Prospect KC Brings Unique Coffee Bar Collaboration with Messenger to Iconic Downtown Kansas City Library

An inspiring scene is brewing inside the Central Library in downtown Kansas City

Downtown Kansas City, Missouri is about to become the city’s new coffee hotspot. The Prospect KC, an organization launched in 2019 to serve the city’s East Side, is set to open a unique coffee bar and café collaboration with Messenger Coffee Co. inside the Central Library at 14 West 10th St. A project that reflects the combined efforts of the local culinary scene and community empowerment initiatives, the opening is set for the beginning of August.

The Revival of ‘The Nook’

Once a bustling hub of coffee lovers and avid readers but shuttered during the pandemic, The Nook is being revived as a coffee bar and café. This 1,350-square-foot space will now serve as the go-to spot for patrons looking for delicious food and drink options, as well as a live-training environment for The Prospect KC’s culinary students. The café is expected to be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday starting from August 7.

The bold initiative is spearheaded by Shanita McAfee-Bryant, founder of The Prospect KC. McAfee-Bryant has highlighted the Kansas City Public Library as a perfect environment for students to polish their culinary skills whilst assisting in addressing issues such as food access, nutrition education, and culinary job training with her program.

The Literary-themed Menu: A Treat for Bibliophiles

Adding a unique touch to the café, The Nook’s menu draws inspiration from literature. The food offerings, ranging from delicious pastries to hearty salads, are prepared by students – providing them a prime opportunity for practical training. These literary-inspired concoctions have been crafted with creativity and originality in mind, offering patrons a taste of classic literature with each sip.

Highlights of the menu include “Charlie’s Riffing Horchata Harmony,” named after Kansas City saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, which is a perfect blend of Messenger Coffee Co. espresso and house-made horchata. Other notable beverages include “Gordon’s Honeyed Lens Latte,” “Langston’s Brown Sugar Oat Groove,” and “Octavia’s Cosmic Caramel Mocha,” each inspired by stalwarts of various creative fields including jazz poetry, sci-fi writing, and photojournalism.

Breakfast and mid-day offerings are equally exciting. The menu includes an array of sandwiches – standout being the “Angelou’s Caged Bird”, a chicken salad sandwich served on a croissant, inspired by Maya Angelou’s poetry. Salads, like the vegan Caesar and the “Brussels & Bliss Parmesan Salad”, alongside a selection of daily bakery items, promise to ensure visitors are well-fed while immersing themselves in literature.

Creating Lasting Change Through Culinary Efforts

This entrepreneurial venture is not just about providing excellent food and drink offerings, but also about striving for a better community. With a mission to create lasting change, Shanita McAfee-Bryant and her team aim to empower lives, disrupt poverty, and cultivate community through their program, providing an environment that nurtures skills and provides access to a promising culinary career to students.

With this project, the Central Library is once again set to serve as a gathering space for the community, welcoming patrons not only to enjoy literature but to devour delicacies while supporting the local culinary students and the fight against food inequity. By providing a space that encourages collaboration, education, and community involvement, The Prospect KC is making a significant impact, one coffee at a time.