 How the mighty have fallen…
A young man who was in Kelly’s drinking late Saturday night was killed after leaving the Westport bar. The attendant media fallout has sparked a PR nightmare for the club and Westport in general. Just think, a handful of years back Kelly’s and Stanford and Sons were the twin peaks of the Kansas City bar world. There’s no argument that these two forces ruled a significant portion of the nightlife scene in KC – two busy bars right next to each other. The anchors of Westport for the better part three decades, between them they did $6 million a year in biz. No more. For Stanford’s, its 30-year run ended in early 2004. Stanford’s left Westport and moved to The Legends as a comedy-only operation. Not a nightclub or a restaurant as it had been in the past.  54 Responses to Glazer: More Bad News for Kelly’s & Westport |
kidcongo
If the injury descriptions are accurate, my guess is it was a hit and run in a car; even though we’ll get 1,000 posts about “thugs” cause thats what people think they’re supposed to do.
Eric
Haven’t been to Westport to barhop in probably a decade or more. I still hit the Westport Flea Market to pound burgers on my lunch break. I’m sorry to have to inform you Craig, but no amount of special promotions is going to bring Westport back from the dead. It’s time has passed. Power and Light is where people are going these days. And if not Power and Light, I know I just stay up north and hit some of the bars/restaraunts at Zona Rosa. Especially with the Improv opening back up. Westport is as dead as Julius Caeser, and will remain that way.
Chuck
The Foundation?
@Eric
You haven’t been to Westport at night for over a decade and you can declare it dead? How would you have any idea if it’s dead or not if you’re not there? It’s always packed when I go.
hearne
Just spoke with Kansas City Police and at this stage they are awaiting a final determination on the young man’s death. Police now say there are three possible causes of death, none of which are conclusive at this time. They believe he was either assaulted, hit by a car or fell and hit his head.
kidcongo
Agree with Chuck; Westport gets an undeserved bad rap on this blog. I guess they’re hoping we miss Stanfords.
jojo
the downfall of westport will not only be
the power and light district. It will be that
the big bucks of johnson county ain’t going
there. More bars and restauarant are scheduled
to open throughout joco and the big money is
staying out south. The cheap drunks like those
$3 beers.
Watch for a big news splash that a huge
entertainment district will be opening in
joco. It will make the power and light look
like a small ant….anticipating over
50 restaurants/bars/entertainment outlets/
comedy club/ scehdule to break ground in
early spring of 2011. It will kill all those
toehr areas…..and it will be funded with
private money from a new source wanting to
break into the joco market.
will also feature a major hotel project
and center that can hold 7000 people for
events…will rival the sprint center in
beauty and the independence arena in
size…but it will be a huge focus of major
eveelopement going into 2013 in joco.
jojo
hearne….you don’t know shit. thats the
same report that was in the paper this
morning. your supposed contacts have dried
up…go back to stories about burgers and
star layoffs…thats your specialty.
___________
HC: Clue in, jojo. There was nothing in the Star story about assault, hit and run or falling and hitting his head. I got that straight from the police late this afternoon following the comment by one poster that it was likely a hit and run.
chuck
That chuck ain’t me.
Sandra Bullock
That’s “The Foundry”, dumbass.
chuck
Furthermore, something ain’t quite right in Denmark on this killing.
This kid was pretty well known, and, the truth of his death will come out.
I would imagine the last place you could go for actual real time information on what this crime, most probably is, would be the police dept. (At this stage.) or the KC Star.
No one at the Star will want to creep out of politically correct shadows they live in every day.
I wonder how this will play out in the ceasless horshit narrative we are force fed every day.
_________________
HC: You may be right Chuck – whichever Chuck you are – but you have to start somewhere. And that the police were exploring three possibilities was the first reporting on this that I’ve seen. certainly the Star story today didn’t mention them.
caroline
1. The young man who died this weekend has a name, Brian Euston. You should use it.
2. Euston wasn’t found outside Kelly’s, he was drinking there. He was found on Mill Street, not “outside” of Kelly’s as you implied. If he was outside of any bar, it was America’s Pub.
3. The bar next to McCoys is called The Foundry, not The Foundation.
______________
HC: Correction, caroline. Police say he was found up the block just north of Kelly’s between Kelly’s and the Beaumont Club. Nowhere near America’s Pub, which is largely a black venue. So let’s not point any racial fingers just yet. Not based upon incorrect geography, anyway.
bschloz
“50 restaurants/bars/entertainment outlets/
comedy club/ scehdule to break ground in
early spring of 2011. It will kill all those
toehr areas
jojo
received email….don’t know if its the same
one…got it at 6:11pm wednesday…
man killed in westport was beaten by 4 blacks
with baseball bats…the victims uncle is a
police officer….victims mom owns euston
hardware in p.v….can someone please
verify this information…..beating apparently
was one of the most viscious ever witnessed
by police officers on tape….
can someone please verify this?
