26-02-2025
Toni's Italian Restaurant closing Olathe location because of I-35 Highway project
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A popular, family-owned Italian restaurant in Olathe, Kansas announced Tuesday afternoon that it will be closing its doors because of an upcoming road improvement project on Interstate 35.
Toni's Italian Restaurant, owned by Toni Curri and Mario Maloku, opened its Olathe location back in 2018. Now, nearly seven years later, the restaurant made the breaking announcement that its flagship eatery will no longer be operating.
Travis Kelce battled 'pretty big illness' ahead of Super Bowl LIX
'As many of you know—some of you even personally—Mario and Toni have poured their hearts into building this family-owned restaurant. Saying goodbye to our Olathe location has been incredibly difficult, not just for our guests but for us as well,' .
'These last few days have been bittersweet, and it's hard to walk away from a place filled with so many memories.'
According to Toni's, the closure stems from the upcoming .
The interchange's aims to improve safety and ease traffic congestion for drivers after it has seen an increase in traffic accidents. But the project doesn't just come with a $200 million price tag; it also comes with the cost of many businesses along the corridor, including Toni's.
The restaurant said the project is 'entirely' the reason for its closure and that over the last year, it has been trying to find a place to relocate. However, the search has come up unsuccessful due to high costs and other buildings not having the components to fill the restaurant's needs.
In an interview with , co-owner Maloku said, 'Moving an apartment is difficult, let alone a whole business.'
He continued, 'I hope they treat everybody with respect because all these businesses that are forced to move from these locations, it's going to be very difficult. This is people's livelihood.'
Even though the Olathe location will no longer be operating, it another spot in Shawnee, — located at 22716 Midland Drive — giving regulars a place to continue ordering one of the many authentic Italian cuisines from .
But that isn't all.
The restaurant also assured the residents of Olathe that it would not be left out entirely.
Two in hospital after road rage incident, shooting in Prairie Village
'Please know that although we are leaving this location, we are not leaving you,' Toni's said. 'We will continue catering events throughout Olathe and the surrounding areas, and we will also offer takeout through different companies as much as possible so you can still enjoy our food.'
'Your support means the world to us, and we'll keep you updated as we continue this journey.'
Toni's Italian Restaurant doesn't operate on Mondays; however, it is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays, as well as 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information about Toni's and to see its menu, .
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
