The Black Pantry (TBP), a Kansas City-based business championing Black-owned enterprises, has added a second location.

Brian Roberts, the founder, recently launched the second location of this inclusive “premium brand shop,” dedicated to supporting Black makers, creators, and artists across the nation. The venture aims to broaden exposure within the Black community and people of all backgrounds.

“We’ve become a trusted space where it feels like home. The art on the walls looks like me, the books on the tables look like me, and the people who work here look like me. So now I have a sense of home, even outside of my home,” Roberts told Startland News.

The business model gained popularity through pop-up shops, the TBP website, and its first location within Made in KC’s midtown store, showcasing various retail products from local community members.

The expansion is not merely about physical space; it’s about creating a resonant atmosphere. Roberts said it is a retail corner filled with businesses offering home goods and self-care services. There’s also a coffee shop, a wine bar, and an outdoor patio for various activities.

“I still want it to be fun,” he said.”

The success of The Black Pantry’s budding business hub relies on local partnerships. The new location on Troost Avenue has already secured collaborations with Black-owned brands like The Prospect KC, Mattie’s Foods, Vine Street Brewing, Rally Gin, and Kin Seltzer.

“I want to encourage businesses to take the next step. I know it’s scary, so here’s a progressive in-between step so they have their own sense of ownership,” he said.

Spanning an entire block, the new location aims to be a recognized hub for entrepreneurs of colour. Roberts is hoping to motivate more Black entrepreneurs to scale and elevate their businesses, fostering self-investment and community growth.

“The challenge I have with this is getting the city to understand how big of a deal this could be,” Roberts told Startland News. “Because my thought is not just one space, my thought is to scale out multiple spaces. So economically, as I scale, all the entrepreneurs scale at the same time.”

Looking ahead, Roberts has ambitious plans, including acquiring more commercial real estate to inspire the youth, emphasizing that the sky is the limit. He said he wants more Black Americans to feel seen and enlightened by having safe spaces that authentically reflect their culture.

“It’s cool that they get to see these stores coming from people that are from our blocks,” he said.