Two natural and organic grocery chains will soon be going head to head in Overland Park.</p><p>Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is planning an April 24 opening in the former Borders Books & Music space in Regency Park, 9108 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. That&#x92;s 54 seconds and 0.33 of a mile from a Whole Foods Market at 7401 W. 91st St., according to MapQuest.</p><p>Kemper Isley, co-president and son of the company&#x92;s founders, said the chain likes to locate near Whole Foods Markets. One of its more successful stores in Boulder, Colo., is across a parking area from a Whole Foods, and in other markets such as Dallas and Denver, the two chains are across the street from each other.</p><p>&#x93;If Whole Foods is in the vicinity then it is a plus to us,&#x94; he said. </p><p>Consumers will buy products at Natural Grocers and then go to Whole Foods for things Natural Grocer doesn&#x92;t carry, and vice versa.</p><p>Isley said the Lakewood, Colo.-based company also wanted to expand in its neighboring state &#x97; it also has stores in Lawrence and Wichita, as well as Columbia &#x97; and the new location&#x92;s demographics fit very well: well educated people who care about their food. The company would like to open two more stores in the area.</p><p>Natural Grocers has 53 locations in nine states. The stores sell most standard grocery items but with an emphasis on fresh, organic and natural products, including only USDA organic produce, vegetarian items, farm-raised meats and gluten-free items. It also tries to keep prices competitive with other area organic offerings.</p><p>The stores have &#x93;health coaches&#x94; who offer free advice for healthier choices, and for people on special diets. They also offer cooking classes and guest speakers. The stores have some prepared foods but not deli departments.</p><p>The Overland Park store will open with about 20 employees and build up to about 50.</p><p>The grocery also is a good catch for the landlords. The 28,617-square-foot former Borders store is too big for many retailers these days. Natural Grocers also will be a strong consumer draw, so Regency Park may attract other exclusive retailers. </p><p><span class="subhead">Another try for tapas</p><p></span>Erika Koike first tried offering a varied menu of contemporary Japanese tapas at her Overland Park restaurant.</p><p>But One Bite Japanese Grill drew a lot of families who preferred her entrees over the tapas. So after five years in the suburbs, Koike has moved the restaurant to Westport and resurrected her original idea as Sama Zama.</p><p>&#x93;It means &#x91;different kind.&#x92; We have different tapas, small plates for people to share,&#x94; said Koike, a native of Japan. &#x93;They get to experiment, experience more of the menu. Westport has a lot of single professionals, and they are willing to try new items.&#x94;</p><p> But Koike is still drawing former Overland Park customers, and she has included entrees on the menu.</p><p> Items include rice, fried rice and Ramen noodle dishes, sides such as edamame, Japanese style savory pancakes (referred to as Japanese pizzas), and entrees including plum wine marinated steak, spare ribs, grilled chicken in melted cheese and shrimp-tofu-zucchini in spicy tomato sauce.</p><p>The d&#xE9;cor reflects the cuisine, with one original brick wall a nod to the past, but orange/pink and gray walls and white modular chairs giving it a more modern feeling.</p><p>The restaurant, at 425 Westport Road, is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays.</p><p><span class="subhead">Step lively</p><p></span>Crocs &#x97; the iconic clog company &#x97; is coming to Overland Park with its first area retail store.</p><p>The Colorado-based company will open a store in mid-March in the Oak Park Mall, 95th Street and Quivira Road, offering shoes for the family.</p><p>Crocs, founded in 2002, now sells its shoes internationally and has more than 250 styles, including its famous clog &#x97; made from lightweight, proprietary &#x93;Croslite&#x94; material and offered in lots of colors. Crocs also has boots, flats, wedges, heels, sneakers and loafers.</p><p>It will take the former Picture People space in the mall.</p><p><span class="subhead">Back rent</p><p></span>Landlords of two tavern operations with ties to KC Hopps Ltd. want back rent of nearly a million dollars. Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership has filed against SportsBarPlaza LLC, doing business as 810 Zone. Highwoods is seeking possession of the property at 4686 Broadway. It also wants $451,862 for unpaid rent, along with interest, attorney fees and other costs.</p><p>The owners of 810 Zone said they were trying to renegotiate their lease on the Plaza. If they couldn&#x92;t, they would relocate.</p><p>Zona Rosa Development LLC also has won a judgment against former tenant O&#x92;Dowd&#x92;s Little Dublin for $444,597 for past rent, costs and fees.</p><p>KC Hopps is a minority partner in both but said it was not a guarantor on either lease.