Jenna Thompson

Kansas City, Lincoln

Writing for @KCStar about businesses + fun around JoCo and KC | Tweets ≠ endorsements | Lover of words/empathy/Christ | [email protected]

Articles

New dining concept coming to former home of popular Johnson County restaurant

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Jenna Thompson

After more than five years of vacancy for the former Houlihan’s in Fairway, a new restaurant is hoping to move in. W. VinZant Restaurants — the group that owns Gram & Dun, Louie’s Wine Dive, Waldo Pizza and several other local brands — is looking to open a new upscale concept at 2820 W. 53rd St.Nathan Nogelmeier, city administrator for the city of Fairway, said the restaurant proposal submitted to the city calls the concept “The Fairway,” though that’s subject to change.
Korean BBQ, hot pot restaurant opens another Kansas City area location

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

National Korean barbecue and hot pot chain KPot has opened its third location in the Kansas City area. The chain opened its newest location in the Metro North Crossing development, a 106-acre mixed use development formerly home to the Metro North Mall. KPot opened last week at 8502 N Jefferson St.Two years ago, it opened its first area spot in Overland Park at 7001 W.
KC area furniture store will close over tariffs. 'Nobody can afford that'

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Henrik Svendsen isn't optimistic about the future of local furniture stores. At least, not if things don't change. His lease is up Aug. 1, which is when Svendsen will close his store. As he winds down My Home Contemporary Furniture, a 45,000-square-foot store at 5400 Antioch Drive in Merriam, he's been sounding the alarm on rising prices because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. He's appeared on CNN and MSNBC to speak about the 145% furniture tariffs.
New dining concept coming to former home of popular Johnson County restaurant

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

After more than five years of vacancy for the former Houlihan's in Fairway, a new restaurant is hoping to move in. W. VinZant Restaurants - the group that owns Gram & Dun, Louie's Wine Dive, Waldo Pizza and several other local brands - is looking to open a new upscale concept at 2820 W. 53rd St.Nathan Nogelmeier, city administrator for the city of Fairway, said the restaurant proposal submitted to the city calls the concept "The Fairway," though that's subject to change.
KC coffee shop, bakery just closed. Now it's reopening, with some changes

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Austin Morris, like a lot of people in midtown, was disappointed to hear Enchante was closing. He attends Trinity Church next door, so he'd stop by the 3934 Main St. space often for coffee and pastries. When owner Heather White explained that they'd decided to close the location because of break-ins and streetcar construction, he looked at his wife, Kristin, and said, "I think we can do this.""It's just a really beautiful space," Austin Morris said.
Longtime KC area burger joint is reopening after 4-year hiatus

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Yes, the internet rumors are true - Paul's Drive-In is reopening in Kansas City, Kansas. The 1008 Osage Ave. spot's new owner, Daniel Macias, told The Star he's bringing the burger joint back after its four-ish year hiatus. (He doesn't remember when, but it closed either in 2020 or 2021.)Sometime after Macias took over the space, word started to get out. A couple of neighbors posted their suspicions on social media, sparking a frenzy of excitement. "Everybody's craving the food," Macias said.
Beloved Kansas City cafe is closing after 13 'unforgettable' years

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

The I Am Blessed entree at Cafe Gratitude includes marinated mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and cashew hollandaise sauce on gluten-free bread, served with a side of breakfast potatoes. It sells for $10.50. Special to The Star Kansas City's Cafe Gratitude, a vegan cafe in the Crossroads, is closing after 13 years. The cafe announced on social media Thursday that it's planning on shutting down at 333 Southwest Blvd. on April 27.
Health cafe chain looks to open first KC area spot in Johnson County

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Toastique - a national chain serving juice, coffee and " gourmet toast " - is looking to open its first spot in Kansas City. The company has applied to open a spot in Overland Park's Corbin Park shopping center at 6445 W. 135th St.Realtor Steve Gasperi, who represents the group, told The Star that Toastique is looking for more spots in the area, and he hopes it will be "the first of many."The Washington, D.C.-based brand has a location in Wichita, which opened in September.
Health cafe chain looks to open first KC area spot in Johnson County

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jenna Thompson

Toastique — a national chain serving juice, coffee and “gourmet toast” — is looking to open its first spot in Kansas City. The company has applied to open a spot in Overland Park’s Corbin Park shopping center at 6445 W. 135th St.Realtor Steve Gasperi, who represents the group, told The Star that Toastique is looking for more spots in the area, and he hopes it will be “the first of many.”The Washington, D.C.-based brand has a location in Wichita, which opened in September.
New KC cocktail bar opening soon, serving Latin American drinks and bites

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Jasmine Rios watched her friend open a mariscos restaurant in Dallas' Bishop Arts District and thought, "I want to do that."Well, not exactly that. Instead of a Mexican seafood spot, she dreamed of opening an upscale cocktail lounge that paid homage to her Latina heritage. When her realtor found a space in her hometown of Kansas City, she sketched out the plans for Kohinoor. The bar's namesake is the famous kohinoor diamond, one of the largest cuts in the world, to signify elegance and luxury.