MediaJunky
It’s a shame…really…but times change and through really no fault of their own the local Westport bar owners are toast. It’s not a “mainstream” area anymore. Women are stared down and harassed and not a lot of affluent post college guys want to duke it out down there. There’s an urban element that takes pleasure in tipping over areas like this. It’s happened in many cities an there’ll be no ending it here.
chuck
I can’t verify anything first person, I know a few folks who are aquanted, etc…, but, if this is what it sounds like so far…
jojo
hearne read the papers/online versions.
again you are wrong…you are old news…
my news in my comment is more correct and
current than the crap you pass off as
Inside news.
stick to hamburger stories and playing up
your advertisers and writing about old old
old stories and people……..
_____________
Aye-aye, sir! And let me get this straight; you think someone could have been beaten badly with a bat and it might look to police that me merely could have fallen and hit his head?
talking tom
I did hear that the young man was beaten. What a shame, regardless of where it happened. As for Westport, its long gone. Where was the so-called men on patrol? Probably at Kelly’s trying to buddy up to Red and get free beers for life. Sorry to hear about the young man, I often go to the family hardware store. Very sad, it could happen to anyone..
Rainbow Man
Craig- I met my wife at Stanford’s in 1992. Back then, it was great down there. Sure Kelly’s was fun too, but Stanford’s was a little cozier, and had more of a bar feel. Kelly’s was kind of a “line up at the trough and drink out of a plastic cup while standing all night” type of place.
What killed Westport was the emergence of those giant 600 person capacity dance clubs, that evolved into hip hop clubs.
Then came the 75th Street Brewery and Tanner’s in Waldo. The Westport clientele that liked to party, but had a job to get to the next day, was not interested in watching their date get harassed on Penn. They started hitting Waldo and Brookside.
Then the proliferation of brew pubs and sports bars all over the burbs sealed the deal for Westport.
It was a good ride. But Westport has become very dangerous.
Harold Smith
Westport started going downhill about 15 years ago, today it is totally irrelevant. Thank the greedy saloon owners and landlords. Also, DUI checkpoints make it much safer to drink closer to home.
The only reason to go to Westport is Murray’s Ice Cream.
chuck
At this point, you will probably need theme oriented promotions in Westport, coupled with a sale price on goods and services rendered. to garner more business.
I am thinking, medals. Something tangible, that proves valor and mettle (Or insanity.)
A commemeration of the dead, in conjunction with the recognition that you braved the insults, intimidation and beatings from “Oppressed Youths” who now populate the streets in Westport.
Maybe picture of a murder victim on one side, and a, “Don’t tread on…., er, no, how about “Please don’t shoot me or grab my girlfriend’s ass.” on the other side.
Coupons would be…., no, maybe, yeah, like in WWII, the Flying Tigers had “Blood Chits” that would get them out of danger when they were shot down. Yeah, a Westport “Chit” that if you were cut off from the herd, you could give it to a designated gang leader, or an “Oppressed Youth” and find your way to a well lit area.
The chit could be, oh, I don’t know, a “FUBU” label off of some “Oppressed Youth” clothing.
Gonna have to be creative, and fast, real fast.
jojo
I’ve shopped at eustons for a long time…
something fishy is going on….the funeral
isk friday….the police know more than the
are letting out.
Hearne check your sources (if you really have
any) or is your column justv rip and read
except for columns about 90 year old female
singers “exclusive” dates at jardines…or
your gleeing stories about peoples hardships
and loss of jobs…or your award winning
articles about how many hamburgers were sold in
one day at some overpriced slop joint…
i see why the star finally cut you loose..
but please check those “sources you have”
in high places (not taking your columns from
old kc star articles…
chuck
I wouldn’t think it is Herne’s fault he doesn’t have more info.
If what is being said is true, than the powers that be, in this city, want, need and are desperate for this to ‘go away’.
Prying info out of the police during what may be an ongoing murder investigation, or the KC Star, who is reticent to mention ANY details in a scenario such as this one, would be tough sledding for Woodward and Bernstein.
My Rockhurst connections are checking into this, and right now, don’t have anything to give me that is more than rumor.
But, I am not that close.
kitty krash
I shop at that hardware store and they are terrific. Very sad the son was killed.
Thursday Girl
How do you know Westport is dead when you don’t even go there? How do know who visits what bar? I work in Westport and it is far from dead. I was there Tuesday night, it was a nice evening and there were lots of people out. Why be so negative about a historic district? Yes, Westport has had its problems, but I would rather go there than P&L, Plaza or any strip mall chain bar or restaurant.
kidcongo
Sorry guys; I don’t get it. Never had one problem in Westport for 10 years. An unprovoked attack at closing time with those kinda injuries that no one saw? Sorry; I just don’t buy it. I still say despite who has the latest “email forward,” given the location cited and the injuries that it was a hit and run in a vehicle. It’s just that no one knows for sure right now.
