First Fridays return to Kansas City

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For Kansas City business owners, the first Friday of every month has always been a day to look forward to. “It makes my heart feel good, it makes me come back,” said Leanna Holdgraf, owner of Serendipity. But the pandemic forced the Friday of music, art and shopping to be scaled back. “A lot of our stores were closed and we had to really scramble and figure out how that was gonna work,” said Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, president of The Historic West Bottoms Business District Association. Now months later into the pandemic, places have reopened and customers are returning.”It was wonderful today to see sunshine and people,” Arnett-Bequeaith said.”People are coming in slowly. People are getting vaccinations, they’re starting to feel like we’re gonna be OK,” said Holdgraf. Since they’ve opened shops and restaurants in the West Bottoms have been following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and asking customers to wear masks when inside.”We’re so blessed that these stores have been able to stay open, and that’s just a great gratitude to the people of Kansas City,” said Arnett-Bequeaith. Looking ahead they’re hoping to expand the Friday tradition even more.”As we come out of the pandemic and are able to do more, that will continue to see the local support and growth,” said Arnett-Bequeaith. The Crossroads Art District and the Historic 18th and Vine District are also having First Friday events.