Poor sales in 2010 prompted several national restaurant chains to throw in the towel and pull out of the Kansas City area. But did that worry two local restaurateurs?
Not a chance.
Howard Hanna and Ryan Maybee were aware of the hurdles and the struggling economy. But they hunkered down and focused on setting their restaurant apart with an affordable menu, top-notch food and help who enjoyed coming to work.
“What else am I going to do? This is what I do. This is what I love to do. And Howard, too,” said Maybee, co-owner of the Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange, which recently opened in the Crossroads Arts District. “People are still going out, eating and drinking. … They are just more cautious about where they are spending their money.”