Joyce Smith
@joyceinkc.bsky.social
Your longtime Kansas City reporter covering area restaurant & retail news. Please send tips, questions. (Previous life: OG Cityscape columnist)
Saladworks is now open at 7745 W. 159th St., in Overland Park’s Bluhawk development. It offers specialty salads, build-your-own salads, melts, wraps, grain bowls, soups, kids meals and desserts. #openings
November 14, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Saladworks is now open at 7745 W. 159th St., in Overland Park’s Bluhawk development. It offers specialty salads, build-your-own salads, melts, wraps, grain bowls, soups, kids meals and desserts. #openings
icymi 🍦 Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is opening another Lee’s Summit shop. The location, at 1636 S.E. Blue Parkway, is scheduled to open in January. In July, Betty Rae’s celebrated its grand opening inside the Cosentino’s Price Chopper at 251 S.W. Greenwich Drive in Lee’s Summit. #openings
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
icymi 🍦 Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is opening another Lee’s Summit shop. The location, at 1636 S.E. Blue Parkway, is scheduled to open in January. In July, Betty Rae’s celebrated its grand opening inside the Cosentino’s Price Chopper at 251 S.W. Greenwich Drive in Lee’s Summit. #openings
Revealed: In September, Block & Company Inc. Realtors said two national restaurants would open in the new 115th & Nall development in Overland Park. Now it has confirmed: The Capital Grille & Yard House will be opening in the 9.64-acre mixed-use project, around fall 2026. #openings
November 11, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Revealed: In September, Block & Company Inc. Realtors said two national restaurants would open in the new 115th & Nall development in Overland Park. Now it has confirmed: The Capital Grille & Yard House will be opening in the 9.64-acre mixed-use project, around fall 2026. #openings
In Residence Studio plans a mid-November opening at 10 Westport Road, just off the expanded streetcar line. It will be a design studio, vintage furniture gallery, and vintage and new home decor shop. It started five years ago as an Instagram-based vintage shop. #openings
October 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
In Residence Studio plans a mid-November opening at 10 Westport Road, just off the expanded streetcar line. It will be a design studio, vintage furniture gallery, and vintage and new home decor shop. It started five years ago as an Instagram-based vintage shop. #openings
If this Cosmo Burger cousin seems like Topgolf with darts, that’s the (steel-tipped) point. 🎯 See my story in @startlandnews.com #kc #kccrossroads #arrowdartclub
www.startlandnews.com/2025/10/arro...
www.startlandnews.com/2025/10/arro...
Arrow Dart Club sinks into Crossroads with 10 throwing lanes, elevated culinary team
A new, multi-level Crossroads entertainment venue combines the nostalgia of basement darts with tech-driven scoring, elevated eats, and a subterranean wine bar. It’s an experience that feels familiar,...
www.startlandnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
If this Cosmo Burger cousin seems like Topgolf with darts, that’s the (steel-tipped) point. 🎯 See my story in @startlandnews.com #kc #kccrossroads #arrowdartclub
www.startlandnews.com/2025/10/arro...
www.startlandnews.com/2025/10/arro...
This concept has long been in the works for KC.
See my story in @startlandnews News #openings
See my story in @startlandnews News #openings
Fresh in the tin: Crossroads cafe targets TikTok generation for laid-back canned seafood cuisine
A new venue specializing in “sangria, tins and snacks” pairs viral tastes with inspiration from a classic culinary voice, said longtime Kansas City restaurateur Shawn McClenny, whose Crossroads “taver...
www.startlandnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:31 PM
This concept has long been in the works for KC.
See my story in @startlandnews News #openings
See my story in @startlandnews News #openings
Quick Look: Pokéloha is now open at 11831 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park (Walmart center). 🍣🍜
On the menu? Ramen, sushi, sushi burritos, and new Dry Tossed Noodles. #openings
On the menu? Ramen, sushi, sushi burritos, and new Dry Tossed Noodles. #openings
October 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Quick Look: Pokéloha is now open at 11831 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park (Walmart center). 🍣🍜
On the menu? Ramen, sushi, sushi burritos, and new Dry Tossed Noodles. #openings
On the menu? Ramen, sushi, sushi burritos, and new Dry Tossed Noodles. #openings
The Country Club Plaza's Gram & Dun will soon have another location. Gram & Dun Argosy plans a January opening in the Argosy Casino & Hotel in Riverside. #openings Rendering: Courtesy of Argosy Casino.
October 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
The Country Club Plaza's Gram & Dun will soon have another location. Gram & Dun Argosy plans a January opening in the Argosy Casino & Hotel in Riverside. #openings Rendering: Courtesy of Argosy Casino.
Texas Tom's is taking the former Dickey’s Barbecue Pit building, at 600 S. Missouri 291, Liberty, for an early Oct. opening. The owner also has the Gladstone location.
The menu includes hamburgers, taco burgers, Italian steak sandwiches, tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, gyros, tacos. #openings
The menu includes hamburgers, taco burgers, Italian steak sandwiches, tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, gyros, tacos. #openings
September 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Texas Tom's is taking the former Dickey’s Barbecue Pit building, at 600 S. Missouri 291, Liberty, for an early Oct. opening. The owner also has the Gladstone location.
