KC = Dogs + Parks? Check. Dogs + Shopping? Check. Dogs + Dining? Check.
Dogs + Parks + Café/Bar? Nope, not yet…It’s Coming Soon!
Kansas City is very well versed in the principles of a pooch. Often overlooked as a pet-friendly place to vacation (ranked 50th in 2015), we are a very wide-spread, dog-loving community and a very pet-friendly city. The Country Club Plaza is a perfect example of pet meets shopping and dine out. Retailers, on the Plaza, give a hearty welcome to dog lovers by placing dog bowls, full of H2O, out in front of their stores. Most of the stores even welcome doesn’t exist here in KC, a whole new concept: A dog + park + café bar. Cool, huh?!
Two dog lovers and long-time friends, David Hensley and Leib Dodell, spent 6 months in Colorado with their furry friends and came up with this fantastic concept called Bar K. This concept will help put Kansas City on the map as a pet-friendly place and inspire many people around the nation to visit us here in KC! David and Leib came from two different career paths and walks of life, but decided to join together to make this concept a reality here in KC.
What is Bar K?
The idea is to have an indoor/outdoor dog park that can be used all year around. It will be managed by several on staff trainers. There will be a really cool, down to earth bar incorporated into the scheme that will host simple and healthy food options, along with a juice bar, and pet-friendly food options. Dogs can come try out their own menus, alongside their owners. Now, we can truly say, “Bone Appetite!”
Bar K is going to be launched spring 2017 and construction will begin the end of this year, 2016. It will be located in the near the River Market park area and can be accessed through the KC streetcar, who have even issued statements that they will allow service animals and dogs in small carriers onto the new KC transportation system. This means, there are some smaller pets that will be able to ride with their owners down to the River Market to hit up this bark in the park.
If you want to find out more about it and get involved, Bar K will be doing a Pup-Up on July 10th, at their proposed location at Riverfront Park, near the River Market neighborhood. They’re planning to launch a kick starter to help raise funds for their bar and park construction. Come and check it out and help to welcome Bar K. Let’s help put another great concept onto KC soil!
