After shooting, beloved KC diner ends 24-hour service: ‘Deeply disheartened’
Town Topic, the beloved Kansas City burger brand, for years has proudly hailed its 24-hour service.
In an announcement Tuesday afternoon, the business said that it would, for now, back away from that schedule at its Crossroads location at 2021 Broadway Blvd. and close at 8 p.m., citing safety concerns and a fatal shooting in a nearby parking lot last month.
“This has deeply disheartened our staff and company as a whole,” Town Topic said in a social media post about the move.
The business said it had pleaded with Kansas City police and Crossroads officials over the years to secure the area around the restaurant but said, “Unfortunately, we have not received adequate support to make this happen. We have exhausted all of our resources in an attempt to keep Town Topic safe for our staff, customers, and community. Unruly crowds that loiter in the unstaffed and unsecured corner lot next to Town Topic, where the shooting on April 26th occurred, have increased safety concerns and budgets over the last years.”
That shooting happened around 4:15 a.m. April 26 and left a 21-year-old man dead. Off-duty police officers were working at Town Topic at the time.
“We have reached a point where we don’t feel comfortable to serve our customers during overnight hours,” Town Topic said. “Over the years, we have attempted in multiple ways to keep the lot next to us secure, but since the empty lot is owned by an out-of-state company, we have been unable to do so. It has become increasingly frustrating that the out-of-state company profits off of the Kansas City community with no regard for the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.”
The post said ownership hoped to find a safer way to operate during overnight hours at the location. It also said Town Topic was working on launching online ordering and all-night delivery soon.
“We are forever thankful for the continued support from our customers, who have made Town Topic into what is today,” Town Topic said. ”Our number one priority is to provide a safe place for those customers, our staff, and the community who have supported us for the past 89 years.”
