Johnson County restaurant and furniture store to close for owners’ retirement
More than two years ago, Jim Zhang and his friend and business partner, Catherine Kot, opened a dumpling shop and furniture store in the former Winstead’s in Leawood.
Zhang said the plan was always to remodel the space, operate Rakar Dumpling House for a bit, then retire. At 66, Zhang said the time has come.
Rakar’s last day will be Dec. 21.
“We did very, very good, our business,” Zhang said.
The space at 4971 W. 135th St. in Leawood sells furniture from Zhang (who’s been in the furniture business for 20 years) and Chinese food from Kot, whose parents opened downtown Overland Park’s Dragon Inn in the ‘70s.
With the closing approaching, Zhang said they plan to offer special deals and new cuisine until Rakar’s last day.
“Not only goodbye, but a celebration,” he said. “Every day looks like a party.”
Rakar announced its farewell on social media a few days ago, encouraging customers to come in and use their reward points before the spot closes for good.
Zhang said people listened. The restaurant has been flooded with support.
Rakar sells pork soup dumplings, chicken dumplings, egg drop soup, sesame shrimp and more.
It’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Winstead’s was founded in 1940 and filed for bankruptcy in 2020, leading to the closure of its Leawood location and others.
It still has a spot in Overland Park at 10711 Roe Ave. and near the Plaza at 101 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.