KSHB 41 Reporter Caroline Hogan covers development throughout the Kansas City area. Share your story ideas with Caroline.
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Due to increased rents and overall economic uncertainty, Terry Sanchez, owner of the bone fort items of the strange thing, said he was closing the store and moving his business entirely online.
Retail trend analyst CoreSight estimates that 15,000 companies across the country will close brick and mortar stores compared to last year.
Sanchez has been buying and selling bone sule items for 50 years and has been in the West Bottoms space for just over eight years. Unfortunately, the retail industry has changed.
“We had 100 people on Saturday and 100 people on Sunday at retail,” Sanchez said. “Maybe 20 now? I mean, there's not much walk-in traffic anymore.”
Part of West Bottoms is currently under construction, with the goal of adding a loft and Rock Island Bridge to bring in more people.
Sanchez said it was too little, too late.
“It takes 10 years to develop,” Sanchez said. “I'm 70. I'd die before I'd be trendy and cool, and anyone can make money. And the only person who makes money is the one who owns the property.”
The antique enjoyment of Beverly Knoll, a customer of the strange thing, is seeing the object directly.
“Find treasures that no one else thinks are treasures,” Nord said.
She goes to many yard sales and recycling markets, but hearing that this store is closing makes her worry.
“I think that's sad,” Nohl said. “But you know, it's happening everywhere.”
Wired's bone-quick deadline was pushed back a few months later.
Sanchez said he would sell most of what's available now and would like to move online in the next five to six months.
He doesn't seem to be able to give up his passion.
“I don't want to. I like talking to people,” Sanchez said. “And that's probably why I'm still kicking at 70 because I enjoy my job.”
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