KellysGuy
Guess Westport needs you and Nigro to come back and FIX THINGS. I like things the way they are. Westport is still fun most nights. Sure not as busy as the past crazy days, but nobody else is either.
MGarr
I think Glazer’s most interesting comment in this piece is the amount of money Kellys and Stanfords used to do between them. Now that is long over. However the money is still out there cause McCoys does well, so it can be done. Don’t write off Westport just yet.
Dino
Never was a Kellys fan, but sorry to hear of their troubles. Sorry to the young man’s family what a tragic event. Hope they find out who did it.
Rockyroad
See guys I disagree here. I think Westport is on the way back to being decent. Less crime, McCoys,the new beer joint, Nigros bar, the Trolly, so on. When I go down there on weekends nights its pretty busy. But I’m younger then you old farts so I go out. Glazer pointed out last month that Westport was on an upswing and I agree.
I think its just Kellys,Karma and Americas Pub, that are past it, maybe they need to go?
DowntownDavy
Rockyroad you are on the money my friend. Westport is ok, just Kellys and the other losers you mentioned are past it. Kellys needs to rebuild or refix their spot, or else they will continue to die. Its sad but true.
Maureen
Kellys? Who cares? Might help if they had a good looking manager or someone up front who was kinda cool, instead of all those old buzzards who work there behind the smelly bar. Christ, its an old folks home now. Come out south and see the young pretty people, like me!
smartman
Go to credit cards only for all transactions in Westport after 7:00 PM. Check Photo I’d with all charges.
TRANSLATION
Dat dey sov all da problemz wif duh wey, ya no wah I sayin’ yo. Aight? Dem thugs aintz gotz credificated onlee missah green from dey weedin’ crackin’ pimpin’ tintin’ ho’in and rimmin’ Aight. Tru Dat!
gomer johnson
hey craig, what about the drive by shooting that hit Sanford and Sons? did you forget about that one? wanker.
d
——-
HC: Correction, caroline. Police say he was found up the block just north of Kelly
Other Chuck
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that everyone who is saying that Westport is dead is over 35 and haven’t been there on a weekend night in years (pretty easy to figure out by the way everyone is reminiscing about the old days). Guess what? Westport isn’t for you anymore. It’s for people in their twenties. You went in your twenties and people in their twenties still go. Of course, you and your friends don’t go to Westport and instead hang out in brewpubs in the burbs, YOU’RE IN YOUR THIRTIES AND HAVE KIDS.
Yes, P&L took some of the crowd away from Westport so it’s not always crazy packed but it’s still doing pretty damn good (How would Harry’s, Kelly’s, McCoy’s, The Foundry, The Beaumont Club, America’s Pub, Harpo’s, Firefly Lounge, Dark Horse, Riot Room, Buzzard Beach, etc all still be open if the place was dead?).
___________________
HC: Thank god, we’ve finally gotten our Chucks straight
kidcongo
HC; do you have a link to that? Every legit news site is saying he was found at the intersection of Mill Creek and Westport Rd. That’s quite a big difference and your post is the only claim of that I can find.
_________
HC: It was a direct quote from KCPD spokesman dude. You want a link to a telephone conversation?
chuck
thanks, other Chuck!
Styx Zidinia
I think the kid was a victim of “Polar Bear Hunting”:
http://urbangrounds.com/2010/09/the-new-urban-sport-polar-bear-hunting/
Schlmo
Kellys is still a great Kansas City Institution run by a local family. It will be there long after all hassels and incidents in Westport. Kansas City needs to support this local establishment.
jweinberg
Schlmo I agree we need to support our local night spots, but Kellys does need some changes to survive. They are not even top three in Westport anymore let alone in KC, so thier future is not bright if they don’t upgrade.
Candace
To all who think they know it ALL. All venues run their couse. Westport is one that has come and gone. There is alway a new kid on the block. To those who say JOCO is soon to open a new HOT SPOT….whatever!!!!! With today’s economy even Warren Buffet would shy away from such an investment!!!! Westport to those who live close to it is a rather charming area, but is in no way the same Westport in it’s hey day. Whether or not Stanford and Son’s has left the area. I am sure Kelly’s like any other small business owner has been hurting. To say that Westport is the same HOT SPOT as in years past is just STUPID!!!!!! Way too many other areas to explore! With todays tough DWI check points most young people & the older crowd don’t want to venture too far from home…. I am saddened by the recent death (cause yet to be determined) in Westport, but I do hope that those who are responsible get the complete WRATH OF THE LAW!!!!!!!
My heart and prayers go out to the family of Brian Euston….yes he does have a name. I know that there is someone out there that saw what happened!!!!!! Do the RIGHT thing and call!!!!!! KARMA!!!!!!!! Make the call and do the right thing!!!!
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