Sister Anne's Records and Coffee, located at 901 East 31st Street in Kansas City, Missouri, is a unique establishment that blends the love of vinyl records with the comfort of a coffee shop. While relatively new compared to some of Kansas City's long-standing record stores, it has quickly become a beloved spot in the local music scene.
The store opened in 2018, the result of a long-held dream by co-owners Jim Oshel and Frank Alvarez. Both Oshel and Alvarez have deep roots in the Kansas City music community, having previously worked together at the revered Recycled Sounds in Westport during the 1990s. Recycled Sounds, co-owned by Anne Winter and Kurt von Schlemmer, was a crucial hub for the city's underground music scene until its closure in 2006.
Sister Anne's is named in honor of Anne Winter, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 45. Alvarez has described Anne as the "godmother of the KC underground music scene," recognizing her significant contributions and the cultural events she organized. Oshel spent time honing his coffee skills as a barista at Broadway Coffee after Recycled Sounds closed, and Sister Anne's proudly serves a custom coffee blend created by Broadway Roasting Co. in Anne's honor.
More than just a retail space, Sister Anne's aims to recreate the community atmosphere that Recycled Sounds fostered. They offer a curated selection of new and used vinyl records, catering to diverse musical tastes. The coffee shop provides a welcoming environment for customers to browse records while enjoying expertly made espresso drinks and snacks. In pre-pandemic times, the shop also hosted live performances by local bands, a tradition Oshel hopes to continue.
Adding another layer to its appeal, Sister Anne's also houses Wise Blood Booksellers, an independent bookshop, further solidifying its role as a cultural destination in Kansas City's Hyde Park neighborhood. In its short history, Sister Anne's Records and Coffee has successfully carved out a niche by honoring the city's musical past while creating a vibrant and welcoming space for the present and future.
"James "Sarge" Carter and I have been meeting at Sister Anne's every week for the past year and a half working together on the development of this record. I have always been impressed by the great care and intention they take in everything they do. I am honored that they are hosting my Vinyl Release party on May 18th. It is a free event and everyone is welcome. I will be playing some songs from the talking a bit about it. I look forward to seeing you there"