6 minute read
What a Day!
Visitors and residents alike have a lot to choose from for food, entertainment, and more in Shawnee.
article by Bob Luder
photos by Kevin Anderson
It wasn’t that many years ago that Shawnee was considered a bedroom community. The northwestern Johnson County suburb was a fine place to come home to after a hard day’s work in downtown Kansas City, bustling Overland Park, or fast-growing Olathe. But a destination to hang out on weekends or shop on days off? Not at the top of many people’s to-do list.
Today, nothing could be further from the truth.
With three breweries, a speakeasy, a trendy restaurant, and a refurbished, active theater, the corner of Johnson Drive and Nieman—the heart of Shawnee—is more than just one of the best spots in the city or county; it’s a bright spot of the entire KC metropolitan area. Shawnee nightlife, and day-life, are alive and well, and there are a multitude of new establishments worth a visit.
Here are a few places to pop in next time a day or evening trip around the city is in order.
Rize N Shine
Looking to start the day with a hearty, home-cooked breakfast? Rize N Shine recently replaced eggtc. at 7182 Renner Road and claims to be the perfect blend of modern farmhouse charm, culinary excellence, and genuine hospitality. Owned by longtime Shawnee residents Heather and Matt McQueeny, Rize N Shine serves everything from fluffy pancakes to savory omelets, breakfast sandwiches, several variations of eggs Benedict, and equally satisfying lunch options. Each dish is prepared with care, using the freshest ingredients. Whether you’re craving a hearty morning meal, a leisurely weekend brunch or a satisfying lunchtime escape, Rize N Shine has something to delight every palate. Rize N Shine is open 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m., seven days a week.
Paulo and Bill
Before Paulo and Bill opened in the late 1990s in the then-new Westglen area at 16501 Midland Drive, Shawnee was infamous for its lack of upscale dining options. For nearly 30 years, Paulo and Bill has elegantly filled that void, with a wide array of Italian fare served in a homey atmosphere. A full bar is available, and the establishment does great lunch business with offerings that range from a grilled chicken breast sandwich to stone-oven-baked flatbread pizzas. Other highlights include salmon, blackened shrimp, traditional sandwiches and, of course, delicious lasagna.
ShananiGanns Boutique
Owner Kristina Gann-Albright has a phrase at the bottom of her ShananiGanns business card that gets to the heart of what the boutique at 11106 Johnson Drive is all about. “A hot-mess store … and so much more.” You’ll find a bit of everything in the roughly 4,000-square-foot space. After all, ShananiGanns, which has been at its current location about eight years, deals with some 40 vendors. Much of what the store carries is Kansas City-centric—the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, and Current all have a presence on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps. Other offerings include candles, a wide array of cups, glassware and mugs, bags, socks, ties, cards, stuffed animals and baby onesies, signs and office supplies. Many items carry funny, catchy and, yes, even some blue phrasing. It’s all fun in this unique community boutique.
Chicken Creek Co. by The Flower Chick
For Missy Anderson, aka The Flower Chick, her Chicken Creek Co. by The Flower Chick is an adult manifestation of a love that blossomed as a little girl helping her mother with flower arrangements in the family basement. The longer name is a result of the simple The Flower Chick domain being already taken on the Internet. For her, being The Flower Chick isn’t so much a business as it is her very identity. “I don’t belong to any 1-800 group; it’s too regimented,” she says. “I’m a creative, not a technical, person. It gives me freedom to create for the person for whom I’m doing it.” To that end, Anderson creates flower arrangements for any occasion. She says her busiest times come during Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but April prom season is always hectic as well. And, though she says she doesn’t advertise for weddings, she was completely booked this spring. A neon sign on the back wall of her shop at 11208 Johnson Drive reads, “Bad vibes don’t go with my outfit,” and Anderson makes sure her customers come away feeling the same.
Hereford House
Not too long after Paulo and Bill established a fine-dining presence in the area, Hereford House opened a new franchise just across Interstate 435, at 17244 Midland. While the restaurant offers a variety of sumptuous treats, it’s known, of course, for steaks. From center-cut filet mignon to bone-in ribeye, Kansas City strip to its famous Hereford prime rib, Hereford House has something to make any carnivore salivate. If steak isn’t your thing, there are seafood and poultry options, along with pork chops and Herf & Surf, a combination bacon-wrapped filet and six-ounce lobster tail. But don’t get too stuffed. Desserts are also wonderful, led by the signature house-made carrot cake.
Wild Child Libations
Wild Child Libations opened in July 2023 and has already gained national recognition. For the second straight year, the casual low- and no-alcohol cocktail bar at 11022 Johnson Drive has been nominated for a national Spirit Award by Tales of the Cocktail and Diageo Bar Academy. Owner Jay Sanders, who also owns James Beard Award-nominated speakeasy Drastic Measures next door, will have to wait until July to find out whether Wild Child wins that award, but, in the meantime, customers have the opportunity to sample a wide range of N/A beverages like the Negroni and cucumber fernojito, along with alcohol offerings, such as a mezpresso martini and lime leaf gimlet.
No matter what you’re looking for, food or fun, you’ll find it in Shawnee!
