Openings & Closings

Johnson County restaurant is sitting vacant. Here’s the chain hoping to build there

Culver’s sells onion rings, crinkle-cut fries and its popular cheese curds.
Culver’s sells onion rings, crinkle-cut fries and its popular cheese curds. Culver's

A long-vacant Olathe building at 13515 S. Mur Len Road may be nearing its final days.

It was once a China Star Super Buffet, which opened in 1997 but closed.

Now Culver’s — a Wisconsin-based chain with locations across the Kansas City area — is seeking approval to tear the old building down and build a 4,660-square-foot restaurant, according to development plans submitted to the city last month.

Known for its custard, ButterBurgers and cheese curds, Culver’s has nearby restaurants including another in Olathe at 18685 W. 151st St. and in Overland Park at 8600 W. 135th St. Other popular menu items include its mushroom and Swiss burger on a toasted, lightly buttered bun.

Culver’s wants to build a restaurant at the site of a former Chinese buffet.
Culver’s wants to build a restaurant at the site of a former Chinese buffet. Google Maps

Like its other locations, the proposed restaurant would have a drive-thru and parking lot, as well as indoor seating. It would sit just south of Fuzzy’s Tacos and The Big Biscuit.

The project must be approved by the planning commission before construction can begin.

Culver’s submitted renderings of its proposed building to the city last month.
Culver’s submitted renderings of its proposed building to the city last month.

Craig and Lea Culver opened the first Culver’s in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1984.

This story was originally published September 11, 2023 at 5:30 AM.

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Jenna Thompson
The Kansas City Star
Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.
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