Johnson County city to consider new plan for proposed restaurant in Houlihan’s
Weeks after a proposed restaurant in a former Houlihan’s appeared it was about to fizzle, the city of Fairway will consider a modified plan.
American Fire, a concept headed up by local restaurant mogul Whitney VinZant, may still be on the table.
The city will consider a modified development plan for the concept Monday evening, according to city documents, with an updated project budget and timeline. In this new plan, VinZant is proposing an additional 2% on sales tax within the CID, which only includes the restaurant at 2820 W. 53rd St.
The CID sales tax “cap” remains the same, at over $1.5 million.
Now, the project is set to begin construction by August with an estimated opening date of April 2027, according to city documents.
Prior to this new proposal, VinZant had told The Star in March that the restaurant deal “may not occur.”
“We would like American Fire to open for Fairway and surrounding communities,” VinZant wrote, “and are excited about the restaurant team, culinary and design, but the investment required to build a first-class restaurant in this property, which has been vacant for nearly six years, limits an economic benefit in doing so.
“Given the required investment both up front, and ongoing, occupancy and taxes, and the city’s reluctance to provide meaningful resources has made this prospect challenging. I hope it occurs, but am not sure if it will.”
American Fire was first approved by the city in December 2025.
Since then, VinZant has been negotiating with the property owner about the condition of the building and work that would need to be done.
The proposal contains a representative menu, with prices in the $20 to $45 range, though the proposal indicates that specialty steaks may run higher.
Some offerings on the sample menu: a raw bar with fresh oysters; braised chicken, Carolina barbecue, flatbreads, fresh-baked biscuits, fresh pasta and short ribs.
VinZant did not respond to The Star’s requests for comment Friday afternoon.
The entrepreneur owns a slew of restaurants in the Kansas City area: BRGR, Cafe Trio, Gram & Dun, Taco Republic and more. He operates the newly opened Crossroads jazz bar Ted’s Taproom, which is owned by John Copaken.
Houlihan’s closed in late 2019, with its Leawood spot recently following suit.
The 4900 W. 119th St. spot closed on March 27, and developers have filed plans to demolish the building and construct two buildings that house four restaurants.