August 06, 2007

Kansas City Power & Light District Reveals Six New Tenants

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Cordish Company announced today six tenants that will locate in the Kansas City Power & Light District.   Anchoring the announcement is McFadden’s Sports Saloon, an Irish bar with numerous locations in major markets throughout the United States.  Also announced were multiple amenity-driven retailers that will service the burgeoning residential population in downtown Kansas City.  These tenants are Latteland, GNC, The Fudgery, Polished, and Plaza Ford Ideal.

“McFadden’s is a respected name in major markets around the country and is a great addition to the entertainment and restaurant offerings within the Kansas City Power & Light District,” said Blake Cordish, vice president of The Cordish Company, developer of the Kansas City Power & Light District.

“In addition, the announcement of amenity-driven tenants to the District truly compliments the vision of creating a neighborhood in downtown Kansas City,” said Cordish. “These tenants, along with other previously announced tenants such as Cosentino’s Downtown Market, and a major health club (to be announced soon) create a nucleus for downtown residential life and help make Kansas City a true 24-hour city.”

“It has always been The Cordish Company’s and the City of Kansas City’s vision to create this dynamic collection of amenities, entertainment, dining and shopping in the Power & Light District to create a true downtown which appeals to all different types of people including residents, office workers, conventioneers, and visitors,” said Cordish.  “More residents living downtown is a key to downtown Kansas City’s future success, and the amenities we have announced help complete this transformative vision.”

McFadden’s Sports Saloon
McFadden’s Sports Saloon is an Irish themed sports bar offering classic pub food, tremendous sports viewing and live entertainment in a comfortable tavern setting.  It will occupy a 6,900 sq ft space on the ground level of the Kansas City Live! block facing Grand Street between 13th and 14th Streets, across the street from the new Sprint Center. Serving lunch, dinner and a crazy nightlife, McFadden’s also offers shuffleboard, darts, a resident deejay and live entertainment.   The restaurant and bar is equipped with state of the art technology including digital surround sound, high definition plasma TVs and large projection screens, making it the perfect venue to watch sports games. McFadden’s will be open seven days a week to satisfy all sports lovers’ game-viewing needs.

Established in New York City in 1977, McFadden’s has expanded to premier cities such as Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Washington, DC; and at the entrance to the Phillie’s Citizen’s Bank Park baseball stadium in Philadelphia, PA.

“We are thrilled to bring our restaurant entertainment experience to the Kansas City Power & Light District,” said John Sullivan, owner of the company. “We have had great success becoming a part of cities around the country and have complete confidence in The Cordish Company and their ability to establish vibrant and exciting districts.  We look forward to making McFadden’s a part of the community for years and years to come.”

The warm, modern saloon décor will reflect an 'Olde New York' tavern ambiance and will feature three interior mahogany bars, one with a fresh, raw seafood bar and another with an open grill. McFadden’s will offer outdoor dining within the Live! block plaza and also along Grand Street across from the Sprint Center.

“McFadden’s energetic and warm sports pub atmosphere is the perfect addition to the Kansas City Live! block, especially as a neighbor to the Sprint Center and the many sports events and concerts already scheduled there,” Blake Cordish said. “It is sure to be Kansas City’s premiere sports and dining destination.”

The Fudgery
Located in the center of the Kansas City Power & Light District, The Fudgery will occupy 1,740 sq ft on the west side of Walnut Street between 13th and 14th streets.

A.C. Marshall revolutionized the fudge industry when he began his fudge empire in 1980. He dubbed his concept “fudge theatre,” as he entertained shoppers with his whistling and singing while he crafted his delicious fudge. The confectionary shop uses only the highest quality ingredients to create its made-from-scratch fudge, gourmet pralines, and chocolate dipped pretzels. Copper kettles boiling over with fudge create a delightful, warm fudge shop atmosphere, while confectioners engage guests with song and dance.

The Fudgery has over 30 locations, but this will be Marshall’s first location in the Kansas City area and his sixth location in Missouri.

“We have long felt that Kansas City is an excellent market for our entertainment themed fudge business,” said A.C. Marshall, owner and founder.  “It has always been a matter of locating a retail facility that encompassed the qualities we seek. Now, we are truly excited about our opportunity to become a component of the exciting Kansas City Power & Light District.”
 
GNC
GNC, providing vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products, will occupy a 1,700 sq ft retail store on the south side of 12th Street between Main Street and Walnut Street. GNC is the world's largest specialty retailer of nutritional products and is known for its devotion to helping its customers improve the quality of their lives.

“We are excited to bring our concept of healthy living downtown to make it more easily accessible to downtown residents, workers, and hotel and convention guests,” said Steve Wesselmann, general manager of Healthy Life of Kansas, Inc., who currently owns five GNC franchises throughout the Kansas City and Manhattan, KS areas. “Health and nutrition are important parts of life, and we are proud to promote that to the millions of people who will travel through the Power & Light District.”

