KC Bier Co building new 30,000-square-foot urban beer garden; founder brewing a space for all
February 13, 2025 | Taylor Wilmore
A Kansas City-built, German-style brewery is expanding to Lenexa — bringing an authentic Bavarian beer garden experience to Johnson County, said founder Steve Holle.
A rendering of the future KC Bier Co location in Lenexa; courtesy image
Developed in partnership with West Star Development, the new KC Bier Co. venue will feature a large outdoor space, an indoor restaurant, private event areas, and a stage for live music and community gatherings — together, nearly 30,000 square feet.
“In this new location, we’re building something that’s more than just a place to grab a drink,” said Holle. “It’s going to be a community hub, where people of all ages — families, pets, and beer lovers — can gather and enjoy themselves.”
The KC Bier Co. founder envisions the Lenexa location near 98th Street and Ridgeview, set to open by summer 2026, as a way to immerse Kansas City residents in the communal beer culture of Germany.
“I specifically wanted to have a beer garden in an urban environment so people could experience the communal gathering places that are so common and popular in European cities, especially in Bavaria,” he said.
A map of the Vista Village project by West Star Development; courtesy image
Expanding the bier experience
A highlight of the new venue will be its collaboration with West Star Development, which owns the land in Lenexa. The venue will feature a covered stage for live music, part of an amphitheater-style area that can host more than 600 guests.
Holle plans to host everything from local performances to large events like the World Cup or Kansas City Chiefs games.
“We’d been looking for a second retail location, and this opportunity just seemed like the perfect fit,” Holle shared from KC Bier Co.’s original spot at 79th Street and Wornall Road. “We’re already known for our beer garden here in Kansas City, and adding live music and larger event spaces just takes that to the next level.”
The Lenexa venue is expected to feature a kids’ play area, a staple in traditional German beer gardens, along with a small off-leash dog park, ensuring the entire family can enjoy the experience, he noted.
A rendering of the future KC Bier Co location in Lenexa; courtesy image
A taste of Germany in Lenexa
Staying true to its roots, the Johnson County location will offer a menu inspired by traditional German cuisine, Holle said. Expect classic German street foods like sausages and rotisserie chicken, as well as international flavors like the popular Döner kebab.
KC Bier Co.’s Kansas City location in the Waldo neighborhood; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“We’ll have a German menu, of course, but I want people to feel comfortable whether or not they’re familiar with German food,” Holle said. “There’ll be something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty sausage or a slice of pizza. It’s about creating a fun, welcoming environment for all.”
And, of course, beer will take center stage. KC Bier Co plans to brew its popular German-style beers on-site, offering the same varieties available at the flagship location in Kansas City.
Though the Lenexa opening is still a year away, Holle is excited about the potential growth of the brewery’s wholesale business by attracting a new customer base, he said.
“I think we have very loyal customers, and having another location in another part of the city will draw more people to try our beer,” said Holle, “and eventually make our brand more well-known among the people of Kansas City.”
From the archives: KC Bier Co. brewing regional expansion one tap handle at a time, founder says
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Startland list reflects big wins across KC — but don’t get comfortable, warns founder
Kansas City has traction, said Davyeon Ross, but the city and its support network must keep the ball moving. “It’s impressive how much these startups and companies are contributing to the community and the economy,” said Ross co-founder and COO of ShotTracker, reacting to data within Startland’s 2018 list of Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in…
Kansas-vs-Missouri investment record tied to state support for innovation, experts say
The Sunflower State appears to set itself apart based on trends indicated by Startland’s 2018 list of Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in KC. But does Kansas really have the competitive edge? Kansas companies are on average two years older than Missouri companies; they’ve raised more than four times as much capital than their Missouri counterparts;…
Think globally, invest locally: Are KC dollars worth more than outside capital?
Hometown capital is validating, said Darcy Howe, but it isn’t everything. Half of the firms in Startland’s 2018 list of Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in Kansas City received 50 percent or more of their funding from KC investors — a promising indicator of local support that suggests to outside investors that a company is ready…
2018 Top VC-Backed Companies in Kansas City List
The Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in Kansas City List recognizes the growing cohort of growth-stage, venture-backed companies in the Kansas City metro — further illustrating the impact of the countless efforts aimed at boosting entrepreneurship in the region and creating a productive dialogue. The list is expected to be updated and published annually. The 2018…