New Taco Republic opens in Prairie Village's Corinth Square

Taco Republic, an authentic taqueria with house-made margaritas, is opening its second KC location tomorrow, June 10th, in Corinth Square at 4100 W. 83rd Street in Prairie Village, Kan.

The new, larger location replaces the previous Arby's and features almost double the interior seating capacity, a 2,000-SF patio and is its first concept drive-thru.

Owner Whitney VinZant and his team worked with local architecture and interior design firm, Generator Studio on the new design and vision for Taco Republic.

“We worked hard to establish the brand and its attitude with Bread and Butter Concepts ten years ago at the flagship location and were reinvigorated when Whitney Vin Zant acquired the brand. At at our first meeting he said, ‘This place is about tacos, it should be fun.’ That loose attitude about the environment, coupled with Whitney's exacting execution on the food and drink, are the drivers of the evolution of the brand that you will see at the second store,” said Generator Studio co-founder, Mike Kress, AIA, NCARB.

The L-shape patio is designed with a hand-laid stone perimeter, adobe-colored crushed granite flooring, a steel and wood beam awning, landscaping and fire pits, cornhole game area and seating for more than 100 guests.

The new Taco Republic will serve its signature menu; including street tacos, bowls, enchiladas, a smothered burrito and more. The Corinth location will mark the debut of new margarita and mojito flights, offered at both locations.

Grand opening events include giving the first 50 guests in line a customized card for a free taco every day for a year (dine-in only, one per family) and handing out 300 wristbands during the hours of 11 a.m. to noon, 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on June 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. The wristbands entitle those wearing them to free queso each time they dine at Taco Republic for the next 365 days.

Taco Republic is open Monday from 4-9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to dine-in, a limited version of the menu is available for carryout and delivery online through ChowNow.

VinZant and operating partner Corey Gonzalez also own local favorites Gram & Dun, Va Bene, Louie’s Wine Dive, Fresko (Des Moines), The Latin King (Des Moines) and BRGR.

New construction continues at John Knox Village

John Knox Village has broke ground on the Meadows II apartment building, an $18 million, 121,410-SF addition that will tie in with the existing Meadows building built in 2017.

“This is a very top-end, very nice facility,” said Jeff Wasinger, vice president of the Haren Companies, the general contractor on the project. “To be part of something that is as first-class as this project is going to be a lot of fun for us.”

The four-story building will sit atop a 52-space parking garage and add 52 apartments with full kitchens, washers and dryers, sunrooms, walk-in closets, balconies and common spaces on each floor for amenities. There will also be ample space for residents, with floor plans averaging 1,257-SF per unit.

“The Meadows II project is a continuation of the redevelopment of our campus.  ‘Reimagining John Knox Village’ was a phrase we used a few years ago and still holds true today.  Our new project development has continued full speed ahead even through the pandemic.  Now more than ever, retirees are seeing the value of community and all the support possible through living at John Knox Village,” said John Knox Village president and CEO, Dan Rexroth.

The Meadows II is part of John Knox Village's redevelopment plan and is expected to be open to residents in late summer 2022.

“People who are ready to move to senior living are at a life transition and John Knox is successful because they care about their tenants and clients and they do it the right way,” said Wasinger.

In addition to senior living, Haren also specializes in municipal projects, fire stations, retail, commercial, historic renovation, mixed use, multifamily and daycare.

Haren Companies, a fourth-generation, family-run business based in Lenexa, Kan., has been in the senior living market for around 15 years and has done multiple projects for John Knox Village — including the Village Assisted Living 400 wing, renovations for the original Meadows building and a memory care unit.

Leawood's Park Place adds seven new tenants

Seven new local and national retail tenants will soon call Park Place Village, a 484,002-SF office and retail property in Leawood, Kan., home.

Commercial real estate investment firm, KBS, recently announced the new tenants to include: national day spa MassageLuXe; Plate, a modern Italian restaurant; Bamboo Penny’s, a Thai restaurant and rooftop lounge; Ice Cream Bae, a creative ice cream shop; an all-new island-themed coffee shop and bar concept, Outta the Blue; Moda Domani, a provider of custom-made men’s suits, clothing and accessories; and Moshiri Jewelry, who sells custom-designed jewelry.

Matt Rau of CBRE represented KBS in the seven recent lease transactions, which range in size from 803 SF to 5,972 SF.

“We have seen strong interest from retailers who want to set up shop at Park Place Village, a highly desirable location in the Leawood market that attracts a steady stream of visitors from near and far,” said Rau.

The seven new tenants complement the existing retail offerings at Park Place Village; including popular restaurants 801 Chophouse, BurgerFi and RA Sushi Bar; and fitness options, Orangetheory and The Bar Method, among others.

“We thoughtfully curated retailers that align with what local residents are demanding. This includes innovative concepts that are unique to this market,” said Dan Park, senior vice president and asset manager for KBS.

In addition to Park Place Village’s one-of-a-kind shopping experience, numerous events are held at the property’s outdoor community courtyard – a place Kansas City residents gather for events throughout the year – including the upcoming summer concert series, movies in the square and the all-new Park Place Farmers’ Market, according to a release.

“Park Place Village has become the central gathering spot for residents and visitors of all ages and interests in Kansas City,” said Park.

Completed in 2013, Park Place Village consists of 10 buildings that include a mix of office, retail tenants and nearby residential space. In addition to the retail offerings, amenities for office tenants at the property include a fitness center, bike storage, EV car-charging stations, on-site parking, a rooftop view terrace, an energy-management system, nearby shopping, transportation and entertainment.

The surrounding area features parking garages, the Aloft Hotel, 201 apartments, 30 townhouses and 27 lofts. Future planned phases of development for the area surrounding the property include another hotel and additional multifamily rental housing.

“The new retail tenants accentuate the exceptional office experience at this center, making it even more attractive for companies in the area,” said Park.

Park Place Village is located at 11549 Ash Street in Leawood, part of Kansas City’s South Johnson County submarket.

Please click here for photos of Park Place Village.