Plaza restaurant blamed COVID for its closure. Now it will reopen elsewhere in KC

Parkway: Social Kitchen was one of the first area restaurant casualties at the start of the pandemic.

The Country Club Plaza operation closed in April “due to a loss in business caused by the COVID-19 shutdown.”

But the owners promised it would return nearby.

Now they are making good on that vow. A more casual version of Parkway, tentatively called Parkway Coffee & Bistro, is scheduled to open in midtown in late summer or early fall.

The owners, Trident Investment Group in Overland Park, are taking a former tire center at 3744 Broadway. After a remodeling, it will have outdoor seating, a drive-thru or walk-up window, and garage doors that will open in nicer weather.

Trident is still working on the menu, but it will have Parkway-inspired items, as well as “gourmet street tacos.”

“I think the Plaza has lost a lot of its traffic and shopping and interest,” said Scott Mars, partner in Trident. “Midtown is an up-and-coming area. And it has more reasonable rent for a much larger indoor/outdoor space.”

In a statement, a Plaza spokeswoman said: “It is no surprise that the pandemic and resulting state and local mandates have had a significant impact on dining and retail establishments across the U.S. With that said, the Plaza has tenants that continue to successfully service customers and maintain their popularity despite the circumstances.”

Trident is also planning a mid-May opening for Society in the Crossroads, in the former Jacobson’s spot at 2050 Central St. It will be a restaurant, lounge, art gallery and event space.

The company also owns Westport Ale House and its underground bar, the Fall, in Westport.

This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 11:31 AM.