Rooftop Austin’s Bar & Grill just one step in unlocking Olathe’s ‘downtown renaissance’

A century-old building in downtown Olathe will get new life as an indoor/outdoor restaurant complex known as County Square Commons — anchored by the popular Austin’s Bar & Grill.

LANE4 Property Group and Austin’s are redeveloping the 10,859-square-foot building, which is expected to feature four or five storefronts on the street level at 114 to 126 Cherry St.

The project boasts incentives from the City of Olathe (Community Improvement District and real estate tax abatements) with the developers buying the building from the city.

As the anchor tenant, Austin’s space will be 3,634 square feet and include one of two rooftop patios overlooking the redeveloped Johnson County Square Park.

Austin’s has operated in Olathe since 1987. This will be their third location in Olathe. The brand also operates a restaurant in Gardner. 

“Austin’s is Olathe born and bred,” Brandon Blum, a partner in Austin’s, said in a statement. “From the time we first opened our doors almost 40 years ago, to this opportunity to be part of the downtown renaissance, we have watched this community grow from a small town to one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the region.”

Blum couldn’t be reached for further comment.

A rendering of the County Square Commons redevelopment in downtown Olathe, which includes a rooftop Austin’s Bar & Grill location; image courtesy of LANE4

Isaac Lee Collins, Fifth & Emery; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt & Chocolate (formerly Yogurtini KC), a new-to-market dessert concept, is exected to occupy the corner space on the north.

ICYMI: Fifth & Emery rebrand puts local in control; Isaac Lee Collins’ next move: add handmade chocolate

LANE4 is in talks with other local restaurants for the remaining storefronts — one will have the second rooftop patio — and the company is interested in talking to more local operators looking to expand. 

“This project is not the end goal for downtown Olathe. But it is an exciting milestone in the ongoing transformation,” said Michael Berenbom, LANE4 managing partner. “The potential of downtown Olathe is just dying to be unlocked.”

Since 2021 downtown Olathe has seen more than $250 million in public and private investment through key projects including: Johnson County Courthouse and Olathe City Hall, Johnson County Square Park, Arrello apartments (228-units), and the downtown branch of the Olathe Public Library. LANE4, in partnership with the City of Olathe, served as developer for the library, which opened in April 2023. 

“It was to include restaurants, but during COVID the city simplified the plan,” Berenbom said. “But we had a commitment to bring more restaurants to downtown Olathe and this new project is another step towards the vision of what downtown Olathe has the potential to be. We are confident that there is much more to come.”

Project team members for the Country Square Commons project include Harmon Construction, and Slaggie Architects.

Downtown Olathe also has three other Kansas City favorites in development — Third Street Social, Pizza 51, and Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements.

Startland News contributor Joyce Smith covered local restaurants and retail for nearly 40 years with The Kansas City Star. Click here to follow her on Bluesky, here for X (formerly Twitter), here for Facebook, here for Instagram, and by following #joyceinkc on Threads.