Ambrosi shop still runs on 1959 family roots, now third generation
The Midtown business sharpens about 1,500 blades a day for professional and home kitchens.
By Madison Darwish ·
Alfred Ambrosi runs Ambrosi Brothers Cutlery Company at 3023 Main St. in Kansas City, taking over the knife sharpening business his father Jesse and uncle Marco started in 1959. His daughter MaryAnn and son-in-law Spencer Lutes work alongside him. The shop handles drop-off sharpening or, for $2 more per knife, sharpens while customers wait; it processes about 1,500 blades each day.
The operation began modestly. Jesse and Marco Ambrosi first sharpened blades out of a truck, then moved the work into Jesse's home workshop. Their first storefront opened at 15th and Main. The business relocated to its current Midtown address in 1991.
Professional kitchens across the metro send tools to the shop for maintenance, and home cooks are served as well. Behind the counter, the shop carries cutlery imported largely from Germany, Switzerland and Japan, ranging from small boning knives to large multipurpose chef's knives. It also stocks cookware including Smeg stand mixers, stainless steel pasta makers and meat grinders.
Sharpening services are available by drop-off, and a visit for wait-service sharpening can take about 10 minutes. The business lists more at abcutlery.com.
Source: Kansas City Magazine
