From the Press

Jackie Warren, an owner and art director of ARTichokes, said the gallery is an ideal addition to Mission Farms' shops because the Leawood area lacks in art accessibility.  "I think this area just north of I-435 is really lacking in art space, whether you have kids who want to take classes or people who want to buy artwork of all types, so we're opening a resource for that," she said.

ARTichokes is designed as a yearlong art fair, Warren said, and combines both gallery space and an education space that will host classes on various topics, including landscape design, songwriting and performance art. 

The gallery space accommodates 12 artists at a time, and displays will refresh every three months. That way, Warren said, visitors are continually viewing work that's fresh and varied.

"We don't want it to be a stuffy place," she said. "We want there to be something going on all the time, where people feel like they can just walk in. And because we have a whole bank of windows, they can look in, see everything that's going on and come on in, if they want."

In addition to classes and gallery shows, ARTichokes will also host regular art talks on Thursdays, led by artists and art professionals from the Kansas City area. Topics will range from the benefits of collecting original art to various artistic techniques. A complete schedule of classes and related events is available at www.ArtichokesKC.com.

"We think people are hungry for education, and want to find out more about what they love and be exposed to something other than the usual with which they've played it safe," Warren said.

Designed as a mixed-use community, Mission Farms will encompass retail, residential and office space. Weltner said Mission Farms East will feature 115,000 square feet dedicated to retail businesses, giving residents and visitors walkable access to a variety of stores and eateries.

Chefs Ted Habiger and Andrew Sloan were also drawn to the Leawood development, and are opening a second location of Room 39, a restaurant that offers a frequently changing menu of what Kansas City Star food critic Lauren Chapin called "sophisticated, flavorful dishes".

Robert Boudreaux opened the original Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood in St. Joseph, and is now bringing his Louisiana-style menu to the metropolitan area.

The culinary tour continues at Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings scheduled to open in May.   Like Habiger, Sloan and Boudreaux, Scott Chang seized the opportunity to open a second location, the first of which is currently located amid 39th Street's restaurant haven.

"We are very excited because Leawood has a great history – a rich culture the embraces independent restaurants," said Chang, who has been living in the Kansas City area since 1982.  He and his family are from China and serve Blue Koi guests their family recipes consisting of northern and southern Chinese comfort food.

"We believe in our hearts that we can provide the cuisine, service and quality that Leawood will embrace," Chang said.

Although these businesses represent only a fraction of what will be available when Mission Farms is complete, Weltner said the diverse yet distinctly local tenants are already capturing the essence of the development --- what Weltner calls "a lifestyle center with a community atmosphere."

KATY RYAN - Kansas City Star, Special Sections Writer