rye, Stroud’s

BEST CURBSIDE DELIVERY

WINN er : m INSKY’S

Finalists: Buck Tui BBQ, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Longboards, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop, Nick and Jake’s, Stroud’s

BEST DELI

WINN er : SCI meCA’S m A rK eT & D e LI

Finalists: Carollo’s Grocery & Deli, Dave’s Bakery & Deli, Guy’s Deli, The Italian Sausage Company, King G, Marco Polo’s Italian Market, Milwaukee Delicatessen Company

BEST DESSERT MENU

WINN er : rY e

Finalists: The Antler Room, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Farina, Novel Restaurant, The Town Company

BEST DONUTS

WINN er : LA m A r ’S DoNUTS & CoFFee

Finalists: Blackhole Bakery, Donut King, Duck Donuts, Fluffy Fresh Donuts, Mr. D’s Donut Shop, Ray’s Donuts

BEST DRUNK FOOD

WINN er : ToWN ToPIC

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Fat Sully’s, Guy’s Deli, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, John’s Big Deck, Lucky Boys

BEST ETHIOPIAN FOOD

WINN er : b LU e NILe CAFe

Finalists: Elsa’s Ethiopian Restaurant, Mesob, Selamta Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar

BEST FALAFEL

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: Aladdin Cafe, Baba’s Pantry, Extra Virgin, Falafel Express, Habashi House, Holy Land Cafe, Sahara Mediterranean Food

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT

WINN er : STroUD’S

Finalists: Baba’s Pantry, Chicken N Pickle, The Chive: Simply Good Cafe & Market, Denver Biscuit Company, Governor Stumpy’s Grill House, THE Pizza Place

BEST FOOD POPUP

WINN er : D evoU re D Finalists: Big Head Burger, Cauldron Collective, Sweet Tea Pie Company

BEST FOOD TRUCK

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: 451Pizza, Big Red Food Truck, Cheesy Street, Julita’s, Pura Vida KC

BEST FRENCH FRIES

WINN er : Joe ’S KANSAS CITY bA r - b -QU e

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Wally’s Grill & Drafthouse

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

WINN er : Le FoU Fro G

Finalists: Aixois, Café des Amis, Café Provence, Chez Elle Crêperie and Coffeehouse, Tailleur Restaurant, Westport Café

BEST FRIED CHICKEN

WINN er : STroUD’S

Finalists: The Brass Onion, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Rye

BEST GERMAN RESTAURANT

WINN er : G rÜNAU er Finalists: Affäre, Kansas City Bier Company

BEST GLUTEN-FREE RESTAURANT

WINN er : b ILLI e ’S G roCerY

Finalists: Café Gratitude, Cliff’s Taphouse, Cultivare Greens & Grains, ProteinHouse

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: The Mad Greek, Mr. Gyro’s Greek Food & Pastry, Paros Estiatorio, Tasso’s Greek Restaurant

BEST GYRO

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: Aladdin Cafe, Falafel Express, Holy Land Cafe, KC Gyro Guys, Max’s Burgers and Gyros, Mr. Gyro’s Greek Food & Pastry, Papu’s Cafe

BEST HALAL RESTAURANT

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: Baba’s Pantry, The Basha Cuisine, Falafel Express, Holy Land Cafe, Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill, Yasmeen Cafe

BEST HANGOVER CURE RESTAURANT

WINN er : ToWN ToPIC

Finalists: Beer Kitchen, Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Denver Biscuit Company, John’s Big Deck, Succotash, Taps on Main

BEST HAPPY HOUR (FOOD)

WINN er : LA boD eGA

Finalists: Affäre, Cafe Trio, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Fat Sully’s, Summit Grill

BEST HOT DOG (RESTAURANTS/ FOOD TRUCKS)

WINN er : WIe N er KITCH e N

Finalists: The Brick, Dead Beet Eats, KC Cattle Company, KC Hot Dog King & Catering, miniBar, Up Dog

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT

WINN er : TH e SAvoY AT 21C

Finalists: Chaz on the Plaza, Dott Boss, Lazia, Nine Zero One at The Fontaine, The Town Company

BEST ICE CREAM

WINN er : beTTY r A e ’S

Finalists: Andy’s Frozen Custard, Frozen Gold, High Hopes, Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House, Sweet Cups Rolled Ice Cream and Espresso Bar, Sweet EMOtion KC, Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

WINN er : TAJ m AHAL

AUTH e NTIC CUISIN e oF INDIA

Finalists: Korma Sutra, Ruchi Indian Cuisine, Seva Cuisine of India, Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine, Taj Palace

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

WINN er : GA roZZo ’S

Finalists: Bella Napoli, Cascone’s, Jasper’s, Lidia’s, Ragazza, Viona’s Italian Bistro

BEST ITALIAN SAUSAGE WINN er : SCI meCA’S ITALIAN SAUSAG e Com PANY

Finalists: Carollo’s Grocery & Deli, The Italian Sausage Company, Marco Polo’s Italian Market, Viona’s Italian Bistro

BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

WINN er : FrITZ’S r AILroAD reSTAUr ANT Finalists: Chicken N Pickle, The Chive: Simply Good Cafe & Market, Denver Biscuit Company, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

BEST KOREAN

WINN er : Kob I-Q Finalists: Choga Korean Restaurant, Chosun Korean BBQ, Smoke ‘n’ Seoul, Sura Eats

BEST LATE NIGHT EATS

WINN er : ToWN ToPIC

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Harry’s Bar and Tables, Hayes Hamburger & Chili, Lucky Boys, Nighthawk, Westport Café

BEST LOCAL SNACK

WINN er : TH ree be A rS bAK erY & bbQ Finalists: A&G Granola in the Raw, KC Mobile Munchies, PJ Snacks, Sweet Cups Rolled Ice Cream and Espresso Bar

BEST LOCALLY MADE SWEETS

WINN er : m CLAIN’S bAK erY Finalists: Andre’s Chocolates & Confiserie Suisse, Bizz & Weezy Confections, Blackhole Bakery, Christopher Elbow Chocolates, Scola’s Italian Cookies, Sugar Whipped Bakery, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ

BEST LUNCH

WINN er : THIrD STreeT SoCIAL

Finalists: Chicken N Pickle, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Cliff’s Taphouse, Falafel Express, Kind Food, ProteinHouse, The Russell

BEST MEAL KIT/PREPARED FOODS

WINN er : evoLve JUICerY AND KITCH e N

Finalists: Beloved: On The Go, canihaveabite, KITCH Meals, ProteinHouse, Whole Harvest

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

WINN er : JerUSALem CAFe

Finalists: Aladdin Cafe, Baba’s Pantry, Falafel Express, Habashi House, Sahara Mediterranean Food

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT WINN er : P oNAK’S

Finalists: Brookside Barrio, Dos de Oros, El Patron, Ixtapa, Manny’s, Margarita’s, Rudy’s

BEST NACHOS

WINN er : TH e Pe ANUT

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Drunken Worm, Kind Food, Taco Tank

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

WINN er : LULA SoUTH erN CooKH oUSe

Finalists: Brady & Fox, Chewology, Earl’s Premier, Gaels Public House & Sports, King G, Ocean Prime, Tailleur Restaurant

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

WINN er : TreZo m A re

Finalists: Brown & Loe, Char Bar, Chicken N Pickle, La Bodega, Mickey’s Hideaway, The Restaurant at 1900, The Well

Best Thai, Best Chef: Pam Liberda - Waldo Thai Photo by Zach Bauman

BEST PHO

WINN er : v I eTNA m CAFe

Finalists: Cafe Vie, iPho Tower, Nguyen Pho & Grill, Pho Lan

BEST PIE

WINN er : CorN er CAFe

Finalists: Ashleigh’s Bake Shop, Easy as Pie, Rye, Sweet Tea Pie Company, The Upper Crust

BEST PIZZA (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS)

WINN er : m INSKY’S PIZZA

Finalists: Buffalo State Pizza Co., Old Shawnee Pizza, Pizza Shoppe, Pizza Shuttle, Providence Pizza, SPIN! Pizza

BEST PIZZA (SINGLE LOCATION)

WINN er : WALDo PIZZA

Finalists: Artego Pizza, Fat Sully’s, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Guy’s Deli, Il Lazzarone, Long-Bell Pizza Co., THE Pizza Place

BEST PLACE TO EAT AT THE BAR

WINN er : NICK AND JAK e ’S

Finalists: Atomic Cowboy, Char Bar, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, John’s Big Deck

BEST PLACE TO TAKE YOUR TOP CLIENT

WINN er : TH e CAPITAL G rILLe

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Farina, Pierpont’s at Union Station, The Restaurant at 1900, The Town Company, Viona’s Italian Bistro

