Local Pig Relocating to City Market, Taking Former Winslow BBQ Space

The Local Pig & Pigwich is leaving the East Bottoms for the former Winslow BBQ space at 20 E. Fifth St. in the City Market with an opening expected in mid-October.

After six years at 2618 Guinotte Ave., co-owners Alex Pope and Matt Kafka began exploring ways to expand Pigwich, a stationary food truck adjacent to Local Pig, according to a press release from KC Commercial Realty Group, the operator of the City Market.

Once they determined renovating their current leased space was not feasible, they began looking for a new home.

“It was really important to find a spot with character,” Pope said in a statement. “I spent months considering various locations, but after one tour of the space at City Market, I knew it was the right spot for us.”

Winslow’s left the River Market last October after being there for 46 years.

To make way for Local Pig renovation, neighboring KC Soda Co. will close Monday, Aug. 27, and re-open Wednesday, Aug. 29, just steps away in a new permanent City Market space at 421 Main, according to the press release.

Once the renovation is complete, Local Pig & Pigwich will be an adjoined space with separate primary entrances on the Fifth Street side and the Market side respectively.

The Local Pig’s departure from the East Bottoms comes at a time that Andy Rieger, the co-founder of Jacob Rieger & Co. distillery is pursuing a concept to renovate the historic nearby Heim Brewery Building as a catalyst to re-energize the old Electric Park area.

The $11.3 million redevelopment proposal tentatively calls for the brick building at 507 Montgall Ave. to be renovated into offices, retail and distillery space, and become the hub of what he’d like to rebrand the “Electric Park” neighborhood.

“We’re sad to see them go,” Rieger said. “We hope they do well, we love those guys.”

Unlike the current Pigwich operation housed in a walk-up trailer, the new location will have plenty of indoor seating to accommodate up to 75 guests with additional seasonal space on the large brick patio, according to the release.

Pigwich will still have counter service, and customers can look forward to a larger menu featuring all their mainstays, plus several additional sandwiches from the former daily specials lineup.

In the release, Pope said the move to City Market will allow them to focus on serving more customers, expanding their selection of locally produced retail items and fine-tuning their overall operation.

“Being at City Market is ideal for our customers who want a turnkey shopping experience,” Pope said in a statement.

“With City Market produce vendors and specialty shops, our customers can find everything they need to eat clean and well.”

Local Pig & Pigwich will operate 7 days a week 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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