Openings & Closings

Wichita-based pizza restaurant ‘excited’ to open first Kansas City spot downtown

Gambino’s Pizza, a chain based in Wichita, is coming to downtown Kansas City.
Gambino’s Pizza, a chain based in Wichita, is coming to downtown Kansas City.

Wichita-based Gambino’s Pizza will open a downtown Kansas City location early next year.

The company has signed a lease for a space at 1111 Main St., in the Town Pavilion building.

While the location has some spots near Kansas City — in Gardner, Eudora and Spring Hill — administrative director Barb Miller said this is the first spot in Kansas City proper.

“We’re excited to be there,” Miller said. “Hopefully the downtown area works well for us.”

Previously, Gambino’s Pizza had spots in Grain Valley and Parkville. Its Lenexa spot, 8725 Bourgade St., closed a few years ago and is now home to Burg & Barrel.

Historically, Gambino’s is found in many small towns across Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska.

Miller said Gambino’s is hoping the high-traffic area in downtown KC will mean plenty of business for the chain.

“I think they’re really anxious to get a good lunch crowd for people who work in the area,” she said.

Gambino’s pizza pies include The Mobster (beef, pork sausage, mushroom, pepperoni, Italian sausage, green pepper, onion, black olives, Canadian bacon, salami and extra cheese), and Taco Pizza (beef, onion, cheese blend, lettuce, refried beans, fresh tomato and taco sauce).

Sandwiches include the Super Italian Sub, Meaty Meatball and Roast Beef. Pasta and calzones are on the menu, too.

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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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