The Cashew in downtown KC is changing owners, name and concept

The local owners of restaurants on the Country Club Plaza, in Westport and in Lawrence have now taken over the Cashew.

Zach Marten and Bret Springs have formed Back Napkin Restaurant Group and are leasing the 20,000-square-foot, four-story building at 2000 Grand Blvd.

They plan to close the Cashew on Feb. 13 and reopen it in mid-May under a new name and new concept.

They said they were attracted to the location because of the “hotels that are popping up or proposed in the area.”

“It is right in the center of the Crossroads action and it has unbelievable views of downtown,” Marten said.

Marten and Springs opened Coal Vines restaurant on the Plaza in early 2011 and then Westport Ale House in March 2014. They opened RND Corner Grille in the former Round Corner Drug space at 801 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence in mid-December.

The Cashew opened in fall 2005 as a upscale version of the popular Peanut locations. The restaurant and bar are on the first two levels, a private event space is on the third level and the fourth floor is currently empty. The event space will remain open during the rebranding.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 9:42 AM with the headline "The Cashew in downtown KC is changing owners, name and concept."