Town Co. Team Takes Over Happy Gillis Space
After nearly two decades, Columbus Park favorite Happy Gillis has closed. It quietly shuttered last July following an AC issue and staffing challenges. Now, the space is getting new life thanks to Helen Jo and Johnny Leach, the husband-wife team behind The Town Co.
Coming into the space is Dear Donna (549 Gillis St., KCMO), a casual corner cafe set to open early this year. While the interior and menu will evolve, Helen Jo and Johnny aim to preserve the spot’s accessible, welcoming spirit. Dear Donna will feature a lunch-forward menu with brunch touches, counter service, select cocktails and Helen Jo’s famed pastries.
Betty Rae’s Continues Its Expansion
The beloved ice cream brand will soon have 11 shops around the metro. Betty Rae’s recently opened its second Lee’s Summit location (1636 S.E. Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit). It’s first Lee’s Summit shop opened inside a Cosentino’s Price Chopper (251 S.W. Greenwich Drive, Lee’s Summit) grocery store.
With plans to soon open a shop in Liberty too, these new locations will join Betty Rae’s Ice Cream stores in Waldo, the River Market, Olathe, Prairie Village, Overland Park’s Deer Creek, Shawnee, Merriam and a location in the Cosentino’s Market at Overland Park’s Bluhawk. Betty Rae’s also has two franchise locations in Omaha.
Betty Rae’s serves 26 core house-made flavors, from crafted classics like vanilla bean and chocolate to creative flavors like cereal milk, lavender honey, gooey butter cake and s’mores.
Betty Rae’s also serves homemade waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches and decadent sundaes. Ice cream flights are a popular item offered at all locations. Recently, Betty Rae’s introduced a vegan and gluten-free waffle cone that joins its vegan and dairy-free options. Hand-packed pints, quarts and gallons are available for any current ice cream flavor, along with pre-packed pints of core flavors.
Northland Sandwich Shop Opens in the River Market
When Italian Sausage Co. opened its flagship in Gladstone four years ago, the deli made waves with hefty, double-fisted sandwiches that practically require unhinging your jaw to eat. You can even grab one of their Italian sausages at their vendor space at Arrowhead (section 134) and Kauffman Stadium (section 234). Now, heading into the new year, Italian Sausage Co. is expanding to the River Market, but this time with a big-city edge.
Taking over the former ClusterTruck ghost kitchen, tucked behind Harry’s Country Club (518 Grand Blvd., KCMO), Italian Sausage Co. plans to transform the massive two-story space into its central catering hub. But the real draw will be the walk-up deli. Customers will be able to order the same beloved sandwiches from the Gladstone menu, as well as an East Coast-style breakfast lineup and drinks from an espresso bar. The goal with the walk-up style restaurant is excitement and convenience.
The River Market site’s grand opening is slated for February.
BKS Expands to Crossroads
Beloved Brookside Brewery BKS Artisan Ales is expanding with a second location in the Crossroads (1701 McGee St., #400, KCMO). Known for its highly sought-after IPAs, BKS has built a devoted following at its original location since 2017. The new Crossroads spot is a size up from its cozy Brookside setting and will seat roughly 50 guests between its indoor space and outdoor patio.
Blackhole Bakery Opens Bodega-Style Spot
Blackhole Bakery has landed in West Plaza. The new space (1702 W. 45th St., KCMO), which opened in late December, is designed with a bodega-style neighborhood feel, offering the bakery’s signature pastries, bagels and a full coffee bar, plus new sandwiches and grab-and-go items created in partnership with local chefs. While the original bakery on Troost Avenue was known for its grab-and-go atmosphere, this new location is more of a neighborhood cafe vibe with plenty of indoor seating.
