Grill 32, the family-run diner on Edwardsville's Main Street, is gearing up for its last day of service on July 29 after what the owners describe as a sudden, steep rent hike they could not afford. The compact spot built a loyal following on burgers, breakfast sandwiches and its oversized "New Heights" club, a menu nod that once put the restaurant in the national spotlight.
Owners Say They Got Only 20 Days To Decide
According to the Kansas City Star, the owners explained in a Facebook post that their landlord presented an updated "lease" that would raise base rent by about 70 percent, with extra charges amounting to roughly another 30 percent, and gave them just 20 days to respond. "We are sad to inform that we have no choice but to permanently close down the Grill," they wrote, also thanking customers and staff for sticking with them.
About Grill 32: Small, Busy, Local
At 104 S. 4th St., Grill 32 settled into a role as a weekday breakfast and lunch stop for nearby workers and people passing through town. Local listings show weekday hours and consistently strong reviews, with many directories putting it at around 4.7 stars, a sign of how popular it became in the neighborhood. Basic contact information and hours are listed on sites like Restaurantji. According to the Unified Government Real Property Value/Tax Search on WycoKCK.org, county property and tax records for addresses in Wyandotte County are publicly searchable online. According to the City of Edwardsville's business pages, the city offers an expedited planning, zoning and building review process intended to reduce barriers for starting and growing businesses.
According to the Kansas City Retail Report, vacancy rates in the Kansas City retail market were just above 3.8% in the second quarter of 2024. Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) reported Kansas City's retail sector was on track to end 2023 with a vacancy rate 110 basis points below its year-end 2019 mark. According to Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, Kansas City NNN asking rates rose 36 basis points to $6.06/SF in 2024 and Q4 vacancy rates decreased to 5.4%, showing tightening retail market conditions. According to CBRE Research, retail sales growth was forecast to moderate to around 2.6% in 2024, with asking rent growth expected to dip early in the year before rebounding, indicating uneven pressure on retail rents.
New Heights Sandwich Put It On The Map
The diner picked up wider attention in late 2023 when the Kelce brothers highlighted its "New Heights" club sandwich on their podcast, briefly turning the tiny Main Street spot into a talking point far beyond Edwardsville. Local TV coverage at the time noted that the sandwich combines elements of a Philly cheesesteak with Kansas City barbecue flavors. That burst of publicity was chronicled by KCTV.
Closing Notice and What's Next
The owners say they will serve their final meals on July 29 and have publicly thanked diners for standing by them over the past four years. "We want to thank the community for all of the support over the last 4 years," they wrote, per the Kansas City Star. As that final day draws closer, there is still no word on whether a new operator will move into the space at 104 S. 4th St.
