KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Restaurants have become an essential part of neighborhoods, especially in new developments. Lane 4 Property Group explained that they bring people to an area and can even serve as key identifiers for a shopping center.
People know places by their favorite restaurants. You may not recognize the name Corinth Square, but if I described the area as the shopping center where Va Bene or Taco Republic are, you might.
Michael Berenbom, with Lane 4, says the Kansas City market rallies around local businesses.
Part of it is the sense of trust and familiarity. When people have a good experience at a restaurant, it creates a habit — making them more likely to visit again or maybe check out another spot in the area.
“Obviously, we go for good food, but I think a lot of time, it's just to be with people, to be around people," Berenbom said. "Eating together is just one of the oldest forms of socializing, and it really brings, we found, it really brings life to shopping centers."
Berenbom says restaurants have become “third spaces” for people. If we spend the most time at home and work, after that, it’s restaurants.
“Restaurants have really become a cherished third space in our communities. We're doing more of our socializing these days in restaurants," he said.
When we think of new or revamped shopping areas like Corinth Square, Lenexa's City Center or Downtown Olathe, all of those projects have a lot of restaurant options.
In the case of Downtown Olathe, restaurants have been the first announcements as the city works to bring new life to downtown.
“They're a magnet, and restaurants will get people to come try out a new neighborhood,” Berenbom said.
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KSHB 41 reporter Olivia Acree covers portions of Johnson County, Kansas. Share your story idea with Olivia.
