The green neon may only read “WIN...D’s” right now, but we’re not here to ready anyway. | Photo by KCtoday
Skyscrapers, fifty-fifties, and steakburgers — that’s what most people think of when they drive by Winstead’s. Today though, we’re shifting the focus from our stomachs to the story behind this local institution. We hope you came hungry...
The birth of an icon
Founded in Springfield, IL in 1936 by Kathryn Winstead, the restaurant biz quickly became a family affair. With the help of her sister Nellie, the soda stand-turned-drive-in eatery (one of the first in the US) expanded its footprint to Jacksonville, IL, Fort Wayne, IN, and Sedalia, MO.
Winstead’s circa 1980s. Can you spot any differences?
Photo via MVSC, Kansas City Public Library
At home in the Heartland
Sometime between 1938 and 1940, Nellie and her husband suggested a restaurant near a bustling car-centric shopping district in Kansas City. While Kathryn was hesitant at first, she eventually agreed to bring Winstead’s to the Country Club Plaza in 1940.
Its original 101 Emmanuel Cleaver Blvd. location would be the first of its kind designed in the Streamline Moderne style — plus, it would serve customers inside and outside via carhop.
Cat Candleholder | 6-8 p.m. | Cherry Pit Collective | $60 | Forget candelabras, make a purrfect cat-elabra (aka a feline-shaped candleholder) with two hours of instruction, plus all materials + firing included.
Friday, March 14
American Prohibition in Three Parts | 6-8 p.m. | Makers, Bakers & Shakers, Blue Springs | $39 | Join for the final sesh of this series and learn to craft your own signature drink.
Saturday, March 15
Snake Saturday Full Irish Breakfast | 9-10:30 a.m. | Restless Spirits Distilling Company, NKC | $25 | Start your day with a hearty helping of sausage, bacon, eggs, white pudding, baked beans, and potatoes by Crazy Good Eats, before rallying for this weekend’s festivities.
Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City | 7 p.m. | Children’s Mercy Park, KCK | $19+ | Dust off that blue scarf and get ready for an electric faceoff against our northern rivals.
Sunday, March 16
“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” | 7 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center | $25+ | Starring a live band and supreme vocalists, experience a night dedicated to the legendary Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin with hits like “Natural Woman” and “Think.”
Monday, March 17
Cigars in the Biergarten | 6-9 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company | $20+ | Kick off this bi-monthly series by puffing from a premium selection of Diebel’s Cigars and sipping top-notch brews at sunset.
It’s almost time. Selection Sunday for the NCAA Men’s + Women’s basketball tournaments is happening on March 16. Sports fans are invited to the BracketCentral Watch Party inside Kansas City Marriott Downtown starting at 5 p.m. Expect food + drink options for purchase, as well as a chance to win a $100 BarCentral gift card.
Edu
Before marking up this April’s ballot, you’ve already gotten the chance to review seven candidates vying for spots on the Kansas City Public Schools board. Now, the Beacon is expanding its city-wide study guide with entries from North Kansas City and Lee’s Summit.
Try This
It’s time for A Very Good Boy’s Birthday. The annual tradition by Virgil’s Plant Shop honors its late, great, four-legged namesake with a celebration of life that touts a free cocktail bar, 15% off all plants, and on-site dog adoptions from Lucky 13 Rescue. Stop by this Saturday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — you might just find a new best friend.
Development
A mostly vacant shopping center in Roeland Park will soon see new life, or at least a fresh coat of paint. The owners of a retail complex near Roe Boulevard — which houses a Walmart and former CVS pharmacy — have agreed to look for new tenants, thanks to a newly approved CID amendment. (Johnson County Post)
Ranked
Smile and wave, folks. Out of 180 of the nation’s largest cities, Overland Park ranked No. 4 in WalletHub’s “Happiest Cities in America” report. The list considered 29 factors, including depression rates, income-growth rates, and daily average leisure time.
Opening
Bye-bye Johnny’s BBQ, hello J’s BBQ Smokehouse and Catering. Three weeks after closing, the 24-year-old Olathe restaurant opened its doors again following reinvention by its former GM + vice president. One thing that hasn’t changed? It’s specialty: tender, juicy, cut-to-order burnt ends. (Kansas City Star)
Trending
Think you can crack the mystery of La Tiara’s taco shells? The local grocery store staple was manufactured by Gladstone Food Products, but shelves are curiously empty of its wares. A Facebook group + the Kansas City Star have been on the hunt for answers with nothing but crisp silence to show for.
Pets
Treat your four-legged friends like royalty at this local pet service offering top-tier daycare, grooming, lodging, and 40,000+ sqft of outdoor and 10,000+ sqft indoor space for social play. Plus, score a free day of daycare when you mention KCtoday in the referral section when booking.*
Finance
Living in debt can be incredibly stressful. If you owe more than $10,000, Freedom Debt Relief could help lighten your load. See how it works.*
Plan Ahead
High interest rates are a major concern, and paying down debt is a top priority for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Travel
You deserve a vacation — and Going will notify you when flights leaving your airport are 40-90% off. Try for free and watch the deals roll in.*
The Buy
The Buy
This top-rated hair and scalp oil as seen in Vogue and Vanity Fair. It features a dynamic blend of organic ingredients that boost shine and strength, smooth split ends, tame frizz, deeply hydrate the scalp, and encourage hair growth.
Festival season is almost upon us. Along with Boulevardia and Country Stampede, another one taking up major space on my radar is Manor Fest 7. The local fundraiser will feature 60 bands at 20 different venues across the city over two different weekends in May, all supporting resources + vinyl releases for independent artists.
Answered
Answered
When it comes to daylight saving time, I’d rather...
Actually, we’re not sure. While 48% of respondents wanted to skip it altogether, like Hawaii and Arizona, another 40% preferred to keep their brighter winter mornings and later summer sunsets.
Without a clear majority, we might just side with the remaining holdouts (12%) on our DST verdict: “Do whatever Missouri does, we need a unified metro anyway.”
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