Openings & Closings

After nearly six years, KC Cajun restaurant known for its frozen drinks will close

KC Daiquiri Shop will close at 1116 Grand Blvd.
KC Daiquiri Shop will close at 1116 Grand Blvd. tljungblad@kcstar.com

Cajun/creole restaurant KC Daiquiri Shop will close permanently, the restaurant announced on social media Monday.

The downtown restaurant, 1116 Grand Blvd., will close Sunday, Dec. 1.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of our beloved KC Daiquiri Shop on Dec 1st,” the restaurant wrote in part. “We have faced a slow economy, challenges with local and state government and ongoing legal battles with neighboring businesses that have been less than supportive.

“Thank you for the love, support, and memories over the years. We will carry the spirit of the DaqShop and the connections we’ve made into whatever comes next. Keep an eye out for what lies ahead—we are excited for the future!”

KC Daiquiri Shop sells Cajun food and has been known for its frozen daiquiris.
KC Daiquiri Shop sells Cajun food and has been known for its frozen daiquiris. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Fans of the restaurant left supportive messages on the restaurant’s social media page:

“Such a sad day in KC,” wrote one user.

“NOOO!!! I am so sad. Sending Love.” said another.

The restaurant did not immediately respond to The Star’s requests for comment Monday afternoon.

Kinley Strickland, one of the owners of KC Daiquiri Shop
Kinley Strickland, one of the owners of KC Daiquiri Shop Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Owners Kinley Strickland and Calvin Vick first opened KC Daiquiri Shop in 2019, in the old Qudos Cigar and Cognac Bar. It sells wings, po’boys, deep fried chicken, frozen daiquiris, gumbo and more.

The duo expanded to Overland Park in 2021 and opened KC Daiquiri Shop Bistreaux at 8725 Metcalf Ave., offering even more Cajun menu items. It was one of the city’s few Black-owned restaurants before it closed last year.

“We had a good run in OP and gave the community something they had never seen before. But unfortunately all good things must come to an end,” co-owner Kinley Strickland said at the time.

Bistreaux will soon be home to Mexican restaurant Don Chuy’s Fresh Mex and Cantina.

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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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