By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
May 18, 2011

International flags lined the sidewalks along Independence Boulevard, Lexington Avenue, and other streets in Historic Northeast Saturday, May 14.

Despite a dreary and cool day, nearly 200 people flocked to Northeast businesses for the third annual Tour the World Business Crawl, sponsored by Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Historic Northeast Events (HNE).

“We got to take a whole tour of the gems of Northeast and the mom and pop stores, so it was a great day,” said Bobbi Baker-Hughes, president of Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

This year, HNE provided a tour bus to transport attendees from one walking section to the next, which allowed the two organizations to expand the tour, Baker-Hughes said.

Walking sections included Independence Boulevard between Park and Gladstone, Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn, Gates Plaza, Kansas City Museum, Cliff Drive, area parks and memorials, 18th and Vine Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum and Gem Theater.

Participating businesses ranged from a Somali mini mall to ethnic restaurants to shops offering exotic rugs and international spices.

Before the tour, each attendee was handed a map and “passport” to be stamped at each participating business. Those with the most stamps were given prizes at the end of the day.

One Northeast resident filled his passport with every possible stamp, Baker-Hughes said.

An eight-year-old girl walking by said, “This is the best day. I have had so much fun.”

“That makes it worth it,” Baker-Hughes said of overhearing the girl. “This is just one step closer to Independence Avenue becoming the international marketplace in the Kansas City area.”

Nearly 200 people attended the Tour the World Business Crawl May 14. Top: Beth Byrd entertains passersby in front of the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce tent. Above: Foday Kamara, owner of The Little Burma Grocery Store, helps Masumbuko Jean pick out a woven mat. Photos by Leslie Collins