The Story of Ophelia’s
The front of Ophelia’s building was built circa 1907 as the Hillsbrothers Hardware store. The back half of Ophelia’s was built as part of the Katz Drugstore renovation in 1948. Katz drugstore had 175 employees and 13 departments and took up the entire restaurant, banquet area and basement. Among the obvious drugstore departments there was a also a full service snack bar, soda fountain and pet store. Katz operated until around 1974. The building remained empty until it was purchased by Ken and Cindy McClain in 1999.
Ophelia’s – What’s in a Name
The name Ophelia’s comes from a book Cindy was reading at the time they were trying to name the restaurant. The book is called “Reviving Ophelia” and is about raising teenage girls in a society that has made it a great challenge to do so with their self-esteem intact. Hence – “Reviving Ophelia” – reviving the Square. Ken and Cindy felt strongly that the restaurant would make people feel good about not only the Square, but living in Independence as well.
Community
Revitalizing a Community.
With Ophelia’s Restaurant and Inn as the anchor, the opening of that business didn’t happen because the McClain’s wanted to own a restaurant, but instead because of a desire to revive the Independence Square.
The Square is rich with Truman history and seemed a shame to waste. A restaurant seemed like a logical place to start because it can become a destination situation unlike other types of businesses. The desire to revive the Square has grown into a total of 18 businesses (and counting!) since Ken and Cindy began this adventure.
With many more small businesses now thriving, the Independence Square has become the heartbeat of a great city. It is now home to not only Ophelia’s, but many other eateries, pubs, specialty shops, a movie theater, pilates and yoga studio, bowling alley, a beautiful farmers market, a place for live music, and so much more. Join us where history meets the present and where memories are made.
Hospitality Business of the Year
McClain Restaurant Group
Meet the Chef
Executive Chef Robert Stearns
More well-known as Chef Bobby by customers and staff alike, he leads the kitchen in crafting an eclectic American menu with globally inspired flavors. He originally graduated from Johnson County Community College where he honed his skills as a chef, eventually working as the sous chef at Taste with Jonathan Dallen. He joined Ophelia’s Restaurant & Inn in 2012 and went on to become head chef at Café Verona as well, providing a wealth of knowledge and taste to every dish he creates.
He has appeared on numerous news station cooking segments, including Fox4 KC and KC Spotlight, as well as featured in local magazines such as IN Kansas City dishing out the occasional recipe. He has also won awards such as the Culinary Fight Club’s steak cook-off. His passion is create, cook, and offer the best food possible.
“I want people to know that I’m back there in the kitchen, cooking for them.”
Chef Bobby Cooks for
Great Day KC
Making Mother’s Day Special
Every Year
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