Westport business reopens a year after devastating fire

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — A Westport business has reopened a year after a fire destroyed the interior of the building.

Deli Ann Upp, owner of Creative Culture, shows what it looked like last November after a late-night fire spread from the kitchen to the rest of the building.

“I don’t want to start a fire on anyone. It’s a lot of work. I’ve never been through a fire before, so it’s just figuring out how to properly clean things and get the smell out,” Up said.

Upp has renovated the spaces on Westport Road and Central Avenue in the past year. The deli has reopened and now offers customers some new options.

For example, they now have a splash room where people can splash paint on the walls and each other. There are also arts and crafts for people to create, including ceramics, wood burning and wreath making.

Dale Ann redesigned the entire space and reopened it a few days ago. She said she now faces new challenges.

“It’s a very popular place, so come out and say, hey, we’re here again, come see us,” Up said.

Creative Culture is also known for its over-the-top milkshakes topped with cupcakes and cinnamon rolls.

Upp said she hopes to get a food permit from the city on Friday so they can serve the sugary concoction again.