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Outta The Blue and Into KC’s Little Oasis

Surf’s up, and Leawood is ready to hang at the best little piece of island paradise now open at Park Place. “Outta the Blue” is a fresh and breezy beach café-bar and the latest offering from local staple Made in KC.

Featuring local Marcell Roasters coffee, all-local Made-in-KC café menu, cold-pressed juices, a full cocktail menu including tropical cocktails, beach-brew beers, and the “best natural wine list in South KC,” Outta the Blue is luring Leawood wayfarers to lounge awhile at this seaside retreat, no passport required.

“Escape your day-to-day and join us,” says Keith Bradley, co-owner of Made in Kansas City and Outta the Blue. “Order at the bar and then find a space to kick back and relax.”

Easy to do in this sunlit cove located at 5291 W. 116th Place. After being greeted by two full-grown King palm trees imported from San Diego and other planted tropicals from Family Tree Nursery, you can bask in the natural beams from the huge windows and enjoy real surf boards and grass skirt garlands sporting the walls. It’s more Bondi-Beach modern than it is Disney Tiki Room, and the comfy chairs, rattan barstools and swings (yes swings!) bring chill vibes whether indoors or outdoors on the patio.

Try the vegan breakfast sandwiches, pastries and Coconut Iced Latte on the cafe menu; the Blue Hawaiian on the bar menu; and the must-try, most-talked-about drink, Painkiller, a KC signature.  

Now the 10th establishment for Made in Kansas City, Outta the Blue employs 12 helpful staff, including manager, A.J. Valle. It’s the companion cafe to Front Range Coffeehouse and Provisions in Fairway, Kan., a mountain/cabin theme concept. “What Front Range is to the mountains, Outta the Blue is to the oceans and beach,” Keith says. 

Whether fresh mountain air or sea breeze, it’s a welcome scent we’re loving, and the public response has been two thumbs up.

“We think there’s a real hunger and desire for Kansas Citians to get out and explore their city again and having new spaces to discover is a big part of that,” Keith says. “Despite the challenges of this past year, we are really excited with the timing of how this project turned out.” 

Keith adds that the Made in KC platform (a homegrown retail outlet for Kansas City area makers, designers and artists) fosters creating new concepts. “It’s really fun to be a part of a team that has such great creativity and is willing to take risks with spinoffs. It's important to remember that the backbone for them is Made in KC. We take our coffee program that is nearly 100% local (from coffees to pastries and syrups) and build off that to create these other concepts. All that to say, whether it is ocean-themed, or mountain-themed, the heart of it is Kansas City.”

Ninety percent of every dollar spent at Made in KC stores and cafes stays and recirculates throughout the local economy, Keith says, compared to bigger national brands, where sometimes less than 50% of every dollar stays locally or even has a negative impact on the local economy. 

“Creating these micro economies between us, the artist, and the customer to keep more money in Kansas City ultimately helps everyone living and working in our region,” Keith says, adding that the business also contributes regularly to various nonprofits throughout the metro, most recently working with Children's Mercy Hospital and The Big Slick, and GIFT (Generating Income for Tomorrow) with their Give Black Campaign. 

For more info, contact: madeinkc.co or keith@madeinkc.co and visit Outta the Blue during these hours: 

  • Mon.–Thurs. (7 a.m.–10 p.m.)

  • Fri. (7 a.m.–11 p.m.)

  • Sat. (8 a.m.–11 p.m.) 

  • Sun. (8 a.m. –10 p.m.)

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