AIA

Be Inspired: AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards

Be Inspired: AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards

Photo credit: RT/MWM KC

New Taco Republic opens in Prairie Village's Corinth Square

Taco Republic, an authentic taqueria with house-made margaritas, is opening its second KC location tomorrow, June 10th, in Corinth Square at 4100 W. 83rd Street in Prairie Village, Kan.

The new, larger location replaces the previous Arby's and features almost double the interior seating capacity, a 2,000-SF patio and is its first concept drive-thru.

Owner Whitney VinZant and his team worked with local architecture and interior design firm, Generator Studio on the new design and vision for Taco Republic.

“We worked hard to establish the brand and its attitude with Bread and Butter Concepts ten years ago at the flagship location and were reinvigorated when Whitney Vin Zant acquired the brand. At at our first meeting he said, ‘This place is about tacos, it should be fun.’ That loose attitude about the environment, coupled with Whitney's exacting execution on the food and drink, are the drivers of the evolution of the brand that you will see at the second store,” said Generator Studio co-founder, Mike Kress, AIA, NCARB.

The L-shape patio is designed with a hand-laid stone perimeter, adobe-colored crushed granite flooring, a steel and wood beam awning, landscaping and fire pits, cornhole game area and seating for more than 100 guests.

The new Taco Republic will serve its signature menu; including street tacos, bowls, enchiladas, a smothered burrito and more. The Corinth location will mark the debut of new margarita and mojito flights, offered at both locations.

Grand opening events include giving the first 50 guests in line a customized card for a free taco every day for a year (dine-in only, one per family) and handing out 300 wristbands during the hours of 11 a.m. to noon, 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on June 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. The wristbands entitle those wearing them to free queso each time they dine at Taco Republic for the next 365 days.

Taco Republic is open Monday from 4-9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to dine-in, a limited version of the menu is available for carryout and delivery online through ChowNow.

VinZant and operating partner Corey Gonzalez also own local favorites Gram & Dun, Va Bene, Louie’s Wine Dive, Fresko (Des Moines), The Latin King (Des Moines) and BRGR.

KC's booming industrial market hits record highs

KC's booming industrial market hits record highs

Photo courtesy of Miller Stauch Construction.

AIA-KC names Helix as firm of the year

AIA-KC names Helix as firm of the year

On Tuesday night, the Kansas City chapter of the American Institute of Architects named Helix as the 2016 Firm of the Year. The award is a symbol of extraordinary leadership in advancing the cause of architecture and its role in improving the quality of the built environment.