Openings
KC Bier Co. (kcbier.com)
KC Bier Co., a Waldo staple since it opened in 2014 offering traditional German style brews, recently broke ground on its biggest project to date.
The brewery began construction on its second location in Lenexa. The Lenexa site is expected to be “one of the largest authentic Bavarian-style Biergartens in the US.”
To learn more about what to expect from the Biergarten, read here.
BB Bánh Mì (5219 NE Chouteau Traffic Way, bbbanhmi.com)
There’s a new banh mi sandwich shop in town.
BB Bánh Mì opened in North KC earlier this month with a small but mighty menu that serves classic Vietnamese delights like the banh mi sandwich, pho, bun bowls, salted coffee and more.
The current promotional offers includes a free coffee with the purchase of three sandwiches or two free coffees with the purchase of five sandwiches.
Vietnam Cafe (9500 W. 135th St. Overland Park, KS, vietnamcafekc.com)
A Kansas City restaurant staple is expanding.
Vietnam Cafe, a locally-owned Vietnamese restaurant that consistently ranks on KC’s best restaurants lists (like ours in 2022), is opening a second location in Overland Park.
The new site, which joins the River Market original location, will be located at 135th and Switzer Road and will occupy the 4,075 square foot former Beef-A-Roo space, which sits on 1.03 acres.
The property will undergo construction. An opening date is yet to be determined.
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream (22350 W. 66th St., Shawnee, KS, bettyraes.com)
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream celebrated the grand opening of its Shawnee location last weekend. The new site sits in the Monticello Shopping Center and is the ice cream shop’s eighth area location.
The beloved Kansas City ice cream store serves 26 core flavors, homemade waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches, shakes and sundaes and more.
Betty Rae’s continues to expand quickly since officially handing the reigns to Shatto Milk Company Vice President Matt Shatto in two years ago.
Closings
Bar K (501 Berkley Plaza, barkdogbar.com)
Bar K has closed.
The beloved establishment, which sits just north of the River Market and includes a bar, published a statement on their website which cites “a variety of challenges” such as economic hardship and construction as the reason for closing.
Read the full article on Bar K’s closing here.
Donutology (426 Delaware St., donutology.com)
Last Sunday, after almost two years, Donutology closed its operation in the River Market trolley.
“As our River Market lease wraps up, we’re closing the Trolley to make room for even bigger things ahead – and we can’t wait to share what’s next with you!’ an Instagram post states.
Donutology’s flagship shop in Westport will remain open.
There’s no news yet as to what is in store for the future of Donutology, but keep updated with the donut shop on its Instagram, @donutologykc.
Other News
Cheers To 50
Of the many Mexican eateries and cantinas dotting Southwest Boulevard, Ponak’s has been open the longest (2856 Southwest Blvd.). Celebrating 50 years today with a fiesta, the popular restaurant opened its doors in 1975.
“I can’t believe it’s been 50 years. It’s been a really great run,” says Owner John Ponak. “I’m really blessed and it’s just phenomenal what’s been going on for the last 50 years.”
To read more about the celebratory event, read here.
