In an ‘unexpected’ move, Kansas City grocery store is closing after three decades

In a surprising move, Ball’s Sun Fresh Market in the Red Bridge Shopping Center will close.

Officials with Balls Food Stores in Kansas City, Kansas, have not confirmed the closing, but store employees are telling customers the news.

The landlord, Lane4 Property Group, said Friday that the closing was “unexpected” and that it would close by the end of the month.

Lane4 purchased the south Kansas City neighborhood center in 2015 and then spent about $10 million to renovate it.

Since then they have added such tenants as Barrio Mexican Kitchen + Bar, Tanner’s Bar & Grill, Cookies and Creamery, Caleb’s Breakfast & Lunch and Made in Kansas City Marketplace.

The closing will leave surrounding residents with few grocery store options within a five mile radius. Lane4 said they are in talks with another grocery store to take the Sun Fresh spot.

“The renovations have brought us a quality group of new tenants and we’re excited to build on the momentum and see what the future holds,” said Brandon Buckley, vice president of Lane4. “It hasn’t been easy but it has been a labor of love for us. We are committed to the center and we are committed to the neighborhood.”

Payless Store had operated in the space from at least 1980 until early 1991. The Lipari family then purchased it, remodeled the spot and reopened it as a Sun Fresh. Balls Food Store later took over the location.

This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 12:07 PM.