Mid Coast Modern owner Matt Bramlette talks his new Crossroads shop, Kansas City architecture and more in The Pitch‘s Questionnaire

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Name: Matt Bramlette

Occupation: Owner, Mid Coast Modern

Instagram handle: midcoastkc

Hometown: Kansas City

Current neighborhood: The Northland

What I do: I’ve been a designer/art director for the past 15 years at various agencies around Kansas City. I recently made the leap to small-business owner opening a store called Mid Coast Modern at 2119 Washington. It’s a shop supporting the modern, handmade “Maker” movement. It’s a resource for design-centric home goods, apparel, jewelry, artwork and limited-edition gifts.

What’s your addiction? The Internet

What’s your game? Cards Against Humanity

What’s your drink? Boulevard Wheat, vodka-lemonade, mojito, good coffee

Where’s dinner? Bluestem, Thomas, Lulu’s, Vietnam Café

What’s on your KC postcard? A vintage image of Fairyland Park, Troost in the ’20s or Electric Park

Finish this sentence: “Kansas City got it right when …” It restored Union Station.

“Kansas City screwed up when …” It was named Kansas City while located in Missouri.

“Kansas City needs …” More adventurous commercial architecture, pushing the boundaries, like the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. We have some great local design/build groups that are pushing the envelope on residential and some small public projects. It’s starting to happen, and I can’t wait to see more.

“As a kid, I wanted to be …” An artist, a musician and a skateboarder.

“In five years, I’ll …” Continue to see the world and evolve. I don’t believe in defining a rigid path. Life has all sorts of curves and corners. It’s best for me to let experiences guide decisions.

“I always laugh at …” The Comedy Central roasts and South Park.

“I’ve been known to binge-watch …” Boardwalk Empire, Superjail, Wonder Showzen, Nurse Jackie, Homeland, The Wire, etc.

“I can’t stop listening to …” Black metal. It’s been my go-to genre for years. I’m still down with the hardcore/punk music from my teens and all sorts of underground music. I’m not much of a radio guy. And I listen to podcasts like Fresh Air, Joe Rogan Experience, This American Life.

“My dream concert lineup is …” A multiday festival with Black Sabbath [during the ’70s], Craft [black metal from Sweden], Helmet [circa 1991], Bastro, Godflesh [circa 1990], GOD [U.K. band], Coil, Derek Bailey, Black Flag [circa the early ’80s], Swans [Cop era], Peter Brötzmann Quartet … there are a million. Basically, any group that has the power to transform a room and take the listener to another level. It’s subjective, I guess.

“I just read …” The Internet. But in general, I tend to be drawn to nonfiction, particularly books about the human condition and how bizarre it can be. I like books from Feral House.

What’s your hidden talent? If I knew, I’d be using it. I used to be OK at skateboarding and drums.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? JT “bringing sexy back” — yeah!

The best advice I ever got: Don’t live beyond your means. Don’t accept things blindly. Question everything; as in, try to understand the deeper meaning/reason/cause.

Worst advice: A friend had me ride on the back of a moped across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. It was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever done.

My sidekick: Rick Leavitt

What is your spirit animal? Bear

Who is your hero? Rather than narrowing to a single “who,” I’ll say a what: music and skateboarding. Both of those made me who I am, no doubt.

Who is your nemesis? Fake people

What’s your greatest struggle right now? Getting my store done and open. Although it might be open by the time this is printed.

My favorite toy as a child: Anything dinosaur-related or alien-related. I had a 2-foot-tall Alien action figure that I wish I still had. Oh, and Stretch Armstrong.

My dating triumph/tragedy: Went on a blind date and got yelled at for not being interested. A dating triumph was meeting someone I’d want to date! The last “date” I went on has been going on for seven years now.

My brush with fame: I rode a skatepark with Tony Hawk when he and I were teenagers. My old band, Germbox, opened up for a few big bands like Fugazi and Helmet.

My soapbox: People/companies who care more about money than well-being.

What was the last thing you had to apologize for? Something related to opening my business. Lots of things happen when you are in the process of opening a business!

Who’s sorry now? Ted Haggard, Jim Bakker, Josh Duggar. 

My recent triumph: Making the leap to small-business owner with my store Mid Coast Modern.