It’s a beautiful day in the Neighborhood…Café that is! The Café has a storied history of bringing families together, providing excellent food and making breakfast the prize meal of any day. Recently, Andy Lock and Dom Molloy, proprietors of the extremely popular Third Street Social, right across the street in downtown Lee’s Summit, purchased the restaurant from its owners, Tony and Kelly Olson.
“When making the decision to buy Neighborhood Café, a huge part of the appeal was that it was a very well run and popular operation with a long track record of success,” Andy noted. “We are not in any hurry to make changes. We will assess current operations and make small changes if they benefit the guests and NO, we won’t change the cinnamon rolls!”
He went on to explain that they say that they have witnessed their operation flourish, grow and operate at such a high level over the years, and have always had admiration for it.
“When we heard it was potentially for sale, it was very clear to us that it was a brand we would be proud to have under our restaurant umbrella,” he smiled.
That restaurant group includes Summit Grill in three locations: Lee's Summit, Gladstone and Waldo. Third Street Social, with the original there on 3rd Street across from Neighborhood as well as locations in the South Plaza and the Northland. Also, they own the popular Pearl Tavern, South of Summit Taqueria and Tequila and Boru Asian Eatery.
Recent owners, Tony and Kelly Olson, are happy to turn over the reins to them. They actually purchased the café in 20ll, explaining, “We had been regulars at the family-owned restaurant for years. When Neighbors was set to close its doors in 2011, we knew we had to try and keep the tradition going. We reopened as Neighborhood Cafe in February of 2011 with the entire existing staff, menu, loyal customers and traditions that had been the center of Downtown Lees Summit for years. We were surprised and grateful that the community rallied around us as the new owners.”
They believe Neighborhood Cafe brings the community and downtown together, and a great cafe can be the centerpiece of business, family, and community in a city, and they think that is exactly what they became.
“This restaurant is bigger than us. It is a city tradition in Lees Summit,” they smiled.
The two have three young boys and have been in the restaurant business for over 21 years and have owned nine different restaurants around Kansas City throughout this time. They are looking forward to further focusing on their family and starting a new chapter.
“We are so excited to hand this great tradition off to another family-run, local restaurant family in the Summit Grill Group. They have been so great to work with through this transition and we know they will continue the tradition and make it even better,” they continued. “Just as they run other amazing concepts, we know Neighborhood Cafe is in good hands!”
The month of February is a great month to take your valentine out to breakfast! Why not make a visit?
Visit neighborhoodcafe.com.