Owners of Waldo ramen bar announce closing with ‘a heavy heart,’ blame current economy

Waldo’s Boru Ramen Bar started as a Tuesday night special at Summit Grill.

But it was so popular, Summit Grill relocated down the block and Boru took over its space as a full service restaurant in early 2017.

Now it is closing permanently.

Owners Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy, and their culinary director, Po Wang, issued a statement late Tuesday, saying it was with “a heavy heart” that they will not reopen the restaurant due to the current economic environment.

“We first want to thank the amazing Boru team. We are so proud of what you have created and served over the last three years, earning a reputation as one of Kansas City’s top ramen restaurants. Your commitment to hospitality and the dining experience was nothing short of remarkable and it’s because of you that the legacy of Boru will live on.

“This is a tough but very real decision to make for the overall health and vitality of our restaurants as a whole. To our loyal customers, thank you for all of the support. We look forward to serving you at one of our other restaurants soon.”

They couldn’t be reached for further comment.

They also posted the statement on Boru’s Facebook page and within an hour it had 182 comments.

“So sad to see this! But totally understand how hard it is to stay afloat in our current situation! Wishing you all the best!” said one fan, and another added: “Oh no!!!! I will have a disappointed 9 year old.......Boru has been his birthday choice for the last 2 years. He was already talking about going for his 10th birthday later this month.”

A few posters asked the owners to close one of their other restaurants on the block instead of Boru, while one wanted the recipe for the spicy miso ramen and is willing to pay.

One Facebook follower simply said: “Best Ramen I’ve ever had.”

Menu items also included steamed baos, rice entrees, Asian beers, and Japanese and Taiwanese whisky.

The restaurant, at 500 W. 75th St., was open for carry-out during the shelter-in-place order for COVID-19 and had a steady stream of cars picking up orders, as well as walk-up customers from the neighborhood.

The dining room reopened on May 15 but temporarily shuttered again on June 3 when one of its employees tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The owners also temporarily closed Boru’s sister restaurants on the block — Summit Grill and South of Summit Taqueria & Tequila to bring in an outside company to extensively clean the operations. The team members tested negative for COVID-19, a company spokesman said, but they will remain in quarantine for the 14 day period..