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Work Hard, Play Harder
Inspired Play Cafe is celebrating its newest location in Merriam.

Together with
Continue Good is celebrating the “golden era” of Kansas City sports with its newest candle for the Big Game 2025! Show your team spirit while filling your house with the scent of vanilla and sugar. As always, 10% of all proceeds are donated to fight human trafficking!

A quick look at today’s newsletter:
🛝 A new play cafe in Merriam
🍝 Pasta in Shawnee
🛒 A new Hispanic supermarket in Gladstone
🏠 House Hunch

Opening
Inspired Play Cafe is Now Open in Merriam!
Inspired Play Cafe recently opened its second metro location in Merriam and will celebrate with a community ribbon cutting on February 4th!
Playtime in Merriam: Inspired Play Cafe opened its second metro location at 5640 Antioch Road in Merriam on December 27th, but will now host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event alongside the NEJC Chamber from 4:30-6 on Tuesday, February 4th. The first metro location is located at 6527 W. 199th St. in Overland Park.
Work Hard, Play Harder: Inspired Play Cafe is an upscale play space with a full food and drink menu. The educationally-inspired space offers classes, monthly programs, and a supportive community for parents and caregivers. The spaces are also available for private events and birthday parties.
Reserve your next play date at Inspired Play Cafe HERE.

Food and Drink
A Drive-Thru Pasta Concept is Coming to Shawnee
A local chef will open Simon’s Pasta just off Shawnee Mission Parkway in Shawnee.
Fast Pasta: Simon Soeun will open his namesake restaurant after most recently working as the head chef at Aixois in Leawood. Soeun received culinary training in Paris before working in restaurants throughout France and the Caribbean.
Shawnee Spaghetti: Simon’s Pasta will occupy the building that formerly housed Saints Pub Express, which closed in April 2024. Curious about “drive-thru pasta”? Think Fazoli’s, but local.
Simon’s Pasta will be located at 13655 W. 63rd St. in Shawnee.

Opening
El Mercado Fresco to Open a New Location in Gladstone
A locally-owned Hispanic supermarket is coming soon to Gladstone.
Bienvenido al Norte: El Mercado Fresco will open its eighth metro location at 6599 N. Oak Trafficway, replacing Gladstone Supermarket. El Mercado Fresco takes possession of the building in February and expects to be open sometime in the spring.
Fresh Mex: The Hispanic supermarket offers a wide selection of grocery items, including meat and poultry, fresh produce, fresh-baked tortillas, Mexican seafood, and other Hispanic products not found elsewhere. The stores also serve made-to-order food from on-site kitchens.
Find the El Mercado Fresco nearest you HERE.

Sponsored by Becca Hageman at Compass Realty Group
House Hunch 🏠

Becca Hageman - Compass Realty Group
Can you guess the price of this Kansas City area house based off just one photo?HINT: 4 bed, 2 bath, 2,424 sqft, finished basement |
Realtors - Do you have an active/upcoming listing that you want featured on House Hunch? Let us know!

KC Daily Picks
In Other News…
🩺 One Day or Day One: Instead of setting vague or impossible resolutions, focus on evidence-informed, personalized health care that leads to long-term success! Attend The Center for Intentional Health’s free functional health seminar on February 5th. Email or call 913-295-9393 to reserve your spot - space is limited!*
🤝 Lifestyle Handyman: Do you have a to-do list that’s just a little too long? ProcureKC is here to help! Room organization? Check. Errands to run? Done. Deep cleaning? No problem. Reach out today!*
😢 Goodbye, Friend: Kinship Café sadly announced it will soon close its doors at 719 N 6th St. in KCK. In the announcement made via social media, Kinship said it would seek a new location either in Missouri or elsewhere in Wyandotte County.
🤔 Who to Cheer For?: Jason Kelce will be in a pickle on Super Bowl Sunday, having to decide to cheer on his brother and the Chiefs or his former team in the Eagles. If you were in his shoes, who would you cheer for?
📢 Tell Me About Yourself: We write KC Daily for every person who calls Kansas City (and its surroundings) home! Please help us continue improving our newsletter by filling out this short form. (it’ll take one minute, tops)
🤝 Your Friendly Neighborhood Newsletter: KC Daily will always be free, thanks to members of our Fan Club who generously support our newsletter. Skip the extra Starbucks run this month and support your favorite local newsletter instead. We’ll reward you with awesome Fan-exclusive giveaways. 👀
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