Welcome to 816 Local - Happy Friday, neighbors—this edition of 816 Local serves up sizzling restaurant news, can’t-miss events, and a stretch (literally) to kick off summer in the Northland!

Todays Newsletter:

• Riverside Ampitheater

• Foodie Friday

• Farmers Market Season

• Things happening around the Northland

Riverside Ampitheater Update

Foodie Friday

Downtown Parkville is buzzing with new concepts while a few longtime staples bow out; Gladstone finally gets its long-promised Go Chicken Go even as 35-year-old Tortilla Flats serves its last combo plate; Zona Rosa lines up a Neapolitan pizzeria just as iconic steakhouse Hereford House shutters; Liberty welcomes fresh Mediterranean and poke-ramen options but loses the metro’s last Lion’s Choice; and in Smithville, chef-driven Gizmos Tavern takes over an old bar space while Bonedog’s BBQ calls it quits. Together, the moves signal a brisk turnover across the Northland dining map, giving local food-lovers plenty of openings to explore—and a few farewells to note.

Parkville

• Prima Facie Bistro & Market has transformed the former bank at 12 E. First St. into a 150-seat restaurant with a mezzanine, vault dining room and walk-up market; it launched late last summer and is still drawing crowds.

• Wild Flour Bakery has opened up in the cutest little yellow house right on Main Street Offering coffee and delicious baked good.

Gladstone

• After a five-year saga, Go Chicken Go opened April 3 at Vivian Rd. & North Oak, with lines wrapping the building on day one.

• Tortilla Flats, a neighborhood Mexican fixture for 35 years, closed its doors March 18.

Zona Rosa / I-29 Corridor

• Local group Plate Restaurant is bringing Plate Pizzeria—a casual Neapolitan concept with imported ovens and a walk-up window—to the former Stone Canyon space (8630 NW Prairie View Rd.) in July 2025.

• Hereford House ended its 20-year run at Zona Rosa when lease negotiations fell through, though sister locations remain open.

Side note: Colorado breakfast brand Urban Egg also confirmed plans for a Northland location at Valley View Shoppes later this year, expanding beyond its Overland Park flagship.

Liberty

• Wichita-based Meddys debuted its fast-casual Mediterranean spot at 8636 NE 85th St. with a full bar and patio last August.

• QZ Poke & Ramen has teased an imminent opening—its fourth metro outlet—promising bowls and boba near Liberty’s downtown.

• Roast-beef chain Lion’s Choice will shutter its final KC-area store (129 S. Stewart Rd.) on May 17, ending the brand’s local presence.

• Macarena’s Mexican Food closed its smaller 416 E. Mill St. shop in April, consolidating at its larger Chouteau location.

Smithville

• Gizmos Tavern, an upscale gastropub guided by James-Beard-nominated chef Jonathan Justus, has opened in the former Humphrey’s space at 111 N. Bridge St.

• Bonedog’s BBQ, once known for ribs out of a converted auto lot, is now marked “closed” on review platforms.

Farmers Market Season Kicks Off

Parkville’s open-air market has been buzzing every Saturday since April 26 (7 a.m.–noon), and its extra Wednesday hours return June 11 at English Landing Park while the city readies a new permanent shelter for next winter. Liberty follows suit with an Opening-Day celebration that happened Saturday, May 3, and will keep the stalls rolling rain or shine through October. Smithville’s Farmers & Makers Market lit up downtown on Wednesday, May 7, pairing live music with hyper-local produce and crafts each week. The lone pause button is in Gladstone, where organizers have cancelled the 2025 season at the Atkins-Johnson Farm, so Northlanders who shopped there may want to make Parkville, Liberty, or Smithville their new Saturday (or Wednesday) tradition.

816 Happenings

🍿May 17 – Summer Outdoor Movies in the Park (Zona Rosa, 8-11 p.m.) Grab a blanket for opening night of the free family film series on the Central Park lawn.

🍝May 30 – June 1 – Festa Italiana (Zona Rosa) Three days of cannoli, live music and bocce bring Little Italy vibes to the Northland.

🎸June 3 – Liberty Summer Band (Rooney Justice Center Plaza, 7:30 p.m.) Eighty volunteer musicians kick off their Tuesday-night concert series with show-tune favorites and marches—lawn chairs encouraged.

🎶June 6 – Friday Summer Concerts in the Park (Zona Rosa, 6:30-8:30 p.m.) Perpetual Change opens an eight-week run of free Friday shows under the lights in Central Park.

🎨June 7 – Food·Art·Drink Festival (Linden Square, Gladstone, noon-8 p.m.) Stroll art stalls, sample food-truck bites and catch four live bands at Gladstone’s summer kickoff.

🚤June 13-14 – Smithville Lake Festival (Downtown Smithville, 5 p.m. Fri – 11:30 p.m. Sat) Carnival rides, vendors and nightly concerts turn Main Street into a lakeside block party.

🎸June 28 – Party in the Parkville (English Landing Park, 5-9 p.m.) Live country-rock, food trucks and family games light up the riverfront for this annual community bash.

Send your pals our referral link and we’ll both feel as proud as a Northlander who found an open parking spot at Zona Rosa on a Saturday! 👇

816 Local is always scouting for fresh Northland businesses—boutiques, eateries, services, you name it—to feature in our newsletter and put your story in front of thousands of curious neighbors. If you’re launching something exciting or leveling up an old favorite, we want to shine the spotlight on you with articles, social posts, and event shout-outs. Drop us a line or pass this along to a business you love, and let’s keep the Northland buzz growing together!

Amanda Rohr | Publisher, and Northland Enthusiast