Sly Comeback
Seiden’s Furs operated out of its downtown space at 10th and Broadway for 75 years before closing in 2006. The building then sat vacant for nearly two decades and was even slated for demolition in 2021 until Chris Sally of Iconic Preservation stepped in to save the structure.
This fall, the space is getting new life: Chef Rick Mullins and bar and hospitality veteran Candice Moore are opening Loretta Jean’s Restaurant & Bar in the historic space. The restaurant will focus on “New Midwestern” cuisine built around seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Inside, the design will blend contemporary touches with original elements such as the fur vault, vintage posters and the building’s iconic fox sign, preserving the space’s history while giving it new life.
Firing Up North
Since opening in the West Bottoms in 2020, Chef J BBQ has steadily earned recognition as one of the best in KC. Now, owners Justin Easterwood and Terra Whipple are heading north, opening a second location (1900 Clay St., NKC) this summer.
The 5,400-square-foot restaurant with a 4,000-square-foot patio will seat roughly 300 and feature an open smokehouse, five custom offset pits and a bread and pastry program. Unlike the original “sell-out model,” Easterwood says the new spot will offer lunch and dinner seven days a week, with expanded menu items, desserts and “a more elevated restaurant experience” while maintaining its focus on live-fire cooking.
Cocktails on Wheels
Diana Condori, 2026 James Beard Foundation nominee for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, is expanding her tiki pop-up, Condor’s Cove, with an Airstream mobile bar. Outfitted with draft systems and an eight-person lounge, the bar will travel to festivals and host other bartenders’ pop-ups. As Condori pursues her rum-punched dreams, she’ll be easing out of her role at Fern Bar.
A New Era for Ponak’s
After five decades on Southwest Boulevard, Ponak’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar (2856 Southwest Blvd., KCMO) has been sold to its longtime general manager, Spencer Shaw, marking a new chapter for the Kansas City institution. Shaw plans to preserve the identity, recipes, atmosphere and margaritas that have made Ponak’s a beloved spot since it opened in 1975 while also introducing a new catering concept to expand its reach in the KC market. The sale includes the full restaurant and outdoor patio, and regulars shouldn’t expect much change under the familiar stewardship.
Fusion Fix
Kansas City is soon getting its first standalone Mexican-sushi restaurant with the opening of Kculichi Sushi (542 Southwest Blvd., KCK). Originally a Mexican-sushi food truck, Kculichi is known for rolls that are often fried or baked and topped with melted cheese, beef, bacon and chipotle or serrano peppers. This fusion cuisine known as Sinaloan sushi originates from the Sinaloa region of Mexico. The permanent 3,300‑square‑foot space will seat about 30 tables and represents a major step from pop‑ups to a full brick‑and‑mortar concept.