BEST PORK TENDERLOIN

WINN er : KITTY’S CAFe

Finalists: Christine’s Firehouse, Christy’s Tasty Queen, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Strip’s Chicken

BEST QUESO

WINN er : m A rGA rITA’S

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire Kitchen, Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, Salty Iguana, Torchy’s Tacos

BEST RAMEN

WINN er : borU ASIAN e ATerY

Finalists: Aoyama Ramen, Chewology, Mama Ramen, Sayachi Sushi

BEST RESTAURANT

WINN er : Corv IN o SUPPer CLUb & TASTING room

Finalists: The Antler Room, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Farina, Fox and Pearl, Lazia, Novel Restaurant, The Town Company

BEST RESTAURANT (LAWRENCE) WINN er : Free STATe bre WING Com PANY

Finalists: 715 Restaurant, The Burger Stand at The Casbah, Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar, Merchants Pub & Plate, Zen Zero

BEST RESTAURANT SERVER

WINN er : em ANU e L AT PI erP oNT’S AT UNIoN STATIoN

Finalists: Ali at Farina, Jennifer at Stock Hill, Kris at Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Shannon at Atomic Cowboy, Shannon at Viona’s Italian Bistro

BEST REUBEN WINN er : SU mm IT G rILL

Finalists: Billie’s Grocery, Breit’s Stein & Deli, Bricks Pub & Grub, Kind Food, King G, Taps on Main

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

WINN er : Le FoU Fro G

Finalists: Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Farina, Pierpont’s at Union Station, The Town Company

BEST SALAD

WINN er : TH e m IXX

Finalists: canihaveabite, Char Bar, Kind Food, ProteinHouse, The Russell

BEST SANDWICHES (NON-BBQ)

WINN er : bAY boY SPeCIALTY SANDWICH eS

Finalists: Beer Kitchen, Bella Napoli, Goodcents, Guy’s Deli, The Italian Sausage Company, King G, Taps on Main

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

WINN er : brISToL Se AFooD G rILL

Finalists: Earl’s Premier, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Jarocho, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Pearl Tavern

BEST SERVING STAFF

WINN

SUPPer

TASTING room

Finalists: The Antler Room, Bricks Pub & Grub, City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen, Farina, Lazia, Wally’s Grill & Drafthouse

BEST SMOOTHIE/JUICE BAR

WINN er

KITCH

Je AN’S

JUICerY

Finalists: Enjoy

Evolve Juicery

Kitchen, Nekter Juice Bar, NKC Nutrition, ProteinHouse, Three Bears Bakery & BBQ, Tropical Smoothie

BEST SOUL FOOD

reSTAU

Finalists: King’s

Lula

Cookhouse, Mesob, Peachtree, Soiree Steak & Oyster House

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Finalists: The Capital Grille, Golden Ox, Hereford House, Jess and Jim’s Steak House, The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club, Pierpont’s at Union Station, Stock

BEST SUSHI

rILL

Finalists: Jun’s

SUSHI SAKI

Kabuki

Mr. Le’s Sushi, Prime Sushi, Sushi Mido, Sushi

BEST TACOS

WINN

Finalists: Burn Theory Fire

In-A-Tub, Margarita’s, Tiki Taco, Taco Naco, Taco

by Zach

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

WINN er : S. PAIG e SAND er CPA

Finalists: All American Tax, AM CPA, FORVIS, Guardian Accounting Services, RDT Support

BEST ACUPUNCTURE

WINN er : KANSAS CITY

CHI roPr ACTIC

Finalists: Elements Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Magnolia Wellness, Sacred Chiropractic + Acupuncture, Simple Empathy, Taochemy

BEST AD/MARKETING AGENCY

WINN er : N o -WH ere

CoNSULTANTS

Finalists: iFocus Marketing, KES Studio, Killer Kite Productions, Social - Managed, Web Force KC

BEST ADULT CLUB

WINN er : TH e SHADY LADY

LoUNG e

Finalists: The Outhouse, Temptations, Whispers

BEST AESTHETICIAN

WINN er : A mber SY er

JACKSoN - TH e FACIAL bA r

Finalists: Ashley Jagow - Wanderlust Esthetics, The Beauty Room by Anna, Carmen Morales - Luna Med Spa, Chelsay Russell - Bare Med Spa, Kristin Watkins - Redeeming Radiance Skin Studio, Lashed by Alex, Sara Kelly - Covet Skin Studio

BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY

WINN er : UNI oN HILL oN m AIN

Finalists: Copper Ridge Apartments, Elevate 114 Apartments, The Residences at Galleria, The Villas at Waterside, Westley on Broadway

BEST AUCTION HOUSE

WINN er : KC AUCTI oN Com PANY

Finalists: Andrew Turner Auctions, M&M Auction House

BEST AUTO SERVICE/REPAIR

WINN er : KC AUToWor X

Finalists: Burnett Automotive, Cheshire Automotive, Otto Service of Kansas City, R&L Automotive, Value Auto Clinic

BEST BANK (COMMERCIAL)

WINN er : CommUNITY

A merICA Cre DIT UNI oN

Finalists: Central Bank of the Midwest, Commerce Bank, Enterprise Bank & Trust, UMB Bank

BEST BANK (CONSUMER)

WINN er : CommUNITY

A merICA Cre DIT UNI oN Finalists: Country Club Bank, Commerce Bank, Enterprise Bank & Trust, UMB Bank

BEST BARBER

WINN er : JerrIN HAW eS - HI m . H er .TH em HAI r STUDI o Finalists: angelOhs’, Danny Brooks - Grain Valley Chop Shop, Justin Lemos - MidWest Barbery, Lavyne McGinnis - The Barberette

BEST BARBERSHOP

WINN er : HI m .H er .TH em HAI r STUDIo Finalists: angelOhs’, The Barberette, Chop Tops, Grain Valley Chop Shop, MidWest Barbery

BEST BED & BREAKFAST

WINNer: INN oN CreSCeNT LAKe

Finalists: Albonee Country Inn & Vineyards, Hawthorn: A Bed & Breakfast, Inn at 425, Main Street Inn, Silver Heart Inn and Cottages

BEST BLOW OUT

WINN er : P oSH KC

Finalists: AF Salon, Ashley Edmonsond - Bangs Hair Salon, Chelsea Edwards - The Hair KCMO Aesthetics Collective, him.her.them Hair Studio, Primp and Blow

BEST BODY PIERCING

WINN er : SUPerNATU r AL boDY PI erCING

Finalists: Freaks on Broadway, Landlocked Tattoo & Piercing, Radiance Piercing

BEST BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER

WINN er : GooD boDI eS

Finalists: Brave Boss Babe Boudoir [LGEmerick Photography], Boudoir by K. Eden, Copper Key Studios, Illuminated Palette Photography, Kaiserin Photography, WMNKND Boudoir

BEST BROWS

WINN er : broWS bY DALIA

Finalists: Carmen Morales at Luna Med Spa, The Facial Bar, Lashed by Alex, Stacy Boyer at Beauty House, Wanderlust Esthetics, The Wax Co., Wax & Honey

Best Boudoir Photographer: Good Bodies Photo by Good Bodies

BEST CAR WASH

WINN er : Go CA r WASH

Finalists: The Better Wash, Charlie’s Car Wash, Kevin’s Car Wash, Tidal Wave

BEST CHILD CARE CENTER

WINN er : r AIN boW SCH ooL

Finalists: Children’s Treehouse Learning Center, Country Club Methodist Child Development Center, The Goddard School, Grow in Peace

BEST CLEANING SERVICE

WINN er : TH e m AIDS

Finalists: Clean Heart Maids, MC Janitorial, Triton Home Solutions

BEST COMPUTER/IT SERVICES

WINN er : m ICro Ce NTer

Finalists: Computer Pros, Firefly MSP, Hyper Computer and Battle Games, Integral

BEST CONTRACTOR

WINN er : N e XTG e N

remoD e LING

Finalists: Astoria Design Build, Brasstacks, Catalyst Painting, Wineteer Construction

BEST COWORKING SPACE

WINN er : PLe XP oD

Finalists: G.I.F.T., Industrious Country Club Plaza, Spark KC

BEST CREDIT UNION

WINN er : CommUNITY

A merICA Cre DIT UNI oN

Finalists: Mainstreet Credit Union, Mazuma Credit Union, RaytownLee’s Summit Community Credit Union

BEST CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS

WINN er : roCKToPS G r ANITe & SToN e FA brICATI oN

Finalists: Canaan Stone Works, Carthage Stoneworks, Central Surfaces, Concrete Designs, Granite Impressions, Kenny’s Tile, SCI

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

WINN er : beSA me W e LLN eSS

Finalists: Aegis Fire Protection, The Facial Bar, Full Nelson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, iFocus Marketing

BEST DOG TRAINING

WINN er : TH e Do G’S SP oT

Finalists: Beyond the Dog, The Collar Club, D.O.G. Dog Obedience Group, K.I.S.S. Dog Training

BEST ELECTRICIAN

WINN er : SPA rKY STeve ’S LeCTrIC LLC Finalists: All Current Electric, C&S Electric, Electrical Associates, Master Electric, Power KC, Ric Ginn Electric

BEST EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

WINN er : STAFFING KANSAS CITY Finalists: Chief of Staff Kansas City, Focus Workforce Management, Manpower Staffing, Next Move Inc.

BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING

WINN er : Cre ATI ve PLANNING Finalists: Bryan Farwell - Prevail Innovative Wealth Strategies, Buttonwood Financial Group, Kristie Svejda - RBC Wealth Management Financial Advisor, Ryan Bly - Emprise Bank

BEST GARAGE DOOR COMPANY

WINN er : overH e AD Door

Com PANY oF KANSAS CITY Finalists: Renner Garage Door, Royal Door, State Line Door & Lift, Sunshine Home Improvement

BEST GROUP THERAPY

WINN er : GILDA’S CLU b KANSAS CITY Finalists: The Counseling Collaborative, Great Oaks Therapy Center, Healing Towards Wellness, Monkey Brain Art, Opal KC

BEST GUTTER CLEANING

WINN er : TrIToN WINDoW CLe ANING

Finalists: Gateway Home Services, Gutter Flushers, Latka Gutter Cleaning

BEST HAIR COLORIST

WINN er : CASSAND r A ree D er - TH e GLA m room SALoN Finalists: Ashley Edmonsond - Bangs Hair Salon, Ashley Falzone - AF Salon, Chelsea Edwards - The Hair KCMO Aesthetics Collective, Kelsey Bieber - KS Studio, Megan Grover - HAIR by Miss Meg, Talia Yael Bruggen - Refinery Room

BEST HAIR REMOVAL

WINN er : TH e WAX Co.

Finalists: BeYOUtify, TaJae’ Carter - Serenity Esthetics, Stark Skin, Wanderlust Esthetics

BEST HAIR SALON

WINN er : TH e GLA m room Finalists: The Gypsy Parlor, The Hair KCMO Aesthetics Collective, The Hair Room, Helm Salon, him.her. them Hair Studio, Session: a Hollie Haskins Salon

BEST HAIR STYLIST

WINN er : bree mUTSCHLerHI m .H er .TH em HAI r STUDI o Finalists: Chelsea Edwards - The Hair KCMO Aesthetics Collective, Hollie Haskins - Session, Josie StambaughThe Gypsy Parlor, Kelsey Bieber - KS Studio, Melissa Butcher - The Hair Room

BEST HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY

WINN er : ANTH oNY PLU mb ING, H e ATING, CooLING & e LeCTrIC

Finalists: Blue Heating and Cooling, Cates Heating & Cooling, Full Nelson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Heartland Quality Heating & Cooling, Hotter Than Hell Heating & Cooling, Pronto Air Heating and Cooling

BEST HENNA ARTIST

WINN er : H e NNA HANDS bY NIDA Finalists: Henna by Hernandez, Henna by Jayna, Swirls and Twirls Body Art

BEST HOTEL

WINN er : CroSSroADS H oTe L

Finalists: The Elms Hotel & Spa, Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Loews Kansas City Hotel, The Raphael Hotel - Autograph Collection, Southmoreland on the Plaza

BEST HYDROPONICS/GROW SHOP

WINN er : rI ver m A rK eT HYD ro

Finalists: Farrand Farms, Quality Grow, Year-Round Garden

BEST INJECTOR WINN er : H oLLY P oST - H oLLYDAY me D SPA + A eSTH eTICS

Finalists: Ashley Williams - Monarch Plastic Surgery, Emma PierceAssociated Plastic Surgeons, Kirsten McClintock - Monarch Plastic Surgery, Shonn Tew - Bare Med Spa, ReSchuvenate

BEST INSURANCE AGENCY

WINN er : LA rrY LANGForDSTATe FA rm

Finalists: Brush Creek Partners, Capitol Agency Insurance, Jenna Wingate - Farmers Insurance, Nicole Feltz - American Family Insurance

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER

WINN er : SU rFACe To

SU rFACe INTerI or D eSIGN & CoNSTrUCTIoN

Finalists: Buck Wimberly - ULAH

Interiors + Design, Hill Homes KC, Howard Fischer Design, Will Brown Interiors

BEST KITCHEN & BATH REMODELER

WINN er : N e XTG e N

remoD e LING

Finalists: Bath Fitter, Kitchen TuneUp Kansas City Leawood, Remodel Moore, Wineteer Construction

BEST LANDSCAPER

WINN er : rYAN LAWN & Tree

Finalists: Hermes Landscaping, Stripe Kings Lawn & Landscape, Treece’s Tree Trimming, Triton Lawn

BEST LASHES

WINN er : TH e GLA m room

SALoN SPA + be AUTY bA r

Finalists: Amazing Lash Studio, Deka Lash, The Facial Bar, The Lash Lounge, Lash Magic, Lashed by Alex, Lux & Rye

BEST LAUNDROMAT

WINN er : m IDToWN LAUND rY

Finalists: Eastside Laundry, The Laundry Craft, Leah’s Laundromat on the Q, Quinn’s Laundry, Young Laundromat and Cleaners

BEST LAW FIRM/LAWYER

WINN er : TH e ACCU rSo LAW FI rm

Finalists: Aimee Gromowsky, Brandan Davies, Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott, Shawn Stogsdill

BEST LIBRARY BRANCH: KS

WINN er : KANSAS CITY, KANSAS PU b LIC LIbr A rY m AIN LI br A rY

Finalists: Corinth Library, Johnson County Library - Central Resource Library, Lenexa City Center Library, Louisburg Library, Olathe Indian Creek Library

BEST LIBRARY BRANCH: MO

WINN er : KANSAS CITY PUb LIC LI br A rY - PLAZA br ANCH

Finalists: Kansas City Public Library - Central Library, Kansas City

Public Library - Waldo Branch, MidContinent Public Library - Raytown Branch, Mid-Continent Public Library - Woodneath Library Center

BEST LOAN OFFICER WINN er : brITTANI KINGLe AD eroN e FINANCIAL Finalists: Adriana Bates - Clear Mortgage, Mark Groves - Alpha Mortgage, Sandy BradshawCommerce Bank, Tyler BlevinsAmerican Financial Network

BEST LOCAL FARM WINN er : SHATTo m ILK Com PANY

Finalists: Green Dirt Farm, KC Farm School at Gibbs Road, Messner Bee Farm, Pendleton’s Country Market, Urbavore Urban Farm, Young Family Farm

BEST LOCAL MOVING COMPANY WINN er : YoU move me

Finalists: The Dudes Moving Co., Let’s Get Moving, Moovers of KC North, Out & In Moving

BEST LUXURY PICNIC WINN er : P oP UP PICNICS KC Finalists: Bellafete, Wonder and Whimsy Events

BEST MAKEUP ARTIST WINN er : meG m A rSH - HIm . H er .TH em HAI r STUDI o Finalists: Cosmic Creations, Graceful Beauty KC, Hannah Zuercher - Soft Glow Studio, Juliana Zolotor MUA, Kelsey Shannon - Mind and Muse, Lucrezia Mapelli Makeup Artist, Posh KC

BEST MARTIAL ARTS WINN er : GLorY mm A & FITN eSS

Finalists: Baer Swords School of Western Martial Arts, Grupo Axe Capoeira Kansas City, POW! Martial Arts

BEST MOBILE SPRAY TAN WINN er : TANTA r A mob ILe AI rbrUSH TAN

Finalists: Airbrushed by Rada, Beach Babe Spray Tanning, Tans by Stephanie, True Spray Tans

BEST MORTGAGE/ HOME LOAN PROVIDER WINN er : CommUNITY A merICA Cre DIT UNI oN Finalists: Flat Branch Home Loans, LeaderOne Financial, Lyn’N’Em, Tanner Garver - Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

BEST MOTORCYCLE OR OFF-ROAD VEHICLE DEALER

WINN er : WorTH HA rLe YDAv IDSoN Finalists: Dell’s Powersports, Gail’s Powersports, Letko Cycles

