The Great Plaza Debate

It's been a topic of conversation in the past, but with so many more PlazaBUZZ followers, perhaps we should revisit the topic. The great tradition of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City has always been one of preeminence when it comes to shopping and entertainment. It is a bastion of Kansas City culture.

And yet, there is a debate about the type of businesses that should be here.

On one hand, you have the residents on or near the Plaza. Few of us want to see more national brands, for we know that we can get them at Town Center or Zona Rosa or any number of other locations (or, for that matter, any other city). Do we really need another national restaurant chain or a Forever 21? We want local flavor.

On the other hand, the managing entity of the Plaza claims that the tourists that visit want to shop at the national brands. And, since the tourists, they say, spend more money on the Plaza than the residents, the tourists are the reason that we have a Cheesecake, Fogo, PF, Coach, et al.

So, BUZZers, what say you? I've added a poll on the right side of the page for your votes. Feel free to comment below!

Hasta la BYE-BYE Mr. Brady!

From KansasCity.com: Barry Brady is retiring at Highwoods Properties and relinquishing management of the Country Club Plaza, the shopping and entertainment district that he has run for 13 years.

“It’s my decision,” Brady said Tuesday. “Highwoods has been a good company. I’m 62 and I’m going to take some time off.”

To whomever may replace Mr. Brady,

1. Could we please stop the commercialization of the Plaza with national brands?
2. We don't want a Forever21 or an upscale Target. We would love, however, a Dean&Deluca or a Trader Joe's.
3. Don't go the route of the P&L... keep some local flavor like the Classic Cup and other beloved KC eateries!
4. Can we, seriously, turn 46th Street in a promenade, a la 3rd Street in Santa Monica? We may be able to avoid the near-death experience when walking the streets from those who have no intention of stopping at crosswalks and those that punch it coming out of parking garages.

And that's all I have to say about that... for now.

Sincerely,
PlazaBUZZ Resident Bob

Rain & Driving

I love rain unless I have to leave the cozy confines of the PlazaBUZZ HQ... kinda like I have to do now. Fortunately, there are both beer and family members at the destination. Okay, that's what I needed to write... I can go now.

Back on the P-BUZZ beat tomorrow.