River Market’s iconic ‘Trolley Tom’ reopening with grab-and-go deli menu, specialty cocktails
August 8, 2025 | Joyce Smith
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.”
Made in KC opened in the restored trolley in late 2020 and closed in summer 2023. Then Donutology moved in in October 2023 before closing in late July. In a press release, owner Andrew Cameron said the lease was expiring and the company would “put our full energy into making our original Westport location the best version of Donutology yet.”
Officials with Made in KC and Donutology couldn’t be reached for comment Friday morning.
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.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Passing the keys, passion: How a new wave of small biz owners plan to preserve beloved local brands
Some have been customers; some employees. Now they’re the new owners of popular local restaurants and retail shops. As founders step aside, fresh sets of entrepreneurs step up in hopes of carrying on the goodwill and loyal following these brands have built up, some for decades. John McClelland and his brother-in-law, Johnathan Griffiths, work together…
Topping expectations: These brothers helped expand Pizza Tascio to 8 locations; now they’re taking over
Erik Borger hired all three Lombardino brothers in their teens, starting them out as dishwashers at his restaurants in St. Joseph, Missouri. They quickly took on other positions — front of house, staff scheduling, food and beverage orders and deliveries, and hiring and firing workers. If an employee didn’t show up for a shift, they…
Nell Hill’s founder returns to retail with ‘this little secret’ — a micro shop with an old-fashioned, in-store experience
Mary Carol Garrity’s last home furnishings store was 18,000 square feet. Her new one? A “petit bazaar” at just 400. Garrity is teaming up with longtime friend, Rebecca Wood, on diebolt’s in Midtown’s Gillham House Antiques & Furnishings. The shop, which is scheduled for an April 19 soft opening, is expected to offer a “fun…
Urban designer behind Royals’ Crossroads ballpark pioneered the modern MLB stadium (and he has the bats to prove it)
It’s difficult to find a Major League Baseball stadium that Earl Santee hasn’t influenced with his philosophy of community-oriented design. Called the “Godfather of ballparks,” Santee — the recently named CEO of Populous and literal architect of the proposed Kansas City Royals ballpark district in the East Crossroads — either designed or renovated two dozen…