During his five years operating on Troost, Jason Provo said real estate agents often approached him, asking, “When are you going to leave and get a big boy spot in Leawood?”
Now the owner of beloved Blackhole Bakery is planning his second location. But not in Johnson County.
Jason Provo, Blackhole Bakery; courtesy photo
Provo is taking over a space at 1702 W. 45th St., at the corner of 45th and Genessee streets in the West Plaza antique district. A late 2025 opening is scheduled.
“I just keep plugging away, and when opportunities arise, I evaluate them on their merit,” he said. “It’s just a blank canvas; we can make it exactly what we want it to be from the ground up.”
Provo previously worked at Panera Bread for a short stint, then spent five years at the former Dean & DeLuca in Leawood before opening Blackhole Bakery in 2020, using funds from his 401(k).
He first considered such popular retail areas as River Market and Westport, but the rent in those neighborhoods was out of his budget, Provo said. One day he parked on Troost just before rush hour and took note of the high traffic. The rent also was more affordable.
His subsequent bakery at 5531 Troost Ave. became so successful he’s now growing it to house a coffee and bagel bar.
Landlord Nick Porto approached Provo about expanding to his West Plaza building.
Porto’s law office had been downtown, but post-pandemic he purchased a building at 1616 W. 45th St. and relocated.
He often walks the neighborhood with his wife, Christina.
“She said, ‘This is a great street, but there’s no place for people to gather,’” Porto recalled. His wife then spied an empty building across the street, and encouraged him to buy it.
That was on a Saturday; on Monday he made an offer.
Two years later, work is scheduled to start in a few days with the build-out completed by late summer.
Porto wanted a local restaurateur as a tenant, one who could bring “dynamic change to the neighborhood,” he said.
““It is so charming, kind of like a Chicago ‘neighborhood-meets-business’ spot,” Porto said.
Unlike the Troost bakery, the West Plaza Blackhole will feature seating for diners.
It will offer pastries, coffees, bagels, sandwiches and maybe some desserts. Provo also wants to partner with area chefs to create such grab-and-go items as side salads and dips, but also make some of his own.
“I’m calling it a bodega. I want it to have that corner store feel,” he said. “I’m really trying to gear this to the neighborhood. Come in for breakfast and a cup of coffee, then maybe pick up a quart of soup and bread for dinner.”
Startland News contributor Joyce Smith covered local restaurants and retail for nearly 40 years with The Kansas City Star. Click here to follow her on Bluesky, here for X (formerly Twitter), here for Facebook, here for Instagram, and by following #joyceinkc on Threads.
