KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City institution for 65 years is shutting its doors.
The Golden Ox, a name longtime Kansas Citians know and love, is closing after decades of operation in the West Bottoms.
It’s the latest on a series of changes for the Stockyard District.
The owner of the Livestock Exchange Building says he’s been carrying the Golden Ox for quite some time as the restaurant is way behind on its rent. He says as the area becomes younger and hipper, the traditional steakhouse just wasn’t working anymore.
Originally catering to ranchers and farmers who brought their livestock to Kansas City, the Golden Ox was known for top-quality steaks.
But with the decline of Kemper Arena ever since Sprint Center opened, business has taken a hit.
Changing demographics haven’t helped either. An art gallery, winery and bistro all are part of a transformation in the West Bottoms that’s bringing in a younger crowd who’s not interested in a big wagon-wheel steak dinner.
“Part of being a Kansas Citian is loving the Golden Ox and loving the Stockyards District down here because of history involved in it,” said Bill Haw, owner of the Livestock Exchange Building. “Unfortunately, when I quiz people about the Golden Ox, they haven’t been in several years. It’s really been a difficult thing economically for the Ox to survive.”
Haw says it’s time for a change, and he says a new tenant, offering more of a bar atmosphere with exotic cocktails or craft beers may be setting up shop in the space soon. About 30 longtime workers at the Golden Ox are expected to lose their jobs.
There’s also a small apartment complex going up across the street, another sign of the ongoing effort to transform the stockyards into a neighborhood where people live, work and play.
