Kansas City Blog

When Larry Gilbert and his partner Brian Heinen opened Out There Cards at 205 Westport Road (in the space formerly occupied by Gilbert's Larry's Cards in the 1990s), they filled every nook and cranny with greeting cards -- including some hilariously vulgar ones -- and candles, gifts, magazines, assorted sexual paraphenalia, holiday decorations and every other imaginable knick-knack and gee-gaw.

Beginning Friday, March 6, Out There will also feature its very own coffee shop. Gilbert and Heinen expanded their retail space into the rear of the building and added a fully-stocked coffee bar that will sell espresso, latte, cappuccino, frozen yogurt, assorted dessert confections and soda pop. "We plan to eventually add sandwiches too," said Gilbert.

With the current economy putting the pinch on retail business, Gilbert and Heinen felt the timing was right for a combination coffee shop-yogurt stand-meeting facility. There are a half dozen tables and chairs and a long counter for customers who need a GLBT-friendly ambiance after a hard day at work.

"With the Planet Cafe closed," said Heinen, "and the Broadway Roasterie re-located to a different location, the timing seemed perfect for adding this component to our business."

The coffee shop will be open the same hours as the card-and-gift shop, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Sunday.