Gourmet burgers and craft beers are the specialties at the aptly named The Burg & Barrel.

Jake Chappelow, co-owner of Bar West in Shawnee and Conroy’s Public House in Overland Park, is a partner in the restaurant and pub with Amanda Chambers, who has been in the area restaurant and bar business for a dozen years.

They took over the former Peanut on 76th space at 7042 W. 76th St., in a shopping center just south of the CVS/pharmacy on the east side of Metcalf Avenue.

The space was extensively remodeled for a neighborhood bar atmosphere featuring photos of Boulevard Brewing Co. It has a dozen beers on tap, including several beers by Boulevard along with bottles of local and regional craft beers.

The made-from-scratch menu items include Togarashi crusted calamari and pepper jack cubes for appetizers, salads like barbecue chicken and teriyaki salmon, a variety of burgers, sandwiches and wraps, and entrees like fish and chips and Kansas City strip. It also uses meat from local vendors.

“Downtown Overland Park really has a nice feel to it, what we really liked about the area, and with the farmers’ market just down the way we can keep it local and as fresh as possible,” Chappelow said.

New in Independence

Construction is under way in Independence Center for two new retail tenants.

Kirkland’s 10,248-square-foot store is scheduled to open in early to mid-April with a grand opening in May. It will be on the upper level facing 39th Street with its own entrance.

Kirkland’s, which was founded in 1966, is a specialty retailer of home décor items, including framed art and picture frames, mirrors, candles, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products. The stores also offer an assortment of gifts and seasonal merchandise.

Earthbound Trading Co., which sells imported gifts, home décor, jewelry, apparel and accessories, also plans a late March or early April opening

In good company

Fast Company magazine has named Applebee’s as the No. 2 most innovative company in food as part of its most innovative companies 2013 feature.

Kansas City-based Applebee’s was cited for “using a sense of humor to drive two years of same-store growth,” including using Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis (who grew up in Overland Park) to voice its ad campaign called “See You Tomorrow.” The campaign launched in July 2012.

Applebee’s also is continuing to update the look and feel of the more than 1,900 franchise owned restaurants throughout the country. All of the restaurants are scheduled to be remodeled by the end of 2014. It also has remodeled its 23 corporate-owned restaurants, which are all in the Kansas City area.

Grand opening

Unique Finds, 7140 W. 80th St., Overland Park, which specializes in “fairly traded” products that support Christian mission groups and people in deep poverty, will have its grand opening Thursday through Saturday with treats each day.