BEST MUSIC LABEL

WINN er : STr ANG e mUSIC

Finalists: Center Cut Records, Lotuspool Records, Manor Records, The Record Machine

BEST MUSIC STUDIO

WINN er : e Leme NT reCorDING STUDIoS

Finalists: 825 Studios, Avenue Record Company, B-24 Studios, Weight and Measures Soundlab

BEST NAIL SALON

WINN er : NAIL SoCI eTY

Finalists: Bella Nails, BKS Nails, Color You Bad, Gloss Spa, Nail Noir

BEST NATUROPATH

WINN er : INSPI re H e ALTH bY Je N

Finalists: Dr. Dianne Diehn, Dr. Emily Guse, Ivory Isis Herbals, Kilo Sade - Kilo Cares, Dr. Michael Brown - Naturae’s Path, Norcross Health Center

BEST OIL CHANGE

WINN er : vALvoLIN e INSTANT o IL CHANG e

Finalists: AAMCO Overland Park, House of Lube, Kwik Kar Automotive, Otto Service of Kansas City, Walton’s 9 Minute Oil Change

BEST PARTY BUS/LIMO SERVICE

WINN er : KC NIGHT Tr AIN

Finalists: Agenda - USA, Barley Bus Tours, RG Limo Services, Showtime Transportation

BEST PEST CONTROL

WINN er : b LU e beeTLe PeST CoNTroL

Finalists: Augustine Exterminators, Gunter Pest & Lawn, KC Pest Experts, Pro Pest Exterminators

BEST PET BOARDING/DAYCARE

WINN er : KATI e ’S K e NN e L

Finalists: Camp Bow Wow, The Collar Club, Dogtopia, Happy Dog Ranch & Resort, Kate’s Canine Resort, Latchkey Pets, Summit Pet Care

BEST PET GROOMER

WINN er : brooKSID e bA rK erY & bATH

Finalists: Camp Bow Wow, The Collar Club, The Flying Hair, Peace Paws Grooming Salon

Finalists: Fresh Factory KC, Glam Cam KC, Mirror Me KC, Picture Connect Multimedia

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (BUSINESS)

WINN er : NICoLe b ISSe Y PH oTo G r APHY

Finalists: Drone State of Mind Photography, Her Perspective Photography, Kenzie Beth Photography, LGEmerick Photography, Pilsen Photo Co-op, Wild Fyre Co.

BEST PLACE TO ADOPT A PET

WINN er : KC PeT ProJeCT

Finalists: Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary, Furry Kids Refuge, Unleashed Pet Rescue, Wayside Waifs

BEST PLACE TO BUY A PLANT

WINNer: FAmILY Tree NUrSerY

Finalists: Heartland Nursery and Garden Center, Larry’s Nursery, Roots KC Plant Shop, Soil Service Garden Center, Verdant, Virgil’s Plant Shop, West Bottoms Plant Co.

BEST PLUMBING

WINN er : ANTH oNY

PLU mb ING, H e ATING, CooLING & e LeCTrIC

Finalists: A-1 Sewer & Septic, Andy’s Pipe Dream, Connelly Plumbing Solutions, Full Nelson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Mac Wilson Plumbing, Regal Plumbing

BEST PRESCHOOL

WINN er : r AIN boW SCH ooL

Finalists: Children’s Treehouse Learning Center, Little Lambs Preschool, Primrose Schools, St. Peter’s Early Childhood Learning Center

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY

WINN er : b LoCK mULTIFA m ILY G roUP Finalists: CBRE, Clemons Real Estate, Lincoln Property Company

BEST PSYCHIC READINGS

WINN er : N oe LLe N o I r Finalists: Kilo Cares, Readings by Catiara, Spirit Speaker KC, Veil and Vow Tarot

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

WINN er : JeSSICA KU r ZW e LL Finalists: Brie Simmons, Kelli Becks, Majid & Melody Ghavami, Stephanie Bulcock, Taryn Kelly

BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

WINN er : K e LLer WILLIA mS K e Y PA rTN erS

Finalists: The Collective at Compass Realty Group, Kansas City Realty, Realty ONE Group Encompass, ReeceNichols

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY (BOUTIQUE)

WINN er : KANSAS CITY re ALTY Serv ICeS

Finalists: Boveri Realty Group, The Collective at Compass Realty Group, KC Skyline Realty, Summit Way Realty

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY (COMMERCIAL)

WINN er : reeCe NICH oLS

Finalists: Block & Company, Inc., Boveri Realty Group, Kansas City Realty Services, Realty ONE Group Encompass

BEST RESUME WRITING/CAREER SERVICES

WINN er : SA r AH UCHYTILSA r AH U CoACH

Finalists: The Essential Pencil, The Writique

BEST ROOFER/ROOFING COMPANY

WINN er : CH rISTIAN broTH erS rooFING

Finalists: Buck Roofing & Construction, Easton Roofing, Iconic Roofing, Prairie Shield Roofing, Triad Inc.

BEST SCREEN PRINTING

WINN er : oDDITI eS PrINTS

Finalists: GOEX Apparel, Good Neighbor Shirt Co., Normal Human, Seen Merch, Union Press Screen Printing

BEST SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY WINN er : CA rN eGI e v ILLAG e Se NIor LI v ING CommUNITY

Finalists: Anthology of Olathe, Holiday Garden Village, Homestead of Lenexa, Novel Place Senior Living

BEST SOLAR PROVIDER WINN er : TH e SoLA r GUYS

Finalists: Astrawatt Solar, Hello GreenTech, LifeTime Solar, Royal Roofing & Solar, Solar Planet Inc.

BEST TAILOR/ALTERATIONS

WINN er : DAN DAN TH e TAILor m AN

Finalists: Elizabeth’s Alterations, Houndstooth, Larissa’s Plaza Tailor Shop, Lucia’s Sarto

BEST TANNING SALON WINN er : SUN TAN CITY FInalists: Coconut Beach Tan, District Tan, Recreating Rays

BEST TATTOO ARTIST

WINN er : JeSSI e H oPe LeSS

Finalists: Adam Loomis, Amber Burkey, Blake Van Vleck, Heidi Hood, Lindsay Cadillac, Stacey Boyer, Thomas Hendrix

BEST TATTOO STUDIO

WINN er : b LACK ATLAS TATToo

Finalists: Dear You Tattoo, Exile Tattoo, Light Sleeper Tattoo Co., Mercy Seat Tattoo, Midtown Tattoo, Old Souls Tattoo Parlour, Timewalker Tattoo

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

WINN er : D eSTINATI oN FUN

Tr Ave L

Finalists: Acendas Travel, Design Your Vacation by Marci, Magical Moments Vacations with Lara Ashbaugh, Sarah DarvilleTravelmation

BEST VETERINARIAN

WINN er : e AGLe ANIm AL H oSPITAL

Finalists: Animal Medical Center, Brisbane Veterinary Services, Independence Animal Hospital, Mission Animal Clinic, Rockhill Pet Clinic, Southside Pet Hospital, Union Hill Animal Hospital

BEST VIDEOGRAPHER/FILMMAKER (BUSINESS)

WINN er : CIN em ATIC v ISIoNS

Finalists: IX Film Productions, Marigold Weddings

BEST WINDOW CLEANING

WINN er : FISH WINDoW

CLe ANING

Finalists: Luke The Window Cleaner, Squeaky Clean Windows, Triton Window Cleaning

Best Place to Adopt a Pet, Best Place to Work (Over 50 Employees): KC Pet Project Photo by Zach Bauman

WINN

:

roUND FITN eSS

Finalists: Kri Chay’s Urban HIIT FITT, RNE Boxing Club, TITLE Boxing Club

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

WINN er : F.I.T. mUSCLe & Jo INT CLINIC Finalists: Dr. Bethany Long - Thrive KC, Finan Chiropractic, Huffman Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Kansas City Chiropractic

BEST

SURGEON

WINN er : D r . PAUL Le AHYmoNA rCH PLASTIC SU rG erY

Finalists: Dr. John Michael Quinn - Quinn Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jon Rast - Associated Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Mark McLung - Associated Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Sheryl YoungAssociated Plastic Surgeons

BEST CROSSFIT

WINN er : PerForm ANCe e DG e CroSSFIT

Finalists: CrossFit Cerberus, Meshugge CrossFit at the J

BEST DAY SPA

WINN er : ASSoCIATe D PLASTIC SU rG eo NS me D SPA

Finalists: AesthetiCare Medspa, The Facial

BEST

BEST

BEST

Bootcamp,

Freight

Fitnes

Photo by Zach Bauman

WINN er : br ANDoN Sm ITH Finalists: Bryan Morris, Josh Pfeifer, Kri Chay, Missy Witt-Roland

