McLain’s Market
McLain’s Market is a locally renowned bakery located at 1720 Swift St. in North Kansas City. Known for its fresh baked goods and dedicated customer base, the bakery operates daily to serve the community’s needs. Over the years, McLain’s Market has become a popular destination for residents seeking quality baked items and a welcoming environment. Its growth has contributed to increased foot traffic in the Swift Street area, highlighting the importance of effective parking solutions to accommodate its loyal patrons. The bakery’s commitment to quality and community engagement has made it a staple in the local area, inspiring city initiatives to support its continued success.
News Summary
The North Kansas City Council has approved an extension of the 15-minute parking ordinance outside McLain’s Market along Swift Street. This decision aims to ease parking challenges for bakery customers, particularly on weekends. The ordinance will allow short-term parking from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. While the decision was passed with a 7-1 vote, some council members raised concerns about the necessity of the ordinance and potential requests for preferential treatment from other businesses. A future citywide parking study is planned to address ongoing parking issues.
North Kansas City Council Approves Expansion of 15-Minute Parking Ordinance for Bakery
The North Kansas City Council has voted to expand the 15-minute parking ordinance along Swift Street outside McLain’s Market, a move aimed at alleviating parking challenges for customers and business owners in the area. This new ordinance, which allows for short-term parking near the bakery during its peak hours, will be in effect seven days a week from Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The decision passed with a vote of 7-1, with Councilmember Anthony Sager from Ward 1 opposing the extension. Notably, Mayor Jesse Smith was absent during the voting.
Details of the Ordinance
The ordinance seeks to address mounting complaints from McLain’s Market patrons about the misuse of parking spaces, especially on weekends. Co-owner Mollie Lothman brought this issue to the City Council’s attention, citing concerns that customers and employees have been facing difficulties in accessing the bakery due to long-term parking issues. Weekend visitors would often park their vehicles outside McLain’s Market late on Friday evenings and leave them unattended until Monday morning, which significantly hindered those coming to pick up large orders.
Opposition and Concerns
In his opposition, Sager argued that he did not believe significant parking problems existed and suggested that the ordinance was unnecessary. He highlighted that there is ample parking available on Saturdays, observing that patrons may need to walk a short distance to reach the bakery, which he deemed acceptable.
Additionally, Councilmember Kristen Click raised concerns regarding the possibility of preferential treatment requests from other businesses as a result of this new ordinance. Such requests could create a complicated dynamic as other establishments may also seek similar parking privileges.
Future Parking Studies
In response to the ongoing parking concerns citywide, the North Kansas City Council announced plans to conduct a comprehensive parking study. This study aims to gather data and perspectives on parking issues throughout the city, intending to develop solutions that cater to residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Context
McLain’s Market, located at 1720 Swift St., operates every day of the week and serves as a popular local bakery. The establishment has garnered a loyal following due to its offerings, contributing to increased foot traffic around the Swift Street area. However, the influx of customers has also highlighted parking difficulties, particularly on weekends when many patrons visit.
As the city evolves and businesses grow, addressing the challenges associated with increased demand for parking remains critical. The newly passed ordinance is a step taken by the North Kansas City Council to better accommodate the needs of local businesses and their customers.
This development marks an ongoing effort to balance the needs of the local economy with efficient public parking management, ensuring that constituents can access the amenities their community has to offer.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Poll Indicates Strong Support for Local Control of Police in Missouri
Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star: Article on Local News
- Wikipedia: Parking
- FOX4KC: Woman Found Dead Near Hospital
- Google Search: Parking Issues Kansas City
- KCTV5: Local Events Guide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government
- JEMS: EMS Operations Report
- Google News: North Kansas City Parking Ordinance
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
