Late Summer Opening Anticipated for Strang Food Hall at Plaza

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 20, 2023)

By Kevin Collison

The new Strang Chef Collective food hall planned for the Cascade Hotel being just north of the Country Club Plaza is considered by its operator a “bullish” vote of confidence in the venerable shopping district.

“We’ve always targeted the Plaza as an opportunity to bring our chef-driven concept,” said Shawn Craft, CEO of the Strang Chef Collective.

“We’re obviously confident in the direction of the Plaza and we think we’ll be part of the catalyst to create a positive experience there.

“When you think of Kansas City, the Plaza is often in the conversation and it’s a landmark.”

A rendering of the Strang Chef Collective planned for the Cascade hotel. (Rendering by SixTwentyOne)

With the Plaza turning 100 this year, there’s been active community conversation about its future, prompted by concerns about its management, tenant lineup, physical condition and security. The new Plaza Area Council recently was created to help boost the area.

But with a $100 million hotel complex being built by Capital Management at 46th Terrace and Wornall Road, the private sector still sees opportunity in the area. The 180-room Cascade boutique hotel will be paired with an Aloft that opened in January.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with the Capital Management team,” Craft said.

The new food hall, which is expected to open in August, will occupy parts of two levels in the Cascade. It will feature four chef-driven concepts and two bars. Craft said commitments have been made for two restaurant spaces and a third is nearing completion.

Another view of the food hall planned for the hotel. (Rendering by SixTwentyOne)

There will be two food concepts and a bar on the ground level accessed by an entrance at the corner of 46th Terrace and Wornall. Upstairs on the lobby level, there will be two more food concepts and a bar that will open with an 80-seat outdoor patio overlooking the Plaza.

The Strang Chef Collective also will provide room service to guests at both hotels, the Aloft is connected to the Cascade, and also catering for activities at the Cascade’s event space. Chefs from the entire collective, not just the Cascade, will be able to cater there.

Strang Chef Collective also has operations at the Edison Building in Old Overland Park and the lightwell office tower in downtown Kansas City. The Collective will occupy about 11,000 square-feet in the Cascade hotel.

Craft said the Edison Strang Hall is doing great business and the downtown operation, which opened in December, is slowly picking up as more workers return to the office tower.

“We’re anxious for summer to come around and more office employees come back above us,” he said.