BEST PHARMACY WINN er : N orTH KANSAS

CITY H oSPITAL oUTPATI e NT PHA rm ACY Finalists: Crosetti’s Pharmacy, CVS (Brookside), Hen House Market Pharmacy (Olathe), Hy-Vee Pharmacy (Noland Road), Phillips Family Pharmacy, Stark Pharmacy, The University of Kansas Hospital Retail Pharmacy

BEST PHYSICAL REHAB CENTER WINN er : F.I.T. mUSCLe & Jo INT CLINIC

Finalists: Athletico Physical Therapy, Empower Your Pelvis, Marquette Physical Therapy, Performance Rehab

WINN er : D r . m A rK DAGG eTT Finalists: Dr. Braden Dunbar, Dr. Gay Purcell, Dr. Keenan Berghoff, Dr. Michael Fomby

BEST PILATES: WINN er : STUDI o 7 PILATeS Finalists: Club Pilates, Eilates, Pilates by Kahley, Pilates of Kansas City, Plus 2 Pilates

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A BABY WINN er : SAINT LUK e ’S H oSPITAL Finalists: AdventHealth, North Kansas City Hospital, Research Medical Center

BEST REHAB TREATMENT CENTER WINN er : A rC PHYSICAL TH er APY+ Finalists: Ability KC, Empower Your Pelvis, Performance Rehab, SERC Physical Therapy

BEST ROCK CLIMBING GYM WINN er : roKC Finalists: IBEX Climbing Gym, Sequence Climb

BEST SOAKING POOL/FLOAT TANK WINN er : FLoATING KC Finalists: aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness, Total Bliss Massage & Float Therapy

BEST SWIMMING POOL WINN er : WooDSID e Finalists: Adventure Oasis Water Park, Fairway Pool, The J, Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center (Shawnee)

BEST WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC/ COUNSELING WINN er : H e A rTLAND W e IGHT LoSS Finalists: Enhanced Health & Wellness, Medi-Weightloss, Total Weight Loss Center, Vitality Lifestyle Medicine

BEST YOGA STUDIO WINN er : meGAN’S Yo GA TrIbe Finalists: Breathe Yoga, Darling Yoga, Everglow Salon & Wellness Spa, InBliss Yoga, Lisa Ash Yoga, Maya Yoga, Yoga Patch

Best Personal Trainer, Best Local Model: Brandon Smith Photo by Zach Bauman

R iverside Wellness

WHERE QUALITY MEDICAL CANNABIS AND KIND PEOPLE COME TOGETHER

When Riverside Wellness opened their dispensary doors last year—smackdab in the middle of the pandemic, no less—they were determined to find out each and every one of their patient’s needs. “A lot of our team came from the hospitality industry,” says Mary Ann Denzer, Riverside Wellness COO and general manager. “We wanted to not just talk to our customers, but to specifically listen to them about how we could improve their quality of life.”

It didn’t take long before this woman-, minority- and veteran-owned medical marijuana dispensary in Riverside, Missouri found their niche in the market. “We had this revolution happen. Our customers appreciate our honest, compassionate approach,” adds Denzer. “We’ll spend ample time with each person helping them pick out what’s right for them and then follow up afterwards. That’s what separates us. We want to listen to where the customer is at—so we can find the ideal product for them.”

The four founders of Riverside Wellness also wanted to make the entire process as easy and seamless for cannabis patients as possible. “We added a drive-

We’ll spend ample time with each person helping them pick out what’s right for them and then follow up afterwards. That’s what separates us. We want to listen to where the customer is at—so we can find the ideal product for them.”

thru window, delivery, and in-store sales,” she says. “It’s truly one-stop shopping.”

With an extensive selection of products from which to choose, Denzer says the entire team is dedicated to helping medical marijuana patients live their best life. “For some patients, it can be frustrating. They might be suffering from cancer, epilepsy, severe pain— and the medical field hasn’t helped them,” she says. “We can offer them other solutions for a better quality of life. And that’s important—especially people with chronic pain and chronic diseases. Giving them an option has been especially rewarding for our staff.

We’re helping to change their lives and provide them with some relief.”

Born at the beginning of the Missouri cannabis industry, the knowledgeable team at Riverside Wellness remains well-versed in their field. “We know the latest science-based product info, so you’re aware what you are taking, and why,” says Denzer. “We feel really lucky to be located in the Kansas City market. There’s a reason why Missouri is called the Show-Me state. Our patients are all great. They want to know everything—and we love that. They crave all the information and we’re eager to share it with them.”

BEST ATTRACTION

WINN er : TH e N e LSoN-ATKINS

mUSeU m oF A rT

Finalists: Kansas City Zoo, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Union Station, Worlds of Fun

BEST BUSINESS THAT COULD ONLY EXIST IN KC

WINN er : m AD e IN KC

Finalists: Amigoni Urban Winery, Gates BBQ, Kansas City Realty, Leather Masters, Longboards Wraps & Bowls, Shop Local KC, Vignettes Bar

BEST DAY TRIP

WINN er : W eSToN

Finalists: Excelsior Springs, Lawrence, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, Powell Gardens

BEST DOG PARK

WINN er : bA r K

Finalists: Happy Tails Park, Heritage Dog Park, Mutt Run Off-Leash Dog Park, Shawnee Mission Park

BEST ELEVATOR

WINN er : TH e W eSTIN KANSAS

CITY AT CroWN Ce NTer

Finalists: Corporate Woods (Building 6), Hotel Kansas City, KCMO City Hall, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Westport Central Apartments

BEST FACEBOOK PAGE

WINN er : KANSAS CITY e ATS

Finalists: Animal Wonders, Date Ideas and Things to Do in Kansas CIty, KC Discover, Queer Bar Takeover KC

BEST GREEN BUSINESS

WINN er : rIPPLe GLASS

Finalists: Animal Wonders, Down to Earth Services, Green Utopia, Missouri Organic Recycling

BEST HALLOWEEN DESTINATION WINN er : TH e be AST

Finalists: Apparition, Heartland Queer Project: Heaven & Hell, The Enchanted Forest at George Owens Nature Park, Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch

BEST KC BUILDING WHEREIN TO FIND A GHOST WINN er : TH e e LmS H oTe L & SPA

Finalists: Belvoir Winery and Inn, Epperson House, Vaile Mansion

BEST KC HUMANITARIAN

WINN er : SCoTT P oore

Finalists: Bryan Meyer, Deliece Hofen, Rosilyn Temple, Samantha Mothersbaugh

BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST

WINN er : SCoTT P oore

Finalists: Jae Moyer, Justice Gatson, Klassie Alcine, Stacy Shaw

BEST LOCAL AUTHOR

WINN er : v LADI m I r SAINTe

Finalists: Amy Gregory, Candice Millard, Carrie Beamer, Michelle L. Hill

BEST LOCAL BLOG/SUBSTACK

WINN er : KCToDAY

Finalists: The Black Sunflower, Jana Style Blog, Oh So Lovely Blog, Wellness For The Win

BEST LOCAL CHARITY

WINN er : oPer ATI oN

bre AKTH roUGH

Finalists: Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, Drumm Farm Center for Children, The Giving Grove, Lakemary, PawsAbilities, Veterans Community Project

BEST LOCAL HERO

WINN er :PATrICK m AH omeS

Finalists: Animal Dan Cowell, Jason Kander, Jaye Powers, Scott Poore

BEST LOCAL INSTAGRAM

WINN er : @KSUJULI e

Finalists: @animalwonderskc, @ kansasdroneguy, @kc-sips, @ monarch-ps

BEST LOCAL INVESTIGATIVE

REPORTER

WINN er : DIA WALL

Finalists: Angie Ricono, Peggy Lowe, Sarah Plake, Steve Vockrodt

Best KC Humanitarian, Best Local Activist: Scott Poore Photo by Zach Bauman

BEST LOCAL MODEL WINN er : br ANDoN Sm ITH

Finalists: Ali Yvonne, Haley Titsworth, McCartney Segalo, Melissa Bollman

BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY WINN er : GA rY LeZAK

Finalists: Dana Wright, Hartzell Gray, Kristen Thomas, Michael Mackie

BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN WINN er : QUINToN LUCAS

Finalists: Cindy Holscher, Emanuel Cleaver, Emily Weber, Eric Bunch, Greg Razer, Sharice Davids, Whitney Yadrich

