For the past couple of years, The Biggest Little Law Firm® in Kansas City has enjoyed hosting client events at Amigoni Urban Winery located in the West Bottoms. Perhaps we like them because they are a small but mighty business just like we are. Amigoni, which has been at its current location since 2012, is just one of the many businesses that are enjoying the resurgence of the West Bottoms. Originally known as the “French Bottoms” due to the trading that took place there between French traders and Kansas Indians, the West Bottoms was an economic hub for the entire area. It had a distinctly bovine fragrance because it was home to all of the major slaughterhouses, a center for railroads and the building site of significant materiel used during War World II in various amphibious invasions. The end of War World II and the flood of 1951, however, caused many of the businesses to pack up and move to higher ground.
In more recent times, many businesses have begun moving back to the West Bottoms, thanks in part to the push for revitalization by Bill Haw, who owns real estate in the area and to the seasonal locations of a number of haunted houses. Haw purchased the Livestock Exchange Building and many nearby properties over time. Currently, there are more than 30 antique shops open for a special event the first weekend of every month and a number of restaurants and artistic endeavors. Over Father’s Day weekend in June, the first Boulevardia will take place in the West Bottoms – a beer, food and music festival, hosted by Boulevard Brewing Company.
Amigoni Urban Winery is located in the historic Daily Drover Telegram Newspaper building on Genessee (which is also owned by Haw and awesomely restored in 2012). Other neighboring properties have been given new life, including the old Sutera’s Restaurant, which was renovated and is now Voltaire, an upscale dining experience. Plug Projects is a small gallery on Genessee Street along with the Genessee Royale and the long-standing Golden Ox. Haw Contemporary is a large gallery at 1600 Liberty, all adding to the diversity of the neighborhood. Kerry Amigoni, in describing the revitalization, says that they “love being one of the originals on the edge in the next area to re-urbanize.”
Perhaps a spook in October will stampede the herd to the Bottoms again!
