One outlet store expanding, one closing

Express Factory Outlet is coming to Kansas City.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed that it is in negotiations for an area site, but since the lease hasn’t been signed yet she wouldn’t discuss the location.

The outlet offers discounts on Express fashion-forward clothing for women and men.

In other area outlet store news, a spokesman for Legends Outlets Kansas City in Kansas City, Kan., did confirm that an original tenant, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, is scheduled to close Dec. 28 at 1837 Village West Parkway, B129.

Officials with Tommy Hilfiger Outlet would not confirm the closing.

Quick’s closes after 50 years in KCK

After 50 years of operations, Quick’s Bar-B-Q closed early this month at 1007 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kan.

“I’ve been doing this my entire life, since I was a little kid and solid for the last 40 years,” said Ron Quick, son of the founder. “My wife and I had a goal to make it to our 50th anniversary and we have succeeded in doing that and I want to get out on my terms and while things are good.”

Quick said ongoing road construction on Merriam Lane also has blocked some access into the restaurant.

“It is hard and these little mom-and-pop folks, you see them dropping. And we have at least another year of this so it will be a struggle,” he said.

Dustin Quick, Ron’s son, has served as general manager of the restaurant and will continue to oversee the company’s food truck, Quick’s on Wheels, which opened in mid-2013, as well as its catering operation.

“It has been very prosperous lately,” Dustin Quick said.

Quick’s also will continue to sell its barbecue sauce online at www.quicksbbq.com.

Ron’s father, Earl Quick, founded the restaurant in 1964 and Ron took over as manager in 1978. He became the owner in the mid-1990s. Most days he was at work by 7 a.m. But on Wednesdays, since the late 1970s, he was in by 3 a.m. to smoke as many as 500 slabs for the daily special.

“It has been a pleasure to have a been in friendly competition with the other barbecues and I have had great respect for all of them,” he said. “ I’m just ready to do something different while I still can and enjoy life. It’s kind of an emotional thing to close but it has been a good run.”

Quick bites

▪ 39 Bevco Restaurant & Retail Group, parent company of Jon Russell’s Kansas City Barbeque, has been expanding the concept around town.

This year, the company put a Jon Russell’s in its 39th Street Market in Midtown. It also converted one of its other restaurant spaces, at 13145 State Line Road in south Kansas City, to a Jon Russell’s.

Now it has expanded Jon Russell’s original location at 12094 W. 135th St. in Overland Park. It took a space next door to enlarge its kitchen and add a new dining area. The restaurant previously seated only 19 people and now seats 90.

The 39 Bevco group also offers Jon Russell barbecue to-go at its Prairie Market convenience store at 9350 Renner Boulevard in Lenexa.

Jon Russell made Parade magazine’s list of the nation’s best barbecues in mid-2013.

▪ Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant has rolled out a new food truck.

The owners spent two years planning and developing Iggy's GreenGo and it is now available for special events, festivals, office parties and more. Menu items include street tacos, dip and chips, carne asada nacho fries, and churros for dessert. It also serves “walking tacos,” a taco salad in a bag of Doritos.

“It’s another outlet for us to promote our brand,” said Steven May, a partner in Salty Iguana Restaurant Company Inc.

Salty Iguana was founded in 1991 in Prairie Village and later added locations in Independence, Olathe, Overland Park and Lawrence.

This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 3:16 PM with the headline "One outlet store expanding, one closing."