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY WINN er : DANA W rIGHT

Finalists: Hartzell Gray, Jen Johnson, Johnny Dare, Lazlo, Scott Parks

BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION WINN er : K mbZ 98.1

Finalists: 90.9 The Bridge, Alt 96.5, Hot 103 Jamz! 103.3, KC 102.1, KCUR 89.3, Mix 93.3

BEST LOCAL TIKTOK WINN er : @AND r3WSKY

Finalists: @CoachKristen, @ hashtagcassie, @themallorykay

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY WINN er : GA rY LeZAK

Finalists: Bryan Busby, Dia Wall, Karli Ritter, Kris Ketz

BEST LOCAL TV SPORTS ANCHOR WINN er : Le N Je NNINGS

Finalists: Aaron Ladd, Mick Shaffer, Rob Collins

BEST LOCAL TV STATION WINN er : K mbC 9

Finalists: Fox4, KCTV5, KSHB 41

BEST LOCAL TV WEATHER FORECASTER WINN er : GA rY LeZAK

Finalists: Bryan Busby, Karli Ritter, Nick Bender

BEST LOCAL TWITTER WINN er : @GUYSSNACKS

Finalists: @katie-cammm, @ksujulie, @Jeremy-Danner

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD WINN er : overLAND PA rK

Finalists: Brookside, Columbus Park, Crossroads, Strawberry Hill, Waldo, West Plaza, Westport

BEST PARK WINN er : LooSe PA rK

Finalists: Meadowbrook Park, Shawnee Mission Park, Swope Park

BEST PLACE FOR A CHEAP DATE WINN er : TH e N e LSoN-ATKINS mUSeU m oF A rT

Finalists: Bella Napoli, Loose Park, Mitch E Amaro, Town Topic

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

WINN er : UP-DoWN KC

Finalists: Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Green Lady Lounge, Harry’s Bar and Tables, Percheron Rooftop Bar

BEST PLACE FOR A LONG WALK WINN er : LooSe PA rK

Finalists: Berkeley Riverfront, Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail, Line Creek Trail, Shawnee Mission Park

BEST PLACE FOR A PICNIC WINN er : TH e N e LSoN-ATKINS mUSeU m oF A rT (LAWN) Finalists: Kaw Point Park, Lake Olathe, Loose Park, Shawnee Mission Park

BEST PLACE FOR A VIEW OF THE CITY WINN er : LI berTY memorIAL Finalists: City Hall Observation Deck, Kaw Point, The Scout Statue, The Village at Briarcliff

BEST PLACE FOR STARGAZING WINN er : P oW e LL GA rD e NS Finalists: The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station, Liberty Memorial Tower, Starlight Theatre

BEST PLACE TO GEEK OUT WINN er : SCI e NCe CITY

Finalists: Double Tap KC, Linda Hall Library, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Pawn and Pint, ReRoll Tavern, Screenland Armour Theatre, Up-Down KC

BEST PLACE TO MEET SINGLES WINN er : JoHN’S b IG D eCK

Finalists: Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill, Patrick’s Bar & No Grill, ReRoll Tavern, Woody’s KC

BEST PLACE TO PICK UP A COPY OF THE PITCH

WINN er : W eSTP orT CoFFee H oUSe

Finalists: 7th Heaven, Eggtc., Leather Masters, North Dragon Chinese, Planet Sub, The Rub Bar-B-Que, Supermart El Torito

BEST PLACE TO PLAY BOARD GAMES WINN er : PAWN AND PINT

Finalists: Cardboard Corner Cafe, Crane Brewing, Game Cafe, ReRoll Tavern, Rewind Video and Dive, TableTop Game & Hobby

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS

WINN er : UNI oN STATI oN Finalists: Boulevard Beer Hall, Gates BBQ, National WWI Museum and Memorial, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

BEST PLACE TO TAKE A SELFIE

WINN er : UNI oN STATI oN

Finalists: Country Club Plaza, Fresh Factory KC, Kansas City Zoo, Liberty Memorial, Society

BEST PLACE TO WORK (OVER 50 EMPLOYEES)

WINN er : KC PeT ProJeCT Finalists: Kansas City Zoo, Lakemary, North Kansas City Hospital, T-Mobile

BEST PLACE TO WORK (UNDER 50 EMPLOYEES)

WINN er : D rU mm FA rm Ce NTer For CHILD re N

Finalists: AesthetiCare MedSpa, The Facial Bar, iFocus Marketing, Kansas City Realty Services, Monarch Plastic Surgery and Skin Rejuvenation Center

BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP WINN er : CHU rCH oF TH e reSU rreCTIoN

Finalists: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, The Keystone Church in Waldo, Unity Temple on the Plaza, Westside Family Church

BEST PUBLIC RESTROOM

WINN er : QUIKTrIP

Finalists: Crown Center, Love’s Travel Stop, Meadowbrook Park, Union Station

BEST ROOFTOP VIEW

WINN er : PerCH ero N rooFToP bA r

Finalists: Canary, Fountain Haus, John’s Big Deck, The Well

BEST SHOP PET

WINN er : A rLo AT brooKSID e bA rK erY & bATH

Finalists: Burt at Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit, Conway at Mills Record Company, Hope at SmartSpot, Ruby at GENEX Therapeutic Solutions

BEST SPORTS TALK RADIO HOST WINN er : CA rrINGToN HA rrISoN

Finalists: Bob Fescoe, Soren Petro, Steven St. John

BEST URBAN GARDEN

WINN er : KAUFFm AN memorIAL GA rD e N

Finalists: 18 Broadway Urban Garden, Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Columbus Park Community Garden, Kansas City Community Gardens, Longfellow Farm, Manheim Gardens, Woodland City

BEST YOUTUBER WINN er : mr . be AT Finalists: Adventures with C3, IX Film Productions, TextuaryElf Gaming

Best Rooftop View, Best Hotel Bar, Best Rooftop Bar: Percheron Photo by Zach Bauman

WINN er : SHoP LoCAL KC

Finalists: Annie Austen, Creativity by Julia, EB and Co., Mid Coast Modern, Shopgirls, Whiskey and Bone, WyCo Vintage

BEST ADULT STORE

WINN er : CI rILLA’S

Finalists: 7th Heaven, Leather Masters

BEST BATH AND BODY SHOP

WINN er : INDIGo WILD

Finalists: Bear Soap Company, Nature Made Me, SOAP Refill Station, Tivona Naturals

BEST BICYCLE SHOP

WINN er : m IDW eST CYCLerY

Finalists: Erik’s Bike Shop, Onestar Bicycles

BEST BLACK-OWNED RETAIL STORE

WINN er : TH e b LACK PANTrY

Finalists: Black Lemon Boutique, Blacque Onyx Apparel, BLK + BRWN., Creativity by Julia, Naava Swim

BEST BOOKSTORE

WINN er : r AINY DAY booKS

Finalists: Afterword Tavern & Shelves, BLK + BRWN., The Green Door Book Store & Gift Shoppe, Half Price Books, Prospero’s Books

BEST BOUTIQUE STORE

WINN er : LoveSToN e D

Finalists: Array: A Collection of Shops, Black Rose Co., The Corner House Furniture and Boutique, Lulu’s Boutique, The Porch Swing, Shopgirls, WyCo Vintage

BEST CANDLES

WINN er : PICKWICK & Co.

Finalists: 7th Heaven, The Corner Candleshop, Effing Candle Co., Heaven Scent Soy Candles, KC Blooms

BEST CLOTHING STORE (MEN’S)

WINN er : ULAH

Finalists: Guevel, Heart of the Hustle Clothing, Hudson & Jane, Reset KC, WyCo Vintage

BEST CLOTHING STORE (NONGENDERED)

WINN er : TH e bUNK er

Finalists: Commandeer Brand, Ezra October, LoveStoned, River Market Antiques, WyCo Vintage

Best Black-Owned Retail Store: The Black Pantry Courtesy The Black Pantry

BEST CLOTHING STORE (WOMEN’S)

WINN er : LoveSToN e D

Finalists: Array: A Collection of Shops, Clothz Minded, Donna’s Dress Shop, Kindred, LUNA, Shopgirls

BEST COMIC BOOK STORE

WINN er : CLINT’S Com ICS Finalists: A to Z Comics, Back in Time Comics and Toys, Elite Comics

BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE

WINN er : boomer ANG Finalists: Black Rose Co., Clothz Minded, Ditto, Do Good Co., Lulu’s Boutique

BEST CRAFT STORE

WINN er : SCr APSKC

Finalists: Artist & Craftsman Supply, BLICK Art Materials, KC Maker Studio and Fabrics, Yarn Social

BEST FARMERS’ MARKET

WINN er : CITY m A rK eT FA rmerS’ m A rK eT

Finalists: Brookside Farmers’ Market, Drumm Farm Market, Merriam Farmers’ Market, Overland Park Farmers’ Market

