Joyce Smith

Café Corazón sold KC on her alfajores and empanadas; now meet the Argentine chef behind these treats In a space that serves as a crossroads of identities, trays of Silvia Miguel’s now-iconic savory and sweet dishes find a welcome home alongside bold pieces of art, sips of coffee and wares from a vibr...

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Imo’s Pizza and Feng Cha boba tea plan fall openings in Metro North Crossing, at US 169 and Barry Road in the Northland. #openings

From Pop-up to Permanent: Hugely popular pop-up Luca Bagel Co. has a soft launch for its new shop in East Brookside, 633 E. 63rd St., Suite 110.
But it will still be at the Overland Park Farmers Market on Saturdays and Wednesdays. #openings

Update: Beloved Vietnam Cafe in Columbus Park is expanding, opening a new restaurant with a drive-thru at 9500 W. 135th St. in Overland Park (former Zaxby's, Beef-A-Roo building). The family owned restaurant will do some remodeling and open in 2026. #openings

Months after taking over century-old tailor shop, owner putts his new golf apparel brand in play – Startland News Even when an entrepreneur hyper-obsesses over the details, Michael Jerwick learned, opportunity isn’t always tailor-fit to the most conveniently designed timing. The Slabotsky's owner just transplante...

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Northland BBQ spot opens, building flavors, menu from side hustle to storefront – Startland News After a decade-long journey building his BBQ business — from tailgates to a just-opened brick-and-mortar restaurant — Wardell Hooks Jr. would only change one thing along the way: He’d have quit his fu...

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Why a globally-trained Spanish chef is building his new homebase from City Market – Startland News It’s all about the pan for Carlos Saura, a Spanish chef whose new paella and tapas spot in Kansas City’s bustling and diverse City Market is set to arrive in late summer or early fall — helping bring ...

3 City Market updates. See my story in @startlandnews.com #openings

After coffee, calm: Messenger co-founder, partner envision West Bottoms bathhouse as retreat from what has been “I needed time to pause, and became more and more interested in wellness practices, eating healthier; time and space to reflect and build healthier lifestyle practices,” said Matthew Matsch, who just ...

After coffee, calm: Messenger co-founder, partner envision West Bottoms bathhouse as retreat from what has been. See my story in @StartlandNews bit.ly/4nTR26D

Longboards Wraps and Bowls plans an Aug. 10 opening at 2540 Iowa St., Suite N, Lawrence. #openings

Culinary Center cooking with plans to expand from Overland Park into Northland shops – Startland News “We had a broad vision for a company, especially coming out of the pandemic, that would bring people together,” said Darren Palmet, co-owner of the experience-based business. “The kitchen is where a l...

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🍦 Scoop Alert: Bruster’s Real Ice Cream plans a late July soft opening in Summit Woods Crossing, 1802 NW Chipman Road, Lee’s Summit. #openings

Beloved Brookside mainstay Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard is getting new owners. See my Facebook post @KCinsiders.joyceinkc for more details #brooksidekansascity

Cosmo Burger brings its mouth-watering tots, boozy milkshakes to East Crossroads’ bustling streets of eats – Startland News Bringing Cosmo Burger to the Crossroads required cousins Atit and Jugal Patel to cook their plans to perfection, serving up the brand’s first full-service brick-and-mortar location after years of tria...

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Locally-owned, travel-inspired clothing brand Team Cocktail is expanding. It plans a July 26 opening in the Northland’s Zona Rosa, 7213 N.W. 86th Terrace.
It will feature the brand’s full collection of men’s & women’s apparel, drinkware, and accessories, including their Kansas City gear. #openings

Update: Chicken Salad Chick is now open at 9222 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. The franchisees plan another JoCo location - in a new Bluhawk building - for spring 2026. #openings (This is an update to my March 6 teaser.)

Dos Lokos trio bringing family recipes, culture to former Fountain Haus spot in Westport This immense venue — on the corner of bustling Westport Road and Broadway — has been dark for nearly a year and a half. A new tenant expects to have a new, family-run restaurant in the space by fall.

See my story in @StartlandNews #openings

Downtown restaurant fires up the summertime bar and grill in former KC Daiquiri Shop – Startland News Matthew Hill’s appetite for joining the family business — as a restauranteur — took a big bite forward this month as he opened AJ’s Bar & Grill on Grand Boulevard in downtown Kansas City.

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#kc #openings

Scoops out for summer: Couple's rock-themed ice cream brand Alice Scooper’s adds another shop Mel Engel and Todd Eaton are now taking a second stage, opening their family business — a shop known for made-on-site ice cream and sorbet — in a new Northland city after charting quick success in the...

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Coming to KC's Northland: Chicken Salad Chick, Mochinut, Wingstop, Crunch Fitness, Chick-fil-A, Feng Cha. For details, visit my Facebook page KCinsiders.joyceinkc #openings

Chicken Salad Chick, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant chain, plans a July 1 grand opening at 9222 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. For more information on grand opening giveaways and specials through July 5, visit: www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickOverlandParkKS #openings

I reached the franchisee. He puts the opening in late 2025 or early 2026.

Chick-fil-A to open at Metro North Crossing, at Barry Road and US 169, in October (if all goes as planned). And a Feng Cha boba tea shop in the works for the Northland center but no details were available. #openings

Dozer debut: Indoor sandbox concept revives zero-screens play for JoCo children – Startland News A giant sandbox playroom in Johnson County evokes a simpler era, said Justin Finn, whose immersive entertainment concept for children opens Tuesday in Leawood.

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#openings #kc

Tim Hortons plans to have 5 KC area locations open by the end of the year: two in Blue Springs, one in Crown Center, one in Independence & one in Overland Park. (for more details see my Facebook page: kc_insiders.joyceinkc) #openings

The Northland’s Sushi Nami is expanding. It is taking over the former Bo’s Kitchen space in the River Market, at 108 E. Fifth St., and hopes to open this summer.
The menu includes a variety of sushi rolls and sashimi, appetizers and desserts. #openings

Taiwan sensation 85°C Bakery Cafe has more than 1,000 locations. Now a new one has opened at 12061 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park (by Aldi and the new Pan-Asia Supermarket). On the menu: a variety of coffee and tea drinks, sweet and savory pastries, desserts. #openings

A Crossroads venue will have two new operations in one space.
Beckett’s is taking the front part of 1701 McGee St., Suite 200. The first location opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a year ago, and is described as a neighborhood bar with a focus on sports. Summer opening. #openings

Don Chuy’s Fresh Mex and Cantina has softly opened at 8725 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. It also has an area restaurant in Lee’s Summit. The menu has a "Don Chuy's Steak House" section and the owner hopes to open a restaurant under that name one day. #openings

Former Drunken Fish space spinning coastal VIP remix with DJ Kygo’s Palm Beach Club. See my story in @startlandnews.com #openings

Beloved local brand Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is opening another Johnson County shop. It plans an early July opening in the Monticello Center at 22350 W. 66th St. in Shawnee. #openings