Austin Mosier and Tristan Carlson have always been driven by creativity. The pair brought the West Bottoms Plant Company to Kansas City and expanded into a historic post office space last year with the 12th Street Post, creating a multipurpose community filled with the work of local artists and vendors. The pair is now opening an inclusive cafe dedicated to crafting and exploration. The ADHDIY Craft Cafe‘s grand opening is February 2.
There is an unavoidably collaborative atmosphere inside the 12th Street Post, and the new cafe brings the same feeling. Located at the back of the space, it’s a true community gathering spot. Instead of sitting down to order dinner, visitors to the cafe can order from a number of DIY craft kits filled with the necessary tools, materials, and an instruction card with visual references. There are two craft menus, the plant-based menu which includes projects such as terrariums and dry bouquets, and Cal’s Crafts, a selection including macarame, candle pouring, and stamp carving—all the favorites of the spot’s mascot, Cal, the Craftin’ Cowboy of the West Bottoms.
While the ADHDIY Craft Cafe is understandably focused on crafts, they serve a large selection of Big Heart Tea and allow outside drinks as well. It’s a new and refreshing option for people who would rather catch up over crotchet than cocktails. The official grand opening is on February 1, but the cafe has been trying out different classes in the past few weeks. Its first ticketed craft night featured a screening of Mean Girls while making a “burn book” collage in honor of the new musical movie release. They even added a special drink, the Glen CoCo (with pink marshmallows).
Mosier and Carlson, who started The Craft Daddies years ago, are carving spaces to celebrate creativity and artistic expression in a vital new way, by both bringing attention to our local artisans and allowing Kansas Citians to discover the artists within themselves.