BEST FASHION DESIGNER

WINN er : WHITN e Y m ANN e Y

Finalists: Commandeer Brand, Ezra October, Justin Houpe

BEST FLORIST WINN er : CreSTWooD FLoW erS Finalists: All A’Bloom Flowers & Gifts, Beco Flowers, Lily Floral Designs, Rose Hill Floral, Shop Local KC, Verdant, Wild Hill Flowers and Events

BEST FRAMING STORE

WINN er : brooKSID e GALLerY & Fr A m ING

Finalists: Four Corners Framed Art, Honey Framing, Hook Gallery & Framing, Picture & Frame Industries, State of the Art

BEST FURNITURE DESIGNER

WINN er : ULAH INTerI orS + D eSIGN

Finalists: Analog Woodworks, Castilleja Furniture + Objects, KC Furnishing CO, Orange Box Woodworks

BEST GARDEN STORE/NURSERY

WINN er : FA m ILY Tree

NU rSerY

Finalists: Colonial Gardens, Farrand Farms, Heartland Nursery and Garden Center, KC Blooms, Soil Service, Suburban Lawn & Garden

BEST GIFT STORE

WINN er : SHoP LoCAL KC

Finalists: Black Rose Co., The Green Door Book Store & Gift Shoppe, KC Style Haus, Mid Coast Modern, WyCo Vintage

BEST GROCERY STORE

WINN er : HY-vee

Finalists: Cosentino’s, Hen House, McKeever’s Market & Eatery, Price Chopper

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE

WINN er : SProUTS

Finalists: Clarity Gluten Free Shop, Natural Grocers, Nature’s Own Health Market, Whole Foods

BEST HOME FURNISHING STORE (LOCAL)

WINN er : N

Finalists: Boodle Lou, Cameron’s Home Furnishings, The Corner House Furniture and Boutique, KC Style Haus, The Porch Swing, RE

BEST HOME GOODS

WINN er : TH

Finalists: Boodle Lou, The Corner House Furniture and Boutique, KC Style Haus, Mid Coast Modern, The Porch Swing, RE

BEST JEWELRY STORE

WINN er : Je W e Ler

Finalists: Coki Bijoux, DelBrenna Jewelry, Especially Jewelry, Niche Jewelry, Precious Metals and Gems, Restoration Jeweler, TIVOL

BEST KC PRIDE CLOTHING

WINN er :

Finalists: The Bunker, Charlie Hustle, GOEX Apparel, Lemonade Creative, RAYGUN, We Get Your Back Apparel, Westside Storey

Best Local Maker: Bear Soap Company Photo by Zach Bauman

BEST METAPHYSICAL/ SPIRITUAL STORE

WINN er : AQUA rIUS

Finalists: Becoming, Fountain City Crystals, Harvest Moon Botanica, Haven Wellness + Spa

BEST OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS

WINN er : re I

Finalists: Moosejaw, The Overland Essentials, Rogers Sporting Goods, Scheels

BEST PET SUPPLY STORE

WINN er : brooKSID e

bA rK erY & bATH

Finalists: Camp Bow Wow, Land of Paws, Miles of Exotics, PawsAbilities, Pet Stop, Treats Unleashed

BEST PLACE TO BUY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

WINN er : me Y er mUSIC

Finalists: Big Dude’s Music City, Butler Music, Explorers Percussion, Music Gear, Palen Music Center

BEST PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR

WINNer: ArISToCr AT moTorS

Finalists: Adams Toyota, Audi Shawnee Mission, Olathe Subaru, Tesla

BEST PLACE TO BUY A USED CAR

WINN er : JAY WoLFe H oNDA

Finalists: Adams Toyota, Audi Shawnee Mission, Elevated Automotive, Olathe Ford Lincoln

BEST PLACE TO BUY EYEGLASSES

WINN er : brooKSID e oPTICAL

Finalists: Fairway Eye Center, Optical Innovations, Precision Optics, Speak Eyecare & Designer Optical

BEST POP-UP SHOP

WINN er : TH e STr AW berrY

SWING INDI e Cr AFT FAI r

Finalists: The Black Pantry, Bleach Bae, Good Dog, Perfectly Mixed

BEST RECORD STORE

WINN er : 7TH H e Ave N

Finalists: Mills Record Company, Records with Merritt, Sister Anne’s Records and Coffee, Vinyl Renaissance & Audio

BEST RETAIL STORE (LAWRENCE)

WINN er : TH e

r Ave N booK STore

Finalists: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Jungle House, The Third Planet, Third Eye Sadie’s, Wonder Fair

BEST SHOE STORE

WINN er : FLeeT FeeT - GA rrY

G rIbb Le ’S rUNNING SP orTS

Finalists: The Foot Spot, Halls Kansas City, Reset KC, WyCo Vintage

BEST SHOPPING CENTER

WINN er : CoUNTrY CLU b

PLAZA

Finalists: Adams Dairy Landing, Legends Outlets, Oak Park Mall, Town Center Plaza, Zona Rosa

BEST SKATE SHOP

WINN er : eSCAPIST SKATeboA rDING

Finalists: Burning Spider Stoke Company, Lovely Skateboards

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

WINN er : SCH ee LS

Finalists: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Rogers Sporting Goods

BEST SWIMWEAR STORE

WINN er : SWI m THINGS

Finalists: Naava Swim, Swimwear Solution

BEST TABLE TOP GAME STORE

WINN er : m ISSI oN: boA rD GA meS

Finalists: Game Cafe, Level One Game Shop, ReRoll Tavern, Sparky’s Card Shop, Table Top Game & Hobby

BEST THRIFT STORE

WINN er : SAverS

Finalists: City Thrift, Hillcrest Thrift Store, Pennies from Heaven, Wonderland

BEST TOBACCO SHOP WINN er : oUTLAW CIGA r Com PANY

Finalists: 4:20 Friendly Smoke Shop, 7th Heaven, La Cultura Cigar & Social, Smokers Heaven

BEST TOY STORE

WINN er : brooKSID e ToY AND SCIe NCe

Finalists: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Brothers Toys and Collectibles, Fat Brain Toys, The Learning Tree

BEST VAPE SHOP

WINN er : 7TH H e Ave N

Finalists: 4:20 Friendly Smoke Shop, Smokers Heaven, Vape Tokz, Vapor Room 816

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE

WINN er : DoNNA’S D reSS SH oP

Finalists: Boomerang, Daisy Lee Vintage, Retro Vixen, River Market Antiques, Theo Nouveau Vintage Design, Wonderland, WyCo Vintage

BEST VINTAGE FINDS

WINN er : rI ver m A rK eT ANTIQU eS

Finalists: Brown’s Vintage and Variety, Daisy Lee Vintage, The Dusted Attic, Glenwood Antique Mall, Theo Nouveau Vintage Design, Wonderland, WyCo Vintage

BEST WEST BOTTOMS VENDOR

WINN er : be LLA PATINA

Finalists: The Dusted Attic, Fetch, Hammerpress, Ugly Glass & Co.

BEST WINE SHOP

WINN er : Gomer ’S

Finalists: Big Mood Natural Wines, The Pairing: Crossroads Wine & Grocer, Plaza Liquor, Underdog Wine Co.

Best Vintage Clothing Store: Donna’s Dress Shop Photo by Zach Bauman

BEST ATHLETE

WINN er : PATrICK m AH omeS

Finalists: A.D. Franch, Bobby Witt Jr., Julian Marquez, Khiry Shelton

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

WINN er : WA rD PA rKWAY LAN eS

Finalists: Gladstone Bowl, Mission Bowl, Olathe Lanes East, Park Lanes, Pinstripes

BEST BREAK OUT ROOM

WINN er : bre AKoUT KC

Finalists: The Basement, Escape Room Kansas City, Tick Tock Escape Room

BEST CASINO WINN er : A merISTA r CASINo H oTe L KANSAS CITY

Finalists: Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa, Harrah’s Kansas City Hotel and Casino

BEST DRIVING RANGE

WINN er : ToPGoLF

Finalists: Ironhorse Golf Club, Shoal Creek Driving Range and Batting Cages, Smiley’s Golf Complex, T-Shotz

BEST GOLF COURSE WINN er : SYK eS/LADY overLAND PA rK G

LF CoU rSe

Finalists: Creekmoor Golf Club, Drumm Farm Golf Club, Falcon Ridge Golf Club, Painted Hills Golf Club, Stone Canyon Golf Club

