Provis Coffee Roasters bring a literary twist to coffee in North Kansas City
Every book in the cafe is either fiction or poetry, each one handpicked to fit the space.
Courtesy Provis Coffee Roasters
When a group of customers asked Ronni Kurtz how he would describe the aesthetic of Provis Coffee Roasters, the North Kansas City shop he co-founded, they offered ideas like “New England newspaper,” “old money cottage,” and “grad school.”
An older woman overheard the conversation and described the shop as simply a good place to be human.
For Kurtz, the comment captured what he and his fellow owners wanted to create with Provis: a place where people can slow down, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and connect with others.
Founders Jesse Worcester, Ronni Kurtz, and Josh Brown // Courtesy Provis Coffee Roasters
Kurtz and Josh Brown started the shop out of a shared love of coffee and the culture surrounding it. Jesse Worcester is also involved as a primary owner. Together, they built Provis around four values: craftsmanship, hospitality, beauty, and storytelling.
“We wanted to be a place that took coffee seriously without taking ourselves too seriously,” Kurtz says.
Photo by Nancy Le
The shop takes its name from a character in Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations. For Kurtz, the literary connection reflects the stories behind every cup of coffee, from the farmers who grow the beans to the baristas who prepare them and the customers who visit.
That love of stories can also be seen on the shelves throughout the shop. Kurtz and his wife wanted to fill the space with books but knew buying an entire library would be expensive. So, they borrowed a truck, drove to Ohio, visited friends, and spent hours browsing the selections at two “dollar book stores.”
Every book in the shop is either fiction or poetry, and the couple handpicked each one to fit the space.
Photo by Nancy Le
The attention to detail extends to the equipment behind the bar. The espresso machine, grinders, and Poursteady machine all received custom powder coating in a dark green that complements the shop’s design. Kurtz says the owners believe beauty can be found in ordinary things and hope customers notice the little details as they spend time in the space.
That same care goes into the coffee program. Head roaster Randall Buchanan handles green coffee buying and roasting in-house. He joined the team after spending 15 years in the St. Louis coffee scene.
Provis offers options for everyday coffee drinkers alongside rare geisha coffees and beans made using experimental processing methods, including co-fermentation. The owners hope to eventually represent Kansas City in national coffee competitions.
Kurtz and Brown first fell in love with specialty coffee at Sump Coffee in St. Louis. The care the team put into its coffee showed them what was possible when people took the time to focus on their craft.
Courtesy Provis Coffee Roasters
Hospitality is another part of the shop’s approach. Provis offers alternative milks without an additional charge, which Kurtz says was a small way to make more customers feel welcome. The shop also offers a rotating selection of vegan and gluten-free baked goods from Mud Pie Vegan Bakery.
The owners want that same sense of hospitality to extend to their employees. Kurtz says they strive to support their team through pay, time off, and a positive workplace culture. He encourages customers to ask the baristas about their favorite drinks and learn more about the coffee they serve.
For Kurtz, the people have become one of the best parts of opening the shop.
“You get into coffee because of a love for it, and I think you end up having longevity in coffee because of a love for people,” Kurtz says.
The team is working on a full food program, exploring unique coffees with producers and looking for a long-term home for its roasting operation. In the meantime, the owners hope Provis becomes a neighborhood gathering spot where customers can enjoy thoughtfully prepared coffee, pick up a book, or take a break from the day.
Provis Coffee Roasters is located at 2914 Buchanan St., North Kansas City, MO 64116, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
