Combination bookstore, bar and coffee shop coming to Johnson County. ‘It’s a fun idea’
Matthew and Kimberly Hoppock think Mission could use a new community space.
They opened gift shop Truly Madly Depot at 5727 Johnson Drive about a year ago and have met plenty of customers who would “vibe” with each other, as Matthew put it.
So when Paulie D’s Pizza (5735 Johnson Drive) closed in the same strip as their shop, they decided to swoop in and start something new.
They both like reading, coffee and a good cocktail — they thought: Why not create something that combines all three?
Their new concept, The Book Club, will sell booze, books and brews in the downtown Mission space. The couple is unclear on an opening date, perhaps in May.
“We think it’s a fun idea,” Matthew said. “We think people are gonna like it.”
The Hoppocks are still playing with an exact menu. Matthew has experience as a baker and barista and is passionate about coffee and pastries. (He said he makes great cookies, croissants and cinnamon rolls.)
They’ll also likely have some light lunch options and finger foods.
Kimberly hopes it will become a popular hangout spot in Mission, especially with the city growing as rapidly as it has been. The Lanes at Mission Bowl recently opened at 5399 Martway St., and several more residential projects are on the way.
“There’s so many people that, they want these spaces,” she said. “They want spaces for the community, they want places you can meet somebody or go and have a chat with someone … That’s what we keep hearing from people again and again.”
With a limited space — they aren’t sure of the exact square-footage, but it’ll fit about 30 people — they have to be choosy with what books they carry. They’ll likely offer a selection of modern fiction, some bestsellers, children’s and self-help books.
They plan to serve alcohol all day. For now, they’re thinking the hours will be 6 or 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., but they aren’t settled on that yet.
A speakeasy disguised as a convenience store, called Common Tiger, opened in downtown Mission a few months ago at 5616 Johnson Drive.
The Crossroads in Kansas City also has a bookstore, coffee shop and bar called Afterword Tavern & Shelves. It opened in 2018.