BEST LOCAL FAMILYFRIENDLY ACTIVITY WINN er : KANSAS CITY Zoo

Finalists: Kansas City Current, MY Play Cafe, Topgolf, T-Shotz

BEST LOCAL STADIUM/ARENA WINN er : A rroWH e AD STADIU m

Finalists: EPIC Sports Lodge, Children’s Mercy Park, Kauffman Stadium, Legends Field

BEST PLACE TO GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH

WINN er : WorLDS oF FUN

Finalists: Double Tap KC, Leather Masters, MOJO Cycling Studio, Volleyball Beach

BEST PLACE TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES/ ARCADE

WINN er : UP-DoWN KC

Finalists: Draftcade, Double Tap KC, King Cade, Rewind Video and Dive, T-Shotz

BEST PLACE TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL

WINN er : voLLe Y bALL be ACH

Finalists: Berkley Riverfront Volleyball Courts, The Sandbox, Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball

BEST PLACE TO SHOOT POOL

WINN er : SID e P oCK eTS

BEST PLACE TO TABLE TOP GAME

WINN er : PAWN & PINT

Finalists: Cardboard Corner Cafe, Mission: Board Games, ReRoll Tavern, Rewind Video and Dive, TableTop Game & Hobby

BEST PLACE TO THROW DARTS

WINN er : br ASS r AIL

Finalists: Captain’s Sports Lounge, The Easy Inn

BEST ROLLER DERBY TEAM

WINN er : Love LY LeTHALS

Finalists: Deadly Sirens, Shotgun Sheilas

BEST SPORTS TEAM

BEST ORGANIZED BIKE RIDE WINN er : ToU r D

er

Finalists: Bike MS, Thirstday Night Ride - Velo Garage and Tap House

BEST ORGANIZED FOOTRACE/RUN WINN er : roCK TH e PA rKWAY

Finalists: CCVI Trolley Run, Kansas City Marathon, Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run

Finalists: Brass Rail, Chartreuse Saloon, Lucky Boys, The Quaff

WINN er : KANSAS CITY CHI e FS

Finalists: Kansas City Comets, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Monarchs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City

BEST SPOT FOR YARD GAMES

WINN er : CHICK e N N PICKLe

Finalists: Char Bar, Double Tap KC, Kansas City Bier Company

Best Local Family-Friendly Activity: Kansas City Zoo Photo by Jim Nimmo

AN offbeat CELEBRATION DESIGN, STYLING, AND PLANNING PARTNER FOR THE dreamers

THE doers, THE rule breakers.

For couples who celebrate their biggest feelings by relishing in the smallest details. Let’s make your day Wildly Yours.

www.wildlyyoursweddings.com | hello@wildlyyoursweddings.com

by

BEST BACHELOR PARTY LOCATION

WINN er : UP-DoWN KC

Finalists: Barley Bus, Crossroads Hotel, Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City Club

BEST BACHELORETTE PARTY LOCATION

WINN er : HA mbU rG er m A rY’S

Finalists: Alchemy Space Pole and Fitness, Bamboo Penny’s, Barley Bus, The Facial Bar, Kansas City Club

BEST BRIDESMAID DRESS SHOP

WINN er : TrU e SoCI eTY bY be LLe vo GU e brIDAL

Finalists: All My Heart Bridal, The One Bridal, Pearl & Lace Bridal, Something White Bridal Boutique, Wedding Expressions by Geri

BEST COUPLES THERAPIST

WINN er : SIm PLe em PATHY

Finalists: Grant Wood - Resonate Clinic, Dr. Heather Smith, Open the Doors Coaching, Tom Page Counseling

BEST DIVORCE LAWYER

WINN er : TH e LAW oFFICe oF m AGGI e L. AND erSoN

Finalists: Abraham Kuhl, Lauren Fields, William Quitmeier

BEST ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

WINN er : CATe e IGH me Y PH oTo G r APHY

Finalists: E. Golden Moments, EAM Photography, Enlow Productions, Hallie Sigwing

BEST HAND-LETTERING/STATIONERY

WINN er : SCrIPT YoU r eve NT Finalists: The Authentic Hand, East + West Designs, Gale Nation Hand Lettering, Little Yellow Leaf, Nellie Sparkman Events, Pen Oak Calligraphy & Design, Yellow Brick Graphics

BEST HOTEL FOR YOUR WEDDING NIGHT ;)

WINN er : CroSSroADS H oTe L Finalists: 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City, Hotel Indigo, Hotel Kansas City, Loews Kansas City Hotel

BEST LOCAL WEDDING CATERER WINN er : br ANCATo ’S CATerING

Finalists: Blue Pot Catering, Culinary Creations, Dutzel’s Catering, Matthew’s Catering, Olive Events

BEST PLACE FOR A REHEARSAL DINNER

WINN er : LIDIA’S KANSAS CITY Finalists: The Bowery Kansas City, Chicken N Pickle, Cinder Block Brewery, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Grand Street Cafe, Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City Club

BEST PLACE FOR WEDDING PHOTOS

WINN er : KAUFFm AN Ce NTer For TH e PerForm ING A rTS Finalists: Crossroads Hotel, The Historic 9th District, Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City Club, Liberty Memorial

BEST PLACE TO GET A TUX

WINN er : TIP ToP TUX Finalists: Dan Dan The Wedding Man, Houndstooth, Wedding Expressions by Geri

BEST PLACE TO GET A WEDDING CAKE

WINN er : m CLAIN’S bAK erY Finalists: 3 Women and an Oven, Blue Thistle, KcCakeLady, Morgana’s Gluten Free Bakery, Sugar & Spice Catering, Sugar Whipped Bakery, Yummies by Yoka

BEST PLACE TO GET A WEDDING CAKE ALTERNATIVE

WINN er : DoLCe bAK erY

Finalists: 3 Women and an Oven, Kate Smith Soiree, Morgana’s Gluten Free Bakery, Sugar Whipped Bakery, Yummies by Yoka

BEST PLACE TO GET A WEDDING DRESS

WINN er : TrU e SoCI eTY bY be LLe vo GU e brIDAL Finalists: All My Heart Bridal, Bridal Extraordinaire, Something White Bridal Boutique, Wedding Expressions by Geri

BEST WEDDING BAND WINN er : LoST WAX bAND Finalists: The Crossroad Sound, Diamond Empire Band, Hot Club KC, Twice on Sunday

BEST WEDDING DJ WINN er : DJ m IC-KC Finalists: DJ Alex Reed, DJ Max James, Icon Event Group, MIC King Music and Events

BEST WEDDING FLORIST WINN er : WILD HILL FLoW erS AND eve NTS

Finalists: The Cottage Rose, Floriography, Good Earth Floral Design Studio, Lily Floral Designs, Studio Dan Meiners

BEST WEDDING HAIR STYLIST WINN er : P oSH KC

Finalists: Hello Lovely, Roxana Dolson Hair & Makeup, Terin Sexton, xoxo - Abby Rose

BEST WEDDING JEWELER WINN er : me I eroTTo Je W e LerS

Finalists: Anne-Marie Designs, Diamonds Direct, Especially Jewelry, TIVOL

BEST WEDDING MAKEUP ARTIST WINN er : H e LLo Love LY Finalists: Audra Ashlee Artistry, Hannah Zuercher at Soft Glow Studio, Posh KC, Roxana Dolson Hair & Makeup, Terin Sexton

BEST WEDDING OFFICIANT/ CELEBRANT

WINN er : TH e voW e XCHANG e Finalists: Timmy Gibson Weddings, Wedley Weddings

BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WINN er : b LACK CoFFee

PH oTo Co.

Finalists: Ashley Ice Photography, E. Golden Moments, EAM Photography, LGEmerick Photography, TJ Stansbury Photography

BEST WEDDING PLANNER

WINN er : WILDLY YoU rS W e DDINGS + e LoPeme NTS

Finalists: Events by Monet, Fiore Events, The Perfect Touch KC, The Veil KC, Wild Hill Flowers and Events

BEST WEDDING RECEPTION VENUE

WINN er : TH e bA rDoT

Finalists: The Bowery Kansas City, The English Barn, Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City Club

BEST WEDDING VENUE

WINN er : CroSSroADS H oTe L

Finalists: The Bardot, The Bowery Kansas CIty, The English Barn, Kansas City Club

BEST WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

WINN er : H er THIrD e Y e

ProDUCTIoNS

Finalists: Darby Studios - Photo & Film, Living Proof Productions, Olivia Renee Wedding Videography, Omega Weddings

Best Place to Get a Wedding Cake, Best Bakery (Bread), Best Bakery (Sweets), Best Locally Made Sweets: McLain’s Bakery Courtesy McLain’s Bakery