By Joyce Smith
Fareway Meat Market in south Kansas City will more than double in size in a new building.
Phase One of the redevelopment at 1307 W. 79th St. has begun. A new 10,500-square-foot meat market is being built immediately south of the current 5,000-square-foot store.
It will offer more specialty items and fresh produce, and have an expanded deli counter, along with a full-service butcher counter and smoked meats. The barbecue – a mostly to-go operation with a menu of sandwiches, ribs, chicken, sides and more – has been operating under McGonigle’s BBQ Kitchen & Catering, but will just be under the Fareway brand in the new building.
Fareway will continue to operate in the current space until the new building opens later this year. Then that building will be demolished.
“We’re thrilled to begin construction on a new chapter for our Kansas City location,” said Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores Inc., in a statement. “This expansion reflects our dedication to providing the highest quality meats and personalized service, while honoring the legacy of McGonigle’s Market that has meant so much to this community.”
The Iowa-based Fareway currently operates 143 stores in a seven-state region, including several in the metro. It is a family-owned business with more than 13,000 total employees.
McGonigle’s grocery store was founded on the corner in 1951. It was still in the McGonigle family and the owner planned to redevelop the site before selling it to Fareway in 2020.
Phase Two will start in 2027 and include a new 10,000-square-foot multi-tenant building on the corner of 79th Street and Ward Parkway. No tenants have been announced for that building.