The menu includes hamburgers, taco burgers, Italian steak sandwiches, tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, gyros, tacos. #openings
The menu includes hamburgers, taco burgers, Italian steak sandwiches, tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, gyros, tacos. #openings
More new tenants for the Country Club Plaza. J.H. & Sons -highly curated menswear - plans a spring opening at 314/316 Ward Parkway. Perch women's apparel will soon open a pop-up at 333 W. 47th St. #openings
September 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
More new tenants for the Country Club Plaza. J.H. & Sons -highly curated menswear - plans a spring opening at 314/316 Ward Parkway. Perch women's apparel will soon open a pop-up at 333 W. 47th St. #openings
Locally owned Summit Hospitality Group is opening a new restaurant concept, Vertice Italian (pronounced ver-tee-chay), at 616 Ward Parkway on the Country Club Plaza. A 2026 opening is scheduled. (This is a developing story.) #openings #opening #countryclubplaza www.instagram.com/vertice_kc/
September 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Locally owned Summit Hospitality Group is opening a new restaurant concept, Vertice Italian (pronounced ver-tee-chay), at 616 Ward Parkway on the Country Club Plaza. A 2026 opening is scheduled. (This is a developing story.) #openings #opening #countryclubplaza www.instagram.com/vertice_kc/
Tanger, a leading owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping centers, has acquired Legends Outlets Kansas City in KCK for $130 million. It will be known as Tanger Kansas City at Legends.
Photo credit: Alex Arnett
Photo credit: Alex Arnett
September 17, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Tanger, a leading owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping centers, has acquired Legends Outlets Kansas City in KCK for $130 million. It will be known as Tanger Kansas City at Legends.
Photo credit: Alex Arnett
Photo credit: Alex Arnett
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream🍦plans an early 2026 opening at 9711 N. Ash Ave., Suite B, near Liberty. It also plans to open shops in Lawrence and Smithville. #openings
September 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream🍦plans an early 2026 opening at 9711 N. Ash Ave., Suite B, near Liberty. It also plans to open shops in Lawrence and Smithville. #openings
Locally owned NEAT. bar coming to the District at Lenexa City Center in December. It is taking the former Savoy Tea spot at 16953 City Center Drive. #openings
September 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Locally owned NEAT. bar coming to the District at Lenexa City Center in December. It is taking the former Savoy Tea spot at 16953 City Center Drive. #openings
Pinstripes - bistro, bowling, bocce - has closed after more than a decade in Overland Park's Prairiefire at 13500 Nall Ave., along with 10 other locations in a corporate restructuring. #closings
September 9, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Pinstripes - bistro, bowling, bocce - has closed after more than a decade in Overland Park's Prairiefire at 13500 Nall Ave., along with 10 other locations in a corporate restructuring. #closings
Spice of Bombay Indian Kitchen & Bar is now open at 436 SW Ward Road in Lee’s Summit. It features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet - typically eight entrees, salad and soup, appetizers, naan, and desserts for $19.99. It also has an Overland Park restaurant.
September 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Spice of Bombay Indian Kitchen & Bar is now open at 436 SW Ward Road in Lee’s Summit. It features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet - typically eight entrees, salad and soup, appetizers, naan, and desserts for $19.99. It also has an Overland Park restaurant.
Big Grove Brewery is coming to The Shops of Prairie Village. It is taking 13,000 square feet in the former Macy’s department store space and plans to open by May. #openings (Drone photo is of the Des Moines brewery and taproom.)
September 8, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Big Grove Brewery is coming to The Shops of Prairie Village. It is taking 13,000 square feet in the former Macy’s department store space and plans to open by May. #openings (Drone photo is of the Des Moines brewery and taproom.)
The owner of Mi Ranchito restaurants will open a new upscale Mexican concept, Rulber’s Restaurant Mas Cantina, in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center in Prairie Village in late 2025 or early 2026. He is working on a special Rulber's menu. #openings
September 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The owner of Mi Ranchito restaurants will open a new upscale Mexican concept, Rulber’s Restaurant Mas Cantina, in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center in Prairie Village in late 2025 or early 2026. He is working on a special Rulber's menu. #openings
Coming to Lenexa City Center: Five Four (formerly 54th Street) in a new building for indoor dining/outdoor games area for fall 2026. Sharing a building: Urban Egg for a late 2026; and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, a sister restaurant of J. Alexander’s, for early 2027. #openings
September 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Coming to Lenexa City Center: Five Four (formerly 54th Street) in a new building for indoor dining/outdoor games area for fall 2026. Sharing a building: Urban Egg for a late 2026; and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, a sister restaurant of J. Alexander’s, for early 2027. #openings
Ace Pickleball Club is now open at 1445 S. Mahaffie in Olathe. Memberships and open play. The 11 indoor, cushioned courts are divided by skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). #openings
September 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Ace Pickleball Club is now open at 1445 S. Mahaffie in Olathe. Memberships and open play. The 11 indoor, cushioned courts are divided by skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). #openings
Topeka-based Glory Days Pizza has opened a location at 14850 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. The menu includes build-your-own and specialty pizzas (such as BBQ chicken, baked potato with housemade ranch dressing, Mediterranean Veggie), wings, salads, sandwiches, desserts. #openings
September 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Topeka-based Glory Days Pizza has opened a location at 14850 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. The menu includes build-your-own and specialty pizzas (such as BBQ chicken, baked potato with housemade ranch dressing, Mediterranean Veggie), wings, salads, sandwiches, desserts. #openings
See my story in StartlandNews.com #openings
Why a City Market favorite is jumping the state line — to the food court at Oak Park Mall
“That’s a busy, busy location and we believe we have products that the clientele that goes there will love — the most popular Brazilian street snacks,” said Marco Rabello. “We are really happy about i...
www.startlandnews.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:07 PM
See my story in StartlandNews.com #openings
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, known for serving handmade ice cream since 1945, has opened its first metro location at Overland Park’s Oak Park Mall. It is in a multi-tenant building at the corner of 95th and Quivira. A Belton location is opening soon. #openings
August 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, known for serving handmade ice cream since 1945, has opened its first metro location at Overland Park’s Oak Park Mall. It is in a multi-tenant building at the corner of 95th and Quivira. A Belton location is opening soon. #openings