Permit snafu temporarily closes Waldo restaurant. New owners say ‘the ball got dropped’

Waldo’s Brick + Mortar restaurant and bar is under new ownership.

But that was news to the Kansas City Health Department.

Food permits are non-transferable if an establishment is sold, according to a department spokesman. Brick + Mortar’s new owners were required to fill out a permit and have the restaurant reinspected before they could continue operations.

They took over in April — mid shelter-in-place — and reopened when some restrictions were lifted in May.

The restaurant was inspected June 26 and had no critical violations. The new owners said it was still a transition period where they were creating a new company, C&J Waldo LLC.

During a July 22 inspection, the inspector discovered the new ownership — and Brick + Mortar had to temporarily close until the permit could be updated.

“The ball got dropped,” said James Bueckers, owner with Chase West.

A sign posted on the front door says the restaurant is temporarily closed to complete some renovations and address a plumbing issue. Bueckers said they are using the down time to make improvements and hope to reopen soon.

They previously revamped the menu, upgrading ingredients and adding some new items.

The original Brick + Mortar owners took over the former Tanner’s Bar and Grill space and opened just over a year ago.