Lattéland Espresso & Tea
Kansas City’s largest locally owned coffeehouse, Lattéland Espresso & Tea, will occupy a 1,700 sq ft store at the corner of Main Street and 12th Street. Since 1992, Lattéland has crafted some of Kansas City’s favorite coffees, blended iced drinks, fresh fruit smoothies and bakery items, baked from scratch every morning beginning at 3 a.m. The Power & Light District will be the coffeehouse’s seventh location in Kansas City. Lattéland has been awarded ‘Best Coffeehouse” by KC Magazine and Citysearch, “Best Local Coffeehouse” by Ingrams Magazine, and “Best-tasting Blended Iced Coffee” by The Pitch.

“Every neighborhood in America needs a local coffeehouse,” said Ed Schultz, president of Lattéland. “With locations throughout the city and suburbs, we are proud to bring our local flavor and charming, intimate coffeehouse atmosphere downtown and contribute to rebuilding Kansas City’s urban core.”
 
Polished
Polished will feature full-service nail enhancements, spa manicures and pedicures.  It will be located in a 1,195 sq ft space on Main Street between 12th and 13th streets. Owned by Holly Huynh, Polished will feature reasonably priced and creative nail packages for women and men. Polished will offer professional express nail services, as well as extensive spa packages enhanced with foot massages and exfoliation scrubs.  Groups may reserve manicure or pedicure parties for birthdays, weddings and corporate retreats.

“Our nail salon concept is creative and fun, and we feel it will thrive within downtown’s urban lifestyle and the Power & Light District,” said Holly Huynh, Polished’s creator and owner. “Downtown has a strong need for a full-service salon that can offer a quick, efficient high quality service on someone’s lunch hour or a relaxing treat on their way home from work.”

Plaza Ford Ideal
Locally owned and operated dry cleaner, Plaza Ford Ideal, will occupy a 950 sq ft store on Main Street, between 12th and 13th Streets. Plaza Ford Ideal does alterations and full-service laundry and dry cleaning. Aside from its standard services, the store also offers a 24-hour turnaround and daily specials. Plaza Ford Ideal has operated in Kansas City since 1908 and currently has 10 metro locations.

“Downtown is growing, and we feel the District is the perfect location to service the needs of downtown residents and workers,” said Peter Lee, owner of Plaza Ford Ideal. “We are extremely excited to be at the heart of it all in the Kansas City Power & Light District.”

About the Kansas City Power & Light District
The Kansas City Power & Light District will create a vibrant, new eight block neighborhood in downtown Kansas City which will redefine the City from its skyline to its sidewalks.  The District will link together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments.  Developed in partnership with the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri, the $850 million mixed-use District will anchor $2 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City.  The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with imaginative and innovative design will create a unique and vibrant neighborhood.  The retail and entertainment portion of the Kansas City Power & Light District will feature the country’s premier concepts such as Gordon Biersch Brewery, Mosaic Lounge, Famous Dave’s Barbecue, Jos. A. Bank, Bristol Seafood Grill, ChinaBAR, Vinino, Cosentino’s Downtown Gourmet Market, AMC’s flagship arts movie theater in the revitalized Empire Theater, and a 3,000 capacity live music venue in the Midland Theater.  The Kansas City Power & Light District will feature vibrant lighting and landscaping, outdoor seating for restaurants, and a permanent performance stage to provide live entertainment.

About McFadden’s Sports Saloon
The McFadden’s Sports Saloon concept originated in New York City in 1977 and has been a landmark pub for almost 30 years. McFadden’s offers lunch, brunch, dinner, and a late-night menu. With more than 10 locations across the United States, the McFadden’s brand has expanded to other new titles such as Sully’s, Burke’s Bar, and Calico Jack’s.

About The Fudgery
In 1980, A.C. Marshall revolutionized the time honored tradition of making fudge with the grand opening of the world's very first Fudgery. Marshall would talk to his customers, even sing and whistle tunes for them whistle while he worked. He dubbed this approach to fudge making as fudge theatre. Millions have experienced his appetizing blend of song and sustenance, only these days, crews of caroling confectioners slice up the fudge and provide the entertainment at more than 33 locations around the United States.
Marshall describes his Fudgery concept as interactive retail. Some of his entertaining workers have gone on to stardom. The R&B group, Dru Hill, first made a name for itself in a Baltimore, Md., Fudgery. The group was on the Billboard charts and TV talk shows. Also included in this group of Fudgery singers is Sisqo, who has gone on to major stardom in music and movies.

About Lattéland Espresso & Tea
In 1992 Lattéland Espresso & Tea opened as one of Kansas City’s first espresso bars. It has since grown to seven locations across the Kansas City metropolitan area.

About Plaza Ford Ideal
Plaza Ford Ideal has serviced Kansas City’s dry cleaning needs since 1908. The full service operation currently runs 10 stores in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

About Polished
Holly Huynh will open the first Polished location in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The salon will offer full service spa manicures and pedicures. Polished will cater to professionals working downtown who need a quick nail service during their lunch hour, as well as after work. The nail salon will be open six days a week.

About GNC
As the largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral, herbal and sports nutrition supplements, GNC operates more than 5,000 retail outlets throughout the United States including more than 1,300 domestic franchise locations, more than 1,100 store-within-a-store locations under its strategic alliance with Rite Aid and more than 830 locations in more than 40 foreign markets including Canada and Mexico.

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