News Bulletin
Because what Downtown Gladstone really needed was another trendy lounge, NYX Spirits has officially opened. The ribbon-cutting ceremony—hosted by the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce—marked the arrival of yet another business catering to craft cocktail enthusiasts rather than everyday locals. NYX touts “small-batch spirits” and a blend of “tradition and innovation,” which likely translates to high prices and Instagrammable glassware. While some celebrate the addition, others wonder how this helps address actual community needs. But hey, at least we’ve got artisanal booze while we wait on road repairs and real progress.
The news release from city hall:
"Congratulations to NYX Spirits on their recent ribbon cutting in Downtown Gladstone, hosted by the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce - Gladstone, Missouri!
The lounge, located at 7022 N. Locust Street, features small-batch spirits crafted with a mix of tradition and innovation.
We're excited to welcome them to the community!"
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18odPBXYu9/
Comments
I'm a bit confused by the writer's post. For a brief moment, it seems they might be pro-Gladstone, with an I'm not happy with my government twist—but are they?
They discuss "yet another business catering to craft cocktail enthusiasts rather than everyday locals." But how many craft cocktail businesses do we actually have in our area? What makes an enthusiast not "an everyday local?" Does a business need to cater to everyone to be a valid and valuable community member?
Another statement that makes me scratch my head is "which likely translates to high prices and Instagrammable glassware." Have they even been there? The wording suggests they haven't, yet it's crafted in a way that makes a reader believe they know what they're talking about. We see a lot of that these days—people writing with an air of authority, appearing fully fluent in a subject while lacking actual knowledge.
As someone familiar with NYX—a community resident and a person who works in the community—I know the many establishments that serve alcoholic beverages, whether as a primary offering or as an enjoyable addition to other consumables. The wine at NYX is absolutely on par with other options, and in some cases, it's even more reasonably priced, whether local or not. Someone needs to come visit Happy Hour. It's Wednesday-Friday, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. I suggest anything with Naan.
Regarding small-batch spirits, I could walk down the street and pay considerably more for something that isn't made locally—something that’s more mass-produced than its branding suggests and isn’t owned by a longtime, local, tax-paying Gladstone resident, who raised her family here. My other option? I could shift direction slightly and opt for some bottom-shelf, mass-produced product—possibly one that isn’t even made in the U.S. Either way, we all have choices.
"Instagrammable?" Really?
Perception is undoubtedly a person's reality. That said, when was the last time we saw a crummy-looking ad and thought, "I need to check that place out?" The glassware is etched, but it's engraved with the name of the vineyard and winery responsible for that wine and those spirits.
By the way, both are owned by the same people. If you ask me, Shriti and Paul used their business acumen to save on initial startup costs while also promoting the very business making NYX possible. Good job!
And since when did our local businesses become responsible for or the hangup for road repairs? Or maybe I misunderstood—the author might have meant that the Gladstone government should be more focused on infrastructure than on welcoming a business that employs local workers, pays taxes, and tastefully renovates a property, improving its safety and aesthetics for the community to enjoy. Which, by the way, helps pay for our infrastructure. Just saying.
Tell me: is enjoying time with cherished friends and family on that patio during Friday night concerts on the square a bad thing? Is gathering in a well-lit environment next to a cozy fire in the winter to play games somehow not valuable?
Businesses that bring people and funds to our town have value. If the writer opposes alcohol use, I respect their stance. Personally, I'm not keen on casinos. But what I will say is that NYX is not the typical bar or restaurant.
They cater to friends who want to reconnect in a quieter environment—not a place where they’re rushed out the door to make room for another table. They cater to individuals looking for a few moments alone to read a book and enjoy a nice beverage in a safe space. They welcome grown families gathering after dinner to play games and savor the precious moments they share before life inevitably pulls them apart again.
For all my wonderful neighbors in the business of food and booze, I love you, this isn't a post about you. Please forgive me.
I don't know; the message the author sent just seemed so backhanded and far from what I know to be reality.
And this is the Show Me State, you don't have to take my word for it, see for yourself!