Downtown Kansas City coffee shop opens, looking to fill void left by another
Vested Coffee’s shutdown was a tough loss for many espresso-lovers in the Garment District.
Benicio Baeza, who owns newly opened Veil Cafe, is reminded of this fact every time he hears a neighbor remark how excited they are to have a coffee spot again. Vested closed in December 2023 at 310 W. Eighth St.
“I think it’s really cool to fill that space for them,” Baeza said, “because it’s been a while since they’ve had anything, so everyone wants something walkable.”
His new spot opened in the apartment-heavy area a few days ago at 800 Broadway Blvd., near where Vested Coffee used to be, serving matcha, coffee, pastries and more.
Baeza, who’s part-Mexican, wanted the space to mimic the cafes he’s visited in Mexico City and beyond. His father’s family were coffee growers before a coffee rust epidemic forced them to switch to oranges.
He cited Pera Cafe in Xalapa, Veracruz, as an inspiration. The trendy yet antique space features inventive drinks in addition to all the typical espresso options.
Asked what to order at Veil, Baeza said the ube matcha was especially popular.
To make the drink, he whisks the colorful purple ube powder and places it in a cup, then covers it with milk and a splash of matcha powder. The three colors stay separated, looking something like a purple-and-green Neapolitan ice cream.
He lets people mix their drinks on their own because they like the look of it. Some snap a picture for Instagram, he said. (Minutes later, a passerby pointed at the drink and inquired, “What’s that?”)
Pour over, chai, and hojicha (green tea) are also on the menu.
His coffee shop opened in the newly built Harvey Dutton Lofts. Underneath him is cocktail bar Something Good, which opened last summer 2025.
Baeza hopes both additions give the neighborhood plenty to do.
“It’s been really nice to be part of the community and start being part of activating that area,” he said.
For now, the spot is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Sometime in February, he hopes to expand its hours to be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Expect more events in the future.
“We’re gonna try to stay active and involved in the community as much as possible,” Baeza said.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 5:00 AM.