What Kansas City area restaurants closed in 2021? This barbecue spot is the latest

About two dozen restaurants have closed in the Kansas City area since the beginning of the year.

Some have specifically blamed the pandemic, saying plummeting sales left them owing vendors and thousands of dollars in back rent.

Smokeys on the Blvd BBQ planned to close at the end of business July 25, saying it never recovered from the pandemic and overhead is too high.

Smokin’ Joe’s Bar-B-Q & Catering in Olathe also closed this month saying they couldn’t find enough employees.

Other operations lost their leases, and they hope to reopen elsewhere.

Here’s a list of area restaurants that have closed in 2021:

▪ Avenues Bistro, Brookside, 338 W. 63rd St. It now has a carryout/delivery operation in Kansas City, Kansas.

▪ Batch Country Kitchen & ’Cue, 6253 N. Oak Trafficway.

▪ Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Restaurant, Summit Fair, 860 N.W. Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit.

▪ The Bite, City Market, 23 E. Third St.

▪ Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings, 1803 W. 39th St. It still has a Leawood location.

▪ Bob Wasabi Kitchen, 1726 W. 39th St. It lost its lease and plans to reopen in midtown.

▪ Dari Dine, 101 W. Kump St., Bonner Springs.

▪ Italian Delight by Avelluto, 6522 Martway St., Mission.

▪ La Bodega Tapas & Lounge, Town Center Crossing, 4311 W. 119th St., Leawood.

▪ Maui Express, 8750 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park.

▪ Red Dragon House, 312 W. Eighth St.

▪ Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, 7111 W. 95th St., Overland Park.

▪ Roasterie Cafe, Lenexa Public Market, Corrigan Station in the Crossroads, and 4223 Main St.

▪ Scooter’s, 11106 Antioch Road, Overland Park. The landlord did not renew the lease, and the multi-tenant building will be redeveloped.

▪ Smokeys on the Blvd BBQ, 8669 W. 135th St., Overland Park. Planned to close at the end of business on July 25.

▪ Smokin Joe’s Bar-B-Q, 519 E. Santa Fe St., Olathe.

▪ Southern Charm Gelato Shoppe, Country Club Plaza, 511 Nichols Road.

▪ Tatsu’s French Restaurant, 4603 W. 90th St, Prairie Village. The owner retired.

▪ Town Topic, 6018 Johnson Drive, Mission.

▪ Whopper Bar, Power & Light District, 1350 Walnut St.

▪ Zoes Kitchen, Country Club Plaza, 100 Ward Parkway. The logo is off the building, but Plaza officials would not confirm if it is closed permanently. Zoes Kitchen officials did not return calls or emails on the closing of that location or the status of the other area Zoes Kitchen locations.

This story was originally published July 14, 2021 at 4:03 PM.