KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One of the most popular coffee shops in America is coming to Brookside.
Starbucks confirmed to 41 Action News that they plan to open a store in the neighborhood in Spring 2018.
Whether you drive or take a stroll through Brookside, it’s easy to see that the neighborhood thrives on local businesses like World's Window.
Owner Jan Buerge set up shop on West 63rd Street 22 years ago.
"We love that is a walk-around area, and that people come to Brookside because they find unusual things and interesting things to shop," Buerge said.
On Friday, she learned that coffee giant Starbucks has set its sights on Brookside.
"We never know what the effect of a new business coming in [will be], so we love new businesses coming in," Buerge said.
A Starbucks representative told 41 action news the specific store location is still in the works, but a storefront on the corner of 63rd and Brookside Plaza is in the running.
The landlord, Joe Zwillenberg, said CBD Plus will be moving out at the end of the year when their lease is up.
Zwillenberg is currently negotiating with the owners of the Goodcents located at 6304 Brookside Blvd. Their lease also expires at the end of the year.
Zwillenberg told 41 Action News there are currently three offers on the table from potential tenants but he is not at liberty to discuss those publicly just yet due to non-disclosure agreements.
"I don't like the chain idea. We want to keep it more local, like the Roasterie is Kansas City-local. We would love to see a Parisi move in, not a chain," Jill Rodick, a Brookside resident, said.
In a statement the founder of the Roasterie, Danny O’Neill, wrote:
“The Brookside Shopping District has thrived for generations with local businesses that make it a signature destination for Kansas City residents and visitors alike. The Roasterie has been fortunate to be part of the vibrant neighborhood since 2005. As one of those local business owners, I’m confident that the loyal support and patronage all of us enjoy and appreciate will keep Brookside a unique collection of locally owned and operated shops and businesses.”
Loyalty was key the last time Starbucks tried to compete with a popular local coffeehouse.
Patrons kept flocking to the Broadway Cafe in Westport despite Starbucks opening a store nearby. That shop eventually closed in 2008.
This time around, Brookside residents said they simply want to avoid all of that.
"I'm sure they see a hole they want to fill but no thanks," Rodick said.
