Early morning bakery coming to Kansas City aims to ‘honor’ these essential workers
Andrea Rainey, a nurse at Children’s Mercy, knows how difficult it is to find a pick-me-up before early morning shifts.
It’s partially why she’s opening Morning Rounds, an early-morning bakery that will be in Kansas City’s Crossroads.
That, and she’s always had a knack for baking.
“Baking was … always something that I could do that was relaxing and fun and brought smiles to people’s faces,” she said. “I have always wanted to open up a bakery, and I just felt like, now is the time.”
Morning Rounds hopes to open its 217 W. 19th Terrace spot in mid-May. She hopes to have her doors open around 5:30 a.m., but the exact time is still up in the air. They’ll stay open until around 3 p.m.
Some of the items on the menu: vanilla bean cake, cookies, croissants, chocolate pies and more.
She plans to serve drip coffee and cold brew at first. Eventually, she’ll have a full espresso bar. Rainey said she hasn’t quite figured out what coffee provider she’ll go with.
Her space will have 12 to 14 seats inside, with some outdoor seating as well. While Rainey loves the Crossroads district for its restaurants and First Fridays, she’s looking forward to being close (or on the way) to several hospitals, like Truman Medical Center and Children’s Mercy.
“My bakery will be kind of on the way off of I-35,” Rainey said. “Obviously excited to serve the whole community but definitely wanted to honor my health care history.”
She hopes to offer discounts to health care providers.
While it’s Rainey’s first business venture, she said she’s had several mentors in the Kansas City baking community who have given her advice and support. She’s been able to test several recipes on friends and family over the years.
“Kansas City is an awesome place for networking and community support, and I’m just really excited to be opening here.”