Paris Brothers Inc. is hoping you'll follow the smell of roasting coffee straight to Union Station.
As reported in The Kansas City Star, Parisi Artisan Coffee is opening its first retail location in the city at the downtown train station (30 West Pershing Road). A late spring opening for the coffee store, which will serve food and drinks, is planned.
A coffee shop is a welcome addition to the roster at Union Station because it offers a middle ground between the concessions and sit-down restaurants that are currently in operation. But the decision wasn't purely financial, as Paris Brothers Vice President Joseph Paris explains to the Star:
"It gives us an opportunity to show who we are, and it provides a service for a civic location. If we were worried strictly about a return on investment, it may not make sense. But we believe in what is going on down there."Parisi has focused on its presence locally the past few years, introducing a Royal Blue blend at Kauffman Stadium in 2009. And when I sampled the iced version at home last year (Royal Blue is also available at Hy-Vee), I was happy to proclaim it the "best ballpark coffee I've ever had." The specialty roaster's coffee is served at Jasper's Restaurant, Cafe Europa, Pandolfi's Deli, the Westport Coffee House, and You Say Tomato, among others.
