Kemet Coleman tried opening up a brewery multiple times in the past, but his plans fell through every time. This time, he’s partnered with homebrewers Woodie Bonds Jr. and Elliott Ivory and everything fit together perfectly to make it happen.
Teaming up with the right craft beer experts like Bonds Jr. and Ivory is what Coleman said made this attempt more successful than the rest.
“Those other attempts felt like I was pulling this along,” Coleman said. “With this attempt, it feels like it’s pushing me along. Once I had that energy pushing me along, I definitely had the confidence to keep going.”
Strengthening the Jazz District
Coleman, Bonds Jr. and Ivory are opening up Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery, Vine Street Brewing, in the internationally renowned Historic Jazz District early next year. They predict a grand opening in January or February.
The exact location of the brewery will be revealed in the next few weeks, but Coleman disclosed that it will be located in one of the historic buildings in the area.
It was important for Coleman to put the brewery in the Jazz District to help strengthen the area and set a standard for future developers.
Community members living in the Jazz District have expressed concern in the past that new developers coming in would gentrify the area and push out local Black-owned businesses.
“We’re starting jobs, we’re bringing in capital and we want capital to stay in this neighborhood,” he said. “If private outside dollars are coming in, this is the way to do it.”
Inside Vine Street Brewing
For the last three years, Bonds Jr. has put on the craft beer summer festival Hip Hops Hooray in Lee’s Summit, highlighting local commercial brewers and homebrewers. Many of the beers showcased at the festival are hip hop themed.
Bonds Jr. is also known for creating unique beers, like his “Snakes in the Wheat” beer inspired after the hops flavor in the beer called Medusa.
Ivory, who has more classic and consistent styles of beer flavors, co-owns a homebrewing company called Wiz Brewing.
The two are charged with crafting the formulas and flavors of the beers.
Coleman has experience working in guest relations at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, which he will use to make Vine Street Brewing an asset in the community.
“I learned a lot about how tap rooms can be set up in a way that makes people happy and makes them come back,” he said.
The brewery will have a tap room, beer garden and outdoor space for shows, performances and community events.
“This is my dream. This is my passion,” Bonds Jr. said in the trio’s announcement of the brewery. “I really get to get a lot of these crazy beer ideas that have been in my head for so long out. I get to further explore beer innovation.”
The trio hopes Vine Street Brewing becomes a place that feels like it’s part of the community already.
Part of Coleman’s dream is to decorate the brewery with historical artifacts from the district to give homage to the past and give a sense of place.
The trio hopes Vine Street Brewing becomes a place that feels like it’s part of the community already.
Part of Coleman’s dream is to decorate the brewery with historical artifacts from the district to give homage to the past and give a sense of place.
“We want to have a product that’s world class and that represents the Jazz District in its full glory,” he said. “We think we have an amazing opportunity with such a diamond in Kansas City that has not been polished.”