River Market’s iconic ‘Trolley Tom’ reopening with grab-and-go deli menu, specialty cocktails

A new grab-and-go eatery is rolling into River Market, filling a hole left when Donutology shuttered operations inside “Trolley Tom” — the circa 1947 Kansas City streetcar permanently parked at 426 Delaware in the popular retail and entertainment district.

Car No. 551 is scheduled to open by mid-September with deli offerings and and drinks by day; then extending its hours with a micro event venue for rotating seasonal experiences, pop-ups and private events by night.

“Ever since they placed that thing there I had a strange attraction to it,” said William Jordan, owner of Car No. 551. “Then I helped my friend freshen it up three months ago, and later found out it was available.”

Jordan, who signed a three-year lease, also owns two other businesses, a dessert catering company called Tasty Unicorn, and Fountain City Printing.

He said the River Market needed a quick grab-and-go operation but customers also can stay to eat. The trolley seats more than a dozen people inside, and another dozen on the patio.

Menus will be revealed later but offerings are expected to include a Sunday brunch, “reasonably priced, fun and attractive for people to come out to it,” Jordan said.

Car No. 551 also will have six specialty cocktails, beers including local craft beers, and specials such as German beer on tap for Octoberfest. Acting bar manager Ashley Adams has 20 years of experience.

Hayley O’Connor, who worked for Outsteak Steakhouse corporate for more than two decades, will be head of operations.

The business is set to feature a selection of smoked meats and kielbasa from Peter May’s House of Kielbasa, which traces its roots to Peter May’s neighborhood grocery circa 1929. May’s great-grandson, Mike Loges, now owns and operates the Kansas City deli and market.

Jordan expects Car No. 551, on the streetcar line, to be a strong draw with area residents and City Market visitors.

Delaware already has a strong mix of locally owned businesses.

Slabotsky’s Fine Menswear & Tailoring recently relocated to 306 Delaware after decades on Grand. Other tenants include restaurants such as  Muni KC, The Farmhouse, Disco Burger and Il Lazzarone Neapolitan Pizzeria, along with other local favorites Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, and rOOTS KC plant shop.

“There are a lot of great businesses along there,” Jordan said. “This is a really fun spot.”

Hours will tentatively be 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Follow @car_no.551 on Instagram and Facebook for opening day announcements, private booking details, and exclusive event updates.

An informational kiosk shares the story of the historic “Trolley Tom” in Kansas City’s River Market; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Landlord Craig Slawson of Denver-based Epoch Developments restored the streetcar as part of his redevelopment in the area. He named it Trolley Tom after the late Tom Trabon, an early streetcar director.

The trolley ran Kansas City routes from 1947 to 1957, then routes in Toronto and San Francisco, before taking a pause at the Western Railway Museum, and back to Kansas City in 1996, where it was put on display at Union Station.

Slawson also owns five historic buildings along Delaware.

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.