New in Leawood: ‘Breezy beach’ coffee shop & bar, Thai restaurant, selfie studio, more

Leawood shopping centers are adding a variety of new tenants to entice consumers to venture out now that pandemic restrictions have eased — from a new Thai restaurant to a day spa to a selfie studio.

The resurgence comes even as Washington Prime Group, a majority owner of two Leawood shopping centers, Town Center Plaza and nearby Town Center Crossing, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month. The real estate investment trust, based in Columbus, Ohio, operates about 100 enclosed malls and strip centers across the country, according to Bloomberg.

Here’s what’s new in Leawood:

▪ Bamboo Penny’s. Chef Penny Mufuka, a native of Thailand, and her husband, Doug, have opened their third area restaurant.

Bamboo Penny’s, at 5270 W. 116th Place in Park Place, offers “authentic Thai cuisine and elaborate cocktails.” A first floor patio has views of the square/ice rink. A second floor lounge, The Bamboo Room, has a retractable roof and will open in late summer to rent for private events.

The menu includes traditional Thai favorites such as pad thai and spring rolls, as well as such specialties as panang duck (crispy half duck deboned and served with bell peppers and a panang curry sauce), pineapple fried rice, mango duck, mango cheesecake and chocolate Rangoon.

Bamboo Penny’s also serves handcrafted cocktails such as a tamarind bourbon sour and the Thai Basil Lemondrop martini.

The Mufukas also own KC Thai in Overland Park and Thai House in south Kansas City.

▪ Outta the Blue. The owners of Made in KC have a new “breezy beach” coffee shop and bar at 5291 W. 116th Place, near Bamboo Penny’s in Park Place.

The menu includes pressed juices, vegan sandwiches, cocktails, beers and natural wines, coffee drinks, kombucha and chai. Local food vendors include Mattie’s Foods and Parisi.

A grab-and-go section includes such items as pesto grilled chicken, veggie wraps, fruit cups, and roast beef and fontina sandwiches.

Two 12-foot palm trees flank the entrance, and the seats along one window are swings that are quickly snapped up by children.

▪ Selfie Wrld KC: Franchisees for the selfie museum and do-it-yourself photography studio have opened a location at 5029 W. 117th St. on the north side of Town Center Plaza. It has 14 interactive photo exhibits and rotating seasonal sets for family photos, date nights, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, private events, team building or solo visits.

▪ And in case you missed it, Moda Domani, custom-made men’s suits, along with other men’s apparel and accessories, opened in October at 11543 Ash St. in Park Place. The locally owned shop was founded in 1986 in Arizona and moved to Kansas City in 1999.

▪ Also opening: AKT, a dance-cardio and strength training studio, 5033 W. 117th St. in Town Center Plaza, and The Woodhouse Day Spa at 4431 W. 119th St. in Town Center Crossing (near The Roasterie), offering skin treatments, massage therapies, body treatments and more.

Coming later

▪ Fabletics, an activewear chain, plans a July 10-11 grand opening at 4343 W. 119th St. in Town Center Crossing.

▪ MassageLuXe Spa: Franchisee plans a late summer opening at 11536 Ash St. in Park Place.

▪ Offline By Aerie, women’s leggings for lounge and workout, plans a summer opening at 5044 W. 119th St. in Town Center Plaza.

▪ Plate restaurant in East Brookside plans to open at 11655 Ash St. in Park Place in late fall or early winter.

▪ First Ascent Climbing & Fitness plans a 25,000-square-foot center on the north side of Town Center Plaza. They hope to open in mid-to-late 2022.