Grand Coffee is now open in the place of PJ’s Coffee in Platte City, but the new ownership says fear not, the beignets will stay on the menu.
Owner Salvatore Silvio said that the menu will offer everything expected from a coffee bar and more, including signature coffees, traditional coffee, lattes, refreshers, energy drinks, blended drinks, breakfast and pastries.
“Platte City has been warm and welcoming from day one, and that’s exactly what we expected from this town,” Silvio said, stating that when the chance to acquire the shop in Platte City arose it was an easy decision to make, adding the Platte City location to his already existing Grand Coffee locations in downtown Kansas City and Shawnee, Kan.
Growing up in Liberty, Silvio said he fell in love with coffee shops early.
“What drew me in wasn’t the coffee itself,” he said. “It was everything that happened inside. Light-hearted conversation. Business meetings. First dates. Friends gathered around a chess board. A lifelong friend being asked to be in a wedding. Someone landing a big job. Someone studying for finals. A family just catching up.A coffee shop is one of the few places where you get to decide what it means to you. That’s what makes them special.”
For himself personally, Silvio said he spent a lot of time in college in coffee shops, studying film and opponents he was about to face on the field as a linebacker for the University of Nebraska Kearney. He graduated with a degree in kinesiology and a minor in nutrition with coffee shops as part of his routine.
“Restaurants have always been in my blood,” Silvio said. “My papa opened the first pizzeria in Kansas City, Antonio’s Pizza. My uncle Sam runs Em Chamas Brazilian Grill near Parkville (partner in Grand Coffee). My uncle Nick has Hawg Jaw Que & Brew in North Kansas City. I grew up working in those places, and I loved every bit of it. Platte City felt like the right next step for Grand Coffee. This community is exactly what a coffee shop is built for.”
After college, he said had the opportunity to work at ARC Sports Performance at CE Baseball Facility, now CE Sports Performance, under Cheyenne Verdoorn. That experience introduced him to the community.
“It didn’t take long to see what Platte City is made of,” he said. “Kind people. Strong values. The kind of town that welcomes you in and makes you feel like you belong.”