Story by Dave Eckert | Intro photo courtesy of Lenexa Public Market
There can be no arguing the fact that food halls are having a moment here in Kansas City. Various iterations are springing up across the metro. What follows is some KC food hall history and a whole lot of food, and drink, for thought.
Photos courtesy of Lenexa Public Market
Let’s start at the Lenexa Public Market where Kansas City’s food hall scene began. I asked Denise Rendina, Communications Director for the city of Lenexa, for some background on the market, which can be found in Lenexa City Center. “When envisioning a civic campus for the heart of Lenexa City Center, leaders decided to create an indoor public market to serve as a gathering place for the community. The Lenexa Public Market opened September 1, 2017, and occupies the lower level of a 70,000-square-foot building that also houses Lenexa City Hall,” Rendina shared. “The dynamic food hall was the first to open in the metropolitan area and offers local entrepreneurs an opportunity to launch or grow their businesses. In addition to delicious food, the Lenexa Public Market offers a place for the community to gather. From live music and Family Night on Wednesdays to board game demonstrations and special events throughout the year, the Lenexa Public Market offers a variety of events to keep you engaged and entertained.”
To stay up to date on the offerings and happenings at the public market, check out LenexaPublicMarket.com or their social sites.
Photos courtesy of Lenexa Public Market
Not far from the Lenexa Public Market, in downtown Overland Park, you will find Strang Hall, part of the Strang Chef Collective, which has grown from a single food hall to three-the Original on West 80th in Overland Park, a second in on Main Street in downtown Kansas City, and the newest on Wornall Road in The Country Club Plaza.
Named after American railroad magnate, William B. Strang, Jr, Strang Hall is what the collective part of the name suggests, a collection of chefs with varying backgrounds and culinary themes. The culinary creations change with the seasons, and also, from location to location. I counted 16 kitchens among the three Strang locations, which can be easily found and learned about by going online to StrangHall.com
Next, in the heart of the city, there is Parlor KC, offering a collection of food and beverage options in The Crossroads. Steven Drehle is Parlor’s General Manager. Parlor opened in September 2018 in the Crossroads District of KCMO. With a rotating list of restaurants and food concepts, Parlor gives up-and-coming chefs a platform to expand their culinary creativity. The idea is you can provide a creative person with their own kitchen and their own space, and they can do it for a fraction of the cost of a brick and mortar,” Drehle points out. Parlor is a comfortable place for people to relax and socialize while enjoying great drinks and phenomenal food from all walks of life.”
Drehle says the best way to stay current with Parlor is to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Iron District
Finally, The Iron District, the only food hall in the metro located north of the river, specifically in North Kansas City. I spoke with the Iron District’s Director of Communications, Madison Bollinger. “Iron District began in October 2019 as an “incubator” of sorts to help small businesses get their footing before expanding to larger brick-and- mortar locations. We wanted a variety of chef-driven concepts, each in their own niche, that were graduated from pop-ups or food trucks, but wanted to test their concept as a business before making a larger commitment,” Bollinger shared. The Iron District is unique in that aspect, and because it’s an outdoor location, and one consisting of shipping containers. “We have bars, retail shops, and restaurants all operating out of repurposed shipping containers. We offer a casual and friendly atmosphere for the community to gather. We’re somewhere you can bring your dog, your first date, or your family. There’s also not many places you can shop, listen to live music, grab a drink, and have seven different food options, three bars, and three retailers all in one stop,” Bollinger stated.
Photos courtesy of Iron District
Bollinger says customers can stay in the know about The Iron District on their website at IronDistrictNKC.com. The Iron District is open Wednesday through Sunday. Bollinger encourages you to come down and see them. I just might do that! You might think about doing that, too!
