KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During the COVID-19 pandemic, several businesses have closed for good as restrictions and consumer habits have changed, affecting their bottom line. But one company bucking that trend will open in Westport, bringing an assortment of foods and concepts inside a historic building.
Atomic Provisions, based in Denver, is opening a four-in-one concept to the old Westport Ice Building that was built in 1907 at the corner of West 42nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Inside will be the Atomic Cowboy Bar, the Denver Biscuit Company for mornings, Fat Sully’s Pizza for the nightside crowd and off to the side on another side of the building will be Frozen Gold, soft-serve ice cream.
"Westport was a perfect spot for us with a combination of breakfast in the morning and a bar at night," Nate Lotz, director of operations for Atomic Provisions, said, "and ice cream was kind of a left field action but we love that too."
The company bought the entire building and kept many aspects of its character.
“When you come inside, you see the original limestone. You see original beam work, original ceilings and it’s beautiful," Lotz said. "That you can’t replace. You can’t copy that."
The establishment, according to Lotz, is "bucking the trend," opening up as many other restaurants have packed up.
"We feel confident in our safety practices, the size of the building is big enough so that we can distance people effectively," Lotz said. "We’ve got lots of patio space and so we feel good even opening in this climate."
On Sunday, 41 Action News saw new staff being trained -- especially on safety protocols and making sure other employees and customers are safe during this pandemic.
While this place will open July 21, it has a shortage of staff and still is looking to hire workers.
“We’d like to see some fresh, bright faces come in and apply," Lotz said. "We’re still looking for some spots for Frozen Gold. We’d love to see some hosts even serve as bartenders, all kinds of people."
