Posted by John Gillis
Oct. 31, 2024
 
President Tim Tholen called the meeting to order, provided us with our Invocation with a history of Halloween and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Club AnniversariesYong Kim -  40 yrs Oct 25; Terry Harvey – 3 yrs Oct 25;  Guy Martin – 29 yrs Oct 26; Peter Ho - 24 yrs Nov 2
  
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This week’s Greeters were the Club’s Board Members.
Tom Davis, in his role as immediate past president, announced the slate for election of officers:
President Elect Nominee/Secretary/Treasurer:  Kristy Bayer
Election coming up November 21st to December 19th:    Three out of the six nominees:
Eric Burger    Patrick Donnelly,       Wade Freeman,        
Nick Pryor     Charlie Huffman       Pete Sotta
 
Project C.U.R.E.  – please up for the November 19th packing project.  Flyers were on the tables.
 
Bell Ringing for Salvation Army: THREE DATES Nov 23 (already full – move on); Dec 7th  (many spots open): Dec 14th   (a few spots left)
 
Holiday Party:  Mark your calendar:  Dec 10th at 6 pm at Grand Street Café on the Plaza, Dinner & Dancing!   $75 per person
 
THANK YOU to everyone who cam out to Minsky’s last week. We raised $930 for World Polio Day!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS: BRING A GUEST !
Nov 9th  District Foundation Dinner
Nov 19th  Project C.U.R.E. -service event  (more details to come)
Dec 10th  Holiday Party at Grand Street Café (Country Club Plaza)
 
UPCOMING MEETINGS:  Bring a Guest:
Nov 7th Nichole  Robinson, KC Sports Commission
Nov 14th  Rear Admiral Larry Watkins – US Navy
Nov 21st Steve Parscale – Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
Nov 28th NO  MEETING – Thanksgiving
 
PRESENTATIONChristy Chester introduced Tim Caniglia. Christy’s introduction was personal as she and Tim’s mother are long time close friends.  Christy reminded us that the Grand Faloon has hosted several events for us and has been a financial supporter of Rotary and the Camp. Tim’s presentation “The Future of the Country Club Plaza” was from the perspective  of a Plaza long time (30 year) restaurateur.
 
After graduating from University of Nebraska with a degree in Human Resources. Tim’s career path began in Human Resources with a second job as a bar tender to make ends meet. Tim realized that he was making more money as a bar tender than in his Human Resources Department job.  So Tim decided on a career change, seeking to buy a bar. 
 
Tim bought the Granfaloon (G.F.) from the owner/operator, whom he worked for as a bar tender. With the help of family and friends he raised the money and took out a $200,000 loan. So, 1994 was a big year: bought the bar, got married and bought a house.  His ex-wife is still a partner with him at the G.F..  Tim has owned the Granfaloon for thirty (30) years and with four (4) different landlords, starting with the JC Nichols Company.  Each landlord had its plus’s and minus’s.
 
In 1996, Highwood Properties bought the Plaza and did a great job with their new asset.  Initially Highwoods Properties (second landlord) was not enamored with the G.F., but Tim still had seven (7) years on his J.C. Nichols lease.  At that time, the G.F. was more of dive bar and Highwood Properties wanted a more upscale sports bar.  Later in 2000, the G.F. moved around the corner to its current location, becoming an upscale sports bar.  In 2010, Tim remodeled the G.F. and hired a chef.
 
In 2016,  Tim got a new landlord, his 3rd, the Macerich Company (California) & Taubman Center (Michigan).  Their downfall was that they paid too much for the Plaza ($616 Million) and eventually defaulted on their acquisition debt. 
 
In 2020, COVID hit on March 16th, shutting down nearly all activity for two months. The G.F. reopened but was hurt by the State Line division. Missouri required restaurant/bars to close by 9 pm, while Kansas allowed operations until midnight!   The G.F. started serving breakfast daily. Today (2024) breakfast is served only on Saturdays and Sundays. The G.F. is considering adding an event space.  And Tim still has seven (7) years left on his lease.
 
Now in 2024, the new (4th) landlord, HP Village Management has started off well.  HP is painting buildings and fixing roofs.  It’s a struggle to get store fronts back (Amazon & online merchandising have hurt).  HP wants more local restaurants, which is tough with high rents. The Plaza now has to also compete with the local 115th and 135th Street OPKS corridors. To address the local competition, HP has to determine how to make the Plaza experience special enough and secure/safe enough (including changing the perception) again to bring those customers back.  To that end, HP is very focused on SECURITY.  As an example, HP has changed several parking lots entrances & exits from multiple to single points.  This is a good strategy to improve security and reduce crime.  For increased tenant communication & interaction, HP has been reaching out to the Plaza merchants and restaurants on nearly a weekly basis for feedback. 
 
MORE H.P. Plans on the Plaza:  H.P. plans on creating east and west areas with more open space in between, along with some interior streets closure.  HP is spending their own money and not the City’s or the tenants.  This Owner (H.P.) is ready and understands the wants of our market (not N.Y. or Dallas, but KC).  Give it three years and there will be major changes and improvements.
 
VARIOUS  QUESTONS / TOPICS:
  1. THE Nordstrom space – open question.  There is some discussion of bringing a Trader Joe’s to somewhere on the Plaza.
  2. Bristol Restaurant returning?  There is some rumor to that effect.
  3. Crime Prevention?  HP met with the Police and the City in advance of the purchase.  HP was not going to purchase Plaza, if the Police and the City weren’t on board to clean up the crime problem.  SIDE NOTE:  We need a Prosecutor who will prosecute offenders, including minors.  Currently the offending minors know that they won’t be prosecuted (catch & release).   If Tim’s G.F. has been on the east side where the Cheesecake Factory is located, he would not have renewed his lease.
  4. The City wants more residential space on the Plaza (greater density), which could tie in with the Nordstrom space.  There is talk of replacing the Plaza tennis courts (prime location) with a residential building with retail/commercial on the first or lower floors.
  5. Houston’s and Jaxx’s Restaurants?  The Jaxx space already has a replacement upscale Mexican restaurant.  As to Houston’s, that space is configured for a restaurant, but there was trouble the roof and plumbing. 
  6. Question:  Will a movie theater return to the Plaza ?  NO, it attracts the wrong crowd with increased crime and vandalism.
UNEXPECTED: BIG NEWS/GOOD NEWS: Tim declared his intention to join Rotary.
 
Today’s Quote: Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen.  Voices whisper in the trees, “Tonight is Halloween!”   Dexter Kozen        
 
Tim Tholen wrapped up the meeting with the Four Way Test.                      
 
JOHN GILLIS
 
[as an ongoing scrivener’s note: our local Club 13 Rotary organization is comprised of at least three interrelated groups (like a three-legged stool), each with its own separate board, officers & primary focus.  KCRClub 13 comprised of various committees and weekly luncheon meetings with speakers;  KCRCFoundation  primarily focused on financially supporting the Club 13’s Rotary Youth Camp; and the Rotary Youth Camp*, near Lake Jocomo, at 22310 NE Colbern Road, in Lee’s Summit, MO 64086] (* Rotary’s  oldest continuous ongoing project in the world!)
 
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