Joy Jacobs  Owner

Joy Jacobs is a serial entrepreneur with a penchant for creativity and a passion for Kansas City, which probably stems from her Kansas City roots. Jacobs was born and bred in Kansas City and the surrounding suburbs and stuck around town for her educational pursuits. Jacobs attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City to pursue a degree in communications studies with an emphasis in documentary. Eventually, Jacobs’ interests waned in film and she enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute for foundational classes and to study photography. It was through Jacobs’ endeavors in art that led her to conceptualize her first business, Yako Gallery. Yako Gallery was a little, eclectic gallery filled with work from local artists and a mix of other creative pieces. The purpose of the gallery was to provide a place for all of her new found friends in the art world to display and sell their pieces as well as network with other creative types.

Like many creative types, Jacobs found inspiration in many things and places and before long Jacobs had another business idea up her sleeve from a recent trip to New York. And, like many serial entrepreneurs – Jacobs followed through with her idea and opened up a juice bar in Kansas City called The Nutty Girl.

Shortly after their openings, both Yako Gallery and The Nutty Girl were profitable and more and more demanding of Jacobs’ time and attention. It was Jacobs’ dedication to quality that led Jacobs to choose to sell The Nutty Girl to focus solely on Yako Gallery and its many successes. Jacobs dedicated herself to the gallery and became known as the go-to gallery for young artists selling on consignment.

Five years after opening Yako Gallery, Jacobs was inspired by another business idea and decided to create a ‘fun farm’ for kids and adults called ‘E.I.O.’. E.I.O. was a place for people to play, be silly and let their imaginations run wild. The concept of the store was a pop culture shop with cards and toys – of a retro flair. Once again, Jacobs’ business thrived. It wasn’t until four years later that Jacobs decided to sell E.I.O. after the real estate lease became unfavorable. It was at this time that Jacobs also decided to sell Yako Gallery to other artist types looking to take over her vision.

Jacobs was ready for a change and moved to San Francisco for a new start. Little did she know that she would be bit by the ‘foodie’ bug and return to Kansas City to open a foodie joint of her own.

Once in San Francisco, Jacobs was taken aback by the food culture of the city, the bountiful farmers market and the magnitude of fresh seafood on the coast. Jacobs was in heaven and becoming more of a foodie than she had ever dreamed. She spent her time enjoying the culture, cooking, hiking, and dreaming. Eventually, Jacobs dreamed up the idea of returning to Kansas City to open up a restaurant of her own.

In September of 2009, Jacobs did just that as she opened up R Bar in the former Sutera’s space of 1617 Genessee in the West Bottoms neighborhood of Kansas City. Jacobs was back in Kansas City, back in business and starting a career in food. R Bar is a restaurant serving seasonal and eclectic American food – with a twist. Jacobs, like the ‘Little Engine that Could,’ has continued to follow her passions and create places for people to come together and enjoy. And given some time, Kansas City is sure to see more from the talents of Joy Jacobs.