West Bottoms’ Blip Roasters Reopens in New Spot After Fire

Earlier this year, Blip Roasters got hit with one of the worst pieces of luck that can strike a young business.

In January, just a few months after the company opened, a fire ruined Blip’s location in the West Bottoms. The flames didn’t reach into its space, but there was heavy smoke and water damage.

Blip’s computers, packaging, beans and inventory of shirts and other swag were “pretty much trashed,” owner Ian Davis said.

blip-signFortunately, Blip has reopened in a new retail location at 1101 Mulberry, just a few blocks from the old spot. To welcome customers back—and thank them for their support—Davis and company will host an open house starting at 7 p.m. Friday.

Several other businesses held special sales and silent auctions to raise money for Blip while it’s sorting things out with its insurance company.

“We’ve had a huge amount of support from the Kansas City coffee community as well as the motorcycle community,” Davis said. (Motorcycle enthusiasts have been extremely loyal customers of Blip’s, which hosts ride-ins and other events.)

Though Blip is open for business, a few things are different right now. It originally launched as a coffee wholesaler, but for the time being, it’s serving beans roasted by Broadway Roasting Co.

The new space also has much more room for Blip’s café business. So Davis has added seating, and he now offers motorcycle gear from brands like Biltwell and Grifter.

Blip Roasters is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.