Kansas City's 811 Retail Reopens as a Hub for Diverse Small Business Ideas

The 811 Retail building at 811 E. 31st St. in Kansas City has reopened after upgrades, now home to nine small business ideas and entrepreneurial skills development hubs. Most of these are owned by BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, exceeding the project's original goals. Further renovations are underway to expand the space and support even more local businesses in the future.

The building has already become a hub for small business ideas and community events. A permanent sign was installed, and an outdoor commercial courtyard was enclosed, complete with ADA-compliant access, drainage, and a fire pit for gatherings. This space hosted dozens of events, including the launch of the Convos in the Yard podcast, which focuses on entrepreneurship and community discussions.

Entrepreneurs joining 811 Retail go through a structured onboarding process. This includes a business readiness assessment and integration into Growth360 programming. Those completing the 18-month cycle leave with refined operations, tested concepts, and stronger customer relationships. An exit process also collects feedback and tracks their progress after graduation.

Plans for 2026 include filling five open spots for product-based small business ideas ready for physical retail. These businesses must also commit to the building's educational programming. Meanwhile, the upstairs renovation continues, aiming to add more programming space and potentially form new partnerships.

The courtyard will remain active, hosting networking events and workshops throughout the year. Organisers have not disclosed which groups are involved in the second-floor renovation.

The reopened 811 Retail building now supports nine small business ideas, with more expected after renovations finish. The courtyard and expanded programming will keep providing resources for entrepreneurs and community events. Applications for the 2026 cohort are open, targeting small business ideas prepared for retail and ongoing education.