Another Fairway Restaurant Deal Bites the Dust

Plans to bring a new restaurant to the former Houlihan’s have fallen through, leaving one of Johnson County’s most high-profile restaurant properties back on the market.

Just when it appeared the long-vacant former Houlihan’s in Fairway (2820 W. 53rd St.) had finally found its next tenant, the deal has fallen apart.

Kansas City magazine learned that W. VinZant Restaurants—the local restaurant group behind Gram & Dun, Louie’s Wine Dive and several other well-known concepts—has decided not to move forward with its proposed upscale American restaurant, American Fire, at the highly visible Fairway location.

The deal, brokered by Block & Company, would have brought a new fine-dining concept to a building that has sat vacant for more than five years.

The former Houlihan’s has become one of the metro’s most closely watched restaurant properties. Located along heavily traveled Shawnee Mission Parkway, the site is a frequent topic of conversation among Fairway residents and the thousands of commuters who pass it each day. Over the past several years, multiple redevelopment proposals have surfaced, only to fall apart before crossing the finish line.

According to sources familiar with the project, American Fire had completed the city’s approval process and appeared to be on track to move forward. However due to lengthy and complicated process to get the restaurant development across the finish line, the restaurant group ultimately decided not to pursue the project at this time, leaving the property once again available. Despite the latest setback, interest in the site remains strong, according to sources. Kansas City magazine will continue to follow the story.

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