A 79-year-old Kansas City bakery is opening a long-awaited Northland location

“Welcome to McLain’s,” an employee in a cream T-shirt announced to a long line of customers Monday.

“We’re glad you’re open,” the older couple shouted back.

Since McLain’s Bakery was founded in 1945, Northland fans had to cross the river and drive several miles south to eat cupcakes and other pastries.

But on Monday, the bakery and restaurant opened its long-awaited North Kansas City location at 1720 Swift St., beneath the Oxbow Apartments.

It was a big day for McLain fans. Especially Sheila Lillis, a third-generation customer of the company.

Lillis grew up near the original location at 75th Street and Wornall Road, but has lived north of the river since 1987. This move put me a good 30 minutes away from my beloved butter rolls.

“It’s a great addition to the Northland landscape in terms of food,” Lillis said. “Local restaurants. Amen. There are not many bakeries.”

On the opening day of the store, she was accompanied by her friend Cathy Swenson. Lillis brought McLain’s cakes to their office in Gladstone. When Swenson retired, she requested that McLain’s buttermilk rolls be featured at her party.

“We waited with bated breath,” Lillis added.

Several other Northerners came to celebrate. The store was bustling with life from opening to closing.

General manager Tara Treffry said events leading up to the restaurant’s opening also drew large crowds.

It’s not hard to imagine, considering how many customers asked for the bakery to be moved north. After the owner announced plans to open in North Kansas City more than a year ago, excitement has reached fever pitch.

“We were getting 10 to 20 calls a week asking when North Kansas City was going to open…” Treffry said. “People were really excited and very supportive, so it was really cool.”

The original McLain’s moved to 201 E. Gregory Blvd. at Waldo in 2011. Current owner Mollie Lothman and her parents took over the bakery in 2014 and expanded the menu.

They opened McLain’s Market at 10695 Roe Ave. in Overland Park in 2016. They have since added a Shawnee location at 5833 Nieman Road and a Lawrence location at 2412 Iowa St.

Their South Overland Park location opened last year at 15102 Travis St.

“We loved opening our store in North Kansas City!” Lothman said in a written statement to The Star on Monday. “We were welcomed with open arms and are very excited to enhance life north of the river with our pastries, coffee, pastries, sandwiches and more!”

Northland’s menu is the same as other locations and includes pepper burritos, wraps, avocado toast, coffee, pastries and more. All locations offer full breakfast and lunch menus. Mugs, candles and goods from other local companies are also on display.

Treffry said the restaurant hopes to offer delivery to Oxbow Apartments residents soon.

Concrete floors, a colorful tile bar and leafy potted plants make the new McLain’s feel like other locations. A ceremonial balloon arch greets the facility’s first customers as they walk through the doors.

North Kansas City has experienced steady growth and development in recent years. McLain’s Oxbow Apartments shared space was built in 2022.

Treffry pointed out several other noteworthy businesses – Cinder Block Brewery, The Rabbit Hole, Mitch e Amaro – and encouraged patrons south of the river to go for a drive and perhaps stop in the small town for the day.

She called it the “Brooklyn Kansas City subway.”

“North Kansas City is a vibrant place worth visiting. There are a lot of great restaurants… It’s just a great place to spend a day hiking,” Treffry said.

McLain’s in North Kansas City is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays.