Oddly Correct Coffee, 4141 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri.
Rashad Alexander
The Kansas City Star
In the social media age, a viral restaurant review can make or break a small business. For one Kansas City coffee shop, a video tarnishing the establishment ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Last week, a TikTok video review was posted featuring two girls at Oddly Correct Coffee, 4141 Troost Ave. In the video, one girl said that it was “a little scary driving here” after mentioning it was on Troost. She also said that it “felt demonic” inside the shop, with the other girl adding that the store had “weird paintings all over the wall.”
“So, we will not be back,” said one of the girls in the now deleted video. The comments were heard by the Kansas City community, however.
Dozens of KC influencers and local businesses have come to the defense of not just Oddly Correct, but to the perception of Troost Avenue. Jackie Nguyen, the owner of Cafe Cà Phê, did her own review of Oddly Correct, while showcasing a line out the door filled with people wanting to support the business.
“Troost is an amazing street and Oddly is an amazing business,” she said. Her video also took time to highlight different Troost avenue businesses, including Tiki Taco, MOC BOD, Ruby Jean’s Juicery and others.
While the love was heavily received online, it also transferred immensely in real life.
‘An outpouring from local people’
Oddly Correct took to social media to announce that it would keep its kitchen open from 7 a.m. to noon for the week of Sept. 28 due to a substantial amount of “unexpected traffic,” as they are low on inventory. Multiple videos have shown customers lining up out the door, as wait times have also increased due to additional traffic.
While the reception to the café has been well-received, Oddly Correct co-owner Mike Schroeder made it known that his business was not struggling or necessarily needed the bump in attention. He even mentioned how the store has previously had to handle big crowds due to pop up events happening. The difference is, this crowd was unplanned.
“Just seeing Kansas City show up for a business that they know is doing their best and trying to do things a little differently, it was affirming that we’re on the right track, and that KC is doing okay,” Schroeder said. “To see an outpouring from local people for local business was like ‘Okay, there’s still people out there trying to use their time and money in positive ways.’”
Though he appreciated the community outpour, Schroeder believes that the comments the girl made must lead to a deeper conversation about the perception of Troost. The street has long served as the racial segregation line of Kansas City. The restrictions prohibited Black residents from buying homes on the west side.
He believes that comments like those must lead to further education for younger residents about the history of Troost, as he believes many of these negative ideologies are passed down from older figures in their lives.
Mike Schroeder, co-owner of Oddly Correct Coffee, 4141 Troost Ave. Rashad Alexander The Kansas City Star
“It’s being propagated … either subtly or explicitly. Giving them this messaging that when they encounter something that seems a little different or uncomfortable, that gets a label of ‘scary’ or ‘demonic,’” he said. “It’s frustrating to see, but it points to re-education that has to happen. Obviously, that’s a bigger problem than any one of us can handle.”
He also believes these comments can be an opportunity for folks to learn more about the diverse businesses across Troost. Oddly Correct is sandwiched between Anchor Island Cafe, a queer-owned establishment, and Equal Minded Café KC, a Black owned coffee shop.
“Troost is my favorite street in the city because of the stuff that’s here. There’s so much going on,” he said. “If we can be a part of spreading the word or reeducating in some way, that’s a positive thing to come out of it for us.”
Schroeder remains grateful for Kansas City showing up within the last week, and is looking forward to rewarding his staff following the uptake in business. He also hopes that people continue showing this type of gratitude towards other local businesses.
Dining and Cooking