Over 50-year-old Johnson County restaurant to become new European-style cafe
Longtime Olathe residents likely remember the little red-and-white drive-in at 435 S. Parker St.
First opening in 1963, it was a franchise of Tastee Freez, which boasts to be the “original” soft serve ice cream company. It changed names and hands a few times: becoming Tastee Treat, then Tastee Foodz, which closed a few years ago.
But more than a month ago, Michaela Krueger saw the old space’s “for sale” sign and thought it would be the perfect place for a new European-style cafe — much like the one where she fell in love with now-husband Luka Pivk.
The couple plans to open Dolce Caffè in July, transforming the 60s-style burger joint into a modern, elegant espresso bar serving European coffee and pastries.
With gluten-free, hand crafted pastries and European espresso, it won’t be your run-of-the-mill Kansas City coffee shop.
“We’re bringing a taste of Europe to Olathe,” Pivk said.
The pair plan to serve coffee from Austrian brand Julius Meinl and scratch-made scones, croissants and other bakery items. They hope Dolce will be a restful environment for the community to connect.
The shop’s motto is the Italian phrase “dolce far niente.” (In English, that’s “the sweetness of doing nothing.”)
European coffee has some taste differences than what one might find in the U.S. For one, it’s meant to be enjoyed without sweeteners and syrups. (But don’t worry, American coffee-lovers, they’ll still have add-ins for you, too.)
“European coffeehouses are typically a lot about quality … The espresso is just different and stronger,” Krueger said. “It’s just way better.”
Krueger, a born and raised Midwesterner who’s been in corporate America for the past 17 years, tasted said espresso after deciding to take a vacation to Croatia last summer.
It was there, in a Croatian cafe, that she met Pivk. He was slinging espresso.
The two hit it off, and several cups of coffee later, he agreed to come to the United States to visit her.
“He just never left,” Krueger said, laughing.
Pivk also runs a digital marketing company, but he’s excited about being back behind a coffee bar. The space will have nods to several different European countries, not just Croatia.
“I want to have the most known coffee shop on social media in Kansas City,” Pivk said.
Inside, the Dolce will seat about 20 to 30 people. There will be extra seating outside, including a terrace the couple is planning to build. For on-the-go orders, it will offer curbside pickup.
Aesthetic-wise, it’ll follow a Greek and Italian-style: clean, white and modern.
Pivk emphasized a desire to provide comfortable seating in the space.
“We really want to be a space where people can have conversation and connect,” Krueger said. “But we also know people want convenience.”
The Olathe community has already noticed whispers of something happening along Parker Street. Those who the couple has talked to are thrilled to hear they’re bringing life back into the space.
“Our plumber and our electrician, they’re all like, ‘Oh my gosh, we used to ride our bike here,’” Krueger said.
Though it’s undergoing a major transformation, the couple wants to keep one nod to Dolce’s former life.
Its menu will include a cold brew float. They’re calling it “An Ode to Tastee Treat.”