Our Café History

Downtown. The heart. Where the City of Lee’s Summit began more than 150 years ago as the Town of Strother.

Now a thriving and bustling area of development, a central focal point of business, and a hub of artistic and cultural activity, Downtown Lee's Summit is home to more than 150 businesses.

One of the oldest resides at 104 SE Third Street – home of Neighborhood Café and the famous cinnamon rolls!

Before, there were 93,000 people in Lee's Summit; before we were a town of 65+ square miles, we were downtown Lee's Summit: a few blocks, dirt roads, and miles of opportunity in front of us.

This building was originally a wagon repair structure in the early 1900s, constructed as one of the first "strip" buildings in the downtown area and home to four businesses.

Downtown. The heart. Where the City of Lee’s Summit began more than 150 years ago as the Town of Strother.

Now a thriving and bustling area of development, a central focal point of business, and a hub of artistic and cultural activity, Downtown Lee's Summit is home to more than 150 businesses.

One of the oldest resides at 104 SE Third Street – home of Neighborhood Café and the famous cinnamon rolls!

Before, there were 93,000 people in Lee's Summit; before we were a town of 65+ square miles, we were downtown Lee's Summit: a few blocks, dirt roads, and miles of opportunity in front of us.

This building was originally a wagon repair structure in the early 1900s, constructed as one of the first "strip" buildings in the downtown area and home to four businesses.

Over time, the place where tens of thousands of families and diners have come to visit the re-creation of owners Tony and Kelly (and Abram!) Olson has taken on many different forms. From shoes to servers, 104 SE Third Street has a storied and rich history:

* In 1935, Clarence Brown Shoe Store opened at 104 SE 3rd Street.

* Also in 1935, P.C. Williamson Grocery Store opened at 106 SE 3rd Street.

* Welfare offices were also housed in these locations during the Great Depression.

* In 1950-51, Mildred & Jasper Brown opened a restaurant in what was once the shoe store, called Browns Steakhouse.

Browns served home-style food that had been passed down for generations. Even then, the concept of a "family-owned" restaurant was essential to downtown Lee's Summit and the restaurant's patrons.

Mildred and Jasper lived in the back of the restaurant, and it has been said that if someone came knocking on the back door after hours, Mildred would open her arms and restaurant to feed them. Today, warm cinnamon rolls, friendly smiles, and even the Olsons are daily staples at Neighborhood Cafe.

*Aug. 5, 1957, The Kozy Korner Café opens under Mary Lentz and Gordon Adams.

* *In 1969, the restaurant changed hands, this time to Larry Kenemore, who named it the Chuck Wagon. Kenemore adds almost 1,000 square feet to the restaurant footprint.

*In 1971, Kenemore sold his restaurant to Linda and O.C. Roberts, who renamed the restaurant Linda’s Restaurant & Steakhouse.

*Restaurant became Ida’s Place in 1974-75.

*Fords Family Restaurant took over in 1977.

*Nick and Cheryl Thompson purchased the business in 1988 as Thompson’s Restaurant.

The Thompsons kept the same type of food but personalized their operation by talking to their guests and making people feel like this was their home. Everyone in their family worked here. The kids were seen rolling silverware, bussing tables, and making pies. In 1991, a fire began in the kitchen, and the restaurant sustained extensive damage. It was closed for several months while the place was rebuilt and reopened in 1992.

* In November 1995, the Thompsons sold to Sue and Dave Meador, who opened Sue's Kitchen.

Here, the world-famous cinnamon rolls are born and become a staple item at the restaurant; everyone asked about them and wanted the recipe.

*Neighbor's Café was born on Feb. 14, 2001, under Don, Sheryl Roberts, and Phil Roberts.

*In January 2011, Neighbor's Cafe closed its doors. One month later, Tony Olson, Bob Baker, and Ben Wine reopened the restaurant as Neighborhood Cafe. Neighborhood Cafe still serves the home-style favorites everyone has come to love and, more importantly, carries on the cinnamon roll tradition!

We invite you to be a part of our history and the history of Downtown Lee's Summit and our city.

The spirit of family, community, and conversation is alive and well at Neighborhood Café.

Join the Olsons – and your neighbors – as we continue to make history!