Two Kansas City-area cocktail bars mourning loss of two team members
SHAWNEE, Kan. – Two popular cocktail bars in the Kansa City metro are mourning the loss of two of their own.
Simone Mele was the operating partner and co-owner of Swordfish Tom's in the Crossroads for the last several years. While Justin Burnell was a partner at Drastic Measures in Shawnee and worked as a team member at Swordfish Tom's.
'Justin Burnell and Simone Mele were undeniable forces for both progressivism and hospitality.' . 'Be kind and caring towards each other because the world won't be, and don't leave anything unspoken or unresolved with the people you care about.'
Swordfish Tom's also , 'We are devastated to communicate that Swordfish Tom's will be closed for the next week, as we process the catastrophic loss of two of our own.'
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Mele's friend told FOX4 she had the 'kindest soul.'
Burnell was described as a trustworthy and dedicated friend.
'Justin made this world better and it's on all of us to make it better in their absence,' Cate Root said.
Root is from the Kansas City area but met Burnell about 20 years ago in New Orleans. She said they were working to get their master's in fine arts, Burnell was a talented writer.
Root said Burnell moved to the Kansas City area in 2020. She described Burnell as brilliant, brave and compassionate — and said you could see it in the work of Drastic Measures, a two-time James Beard Award Nominee for Most Outstanding Bar.
'Justin was devoted to human rights, and I think people saw that in them everywhere,' Root said.
'I think people saw that in the compassion and warmth Justin showed, if he was just making cocktails and talking to people with curiosity and I think it's really evident in the work that's left behind.'
When Root visited Kansas City, she saw how Burnell's creativity flourished in multiple forms — from the bars he helped run to writing a novel.
See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri
'Justin was extremely talented,' Root said. 'They were also extremely brave.'
In Burnell's honor — Root started a monthly donation to Transgender Law Center. She said Burnell had donated to the civil-rights organization in the past.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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