Christopher Oppenhuis, owner of Cable and Company and director of coffee at Thou Mayest, talks vintage clothes, Kansas City growth and more

Instagram handle: @cableandcompany

Hometown: Chicago

Current neighborhood: Columbus Park

What I do: With Cable and Company, I wear all the hats. Hunting and gathering vintage stock, learning the history and researching the manufacturing importance of those items, merchandising, working on current and potential future vendor relations, accounting, scheming and dreaming, etc. With Thou Mayest, I select green-coffee offerings, roast and also establish quality-control procedures and standards as we continue to grow our wholesale reach and identity as a company.

What’s your addiction? Old Camp Blankets

What’s your game? Scrabble or Monopoly. Nothing more, nothing less.

What’s your drink? The Final Word — a version of the Last Word in which you replace the gin with mezcal.

Where’s dinner? At home with my wife as much as possible. Otherwise, El Pollo Rey or on the patio at Westside Local.

What’s on your KC postcard? “Al Capone pissed here.” (see: the Rieger)

Finish these sentences: “Kansas City got it right when …” It became desirable enough again for the kids who grew up around here to boomerang back, start building some stuff and continue the progress forward in developing a strong, vibrant culture. We obviously have great sports happening and extreme local pride, but the availability of time and space, coupled with an affordable quality of life, creates a platform for the arts and entrepreneurs to take risks and develop the true taste of a city. Growing up in the East Side of Chicago, I remember the phrase “There’s more than corn in Indiana,” and I think here it would be something more along the lines of “There’s more than baseball in Kansas City.”

“Kansas City screwed up when …” It built the airport so far away … and the highways … and, you know, all that stuff a long time ago that we’re trying to change, right? Walk around, damn it.

“Kansas City needs …” More bicycle lanes.

“As a kid, I wanted to be …” An adult.

“In five years, I’ll be …” (Hopefully) selling more clothes, still in love with m’love and growing my hair longer.

“I always laugh at …” Embroidered Looney Tunes denim vests spotted out thrifting.

“I’ve been known to binge watch …” Mr. Show With Bob and David.

“I can’t stop listening to …” William Onyeabor. Do yourself a favor.

“My dream concert lineup is …” ’60s-era Rolling Stones opening up for a ’70s-era Neil Young.

“I just read …” How to file and pay my state business taxes

What’s your hidden talent? Juggling

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Throwing my jeans in the dryer for a few minutes before putting ’em on. Best way to start the day.

The best advice I ever got: Have patience.

Worst advice? Always buy new.

My sidekicks? Cactus Cody Stuber and Ozzie Mendoza. My soigné brothers. Future tastemakers and eternal life livers. Just wait.

What is your spirit animal? Chartreuse

Who is your hero? Do yourself a favor, become your own savior.

Who (or what) is your nemesis? Everyone wearing the same thing. No thanks.

What’s your greatest struggle right now? Finding the time to be creative and progress creatively.

My favorite toy as a child: My drum set. Thanks, mom and dad.

My dating triumph/tragedy? Carrying a bass drum out of the Empty Bottle in Chicago wearing an ironic shirt and bumping into my future wife. She said, “Cool sweater,” and I said, “Cool life.” Immediately I was in love. Eight years, three cities and two cats later, we are excited at the potential KC has offered us to create the quality of life we desire in our homebase.

My brush with fame: My favorite is probably making a hot chocolate for R. Kelly once. No whip, no joke. He was wearing a fur coat.

My soapbox: Ride the bus. Please. It won’t lower your social status to be a commuter some days.

What was the last thing you had to apologize for? Not carrying women’s vintage in my store.

Who’s sorry now? Anyone who believes clothing needs to be gender-specific.

My recent triumph: Opening a brick-and-mortar space for Cable and Company after 18 months of pop-up retail.

Cable and Company is at 115 West 18th Street, No. 106, Wednesday through Saturday.