Larks Landing Downtown, New ‘Active’ Entertainment Franchise

By Kevin Collison

A new “active entertainment” concept that offers affordable, easy social activities including shuffleboard and arcade games with multiple players is planned for a unique location at 11th and Walnut.

Dallas-based Larks Entertainment is opening a Larks franchise in the space below the WallStreet Tower condos formerly occupied by The Clubhouse Experience which closed during the Covid pandemic.

Curt Skallerup, Larks founder and CEO, said the Kansas City location is part of a big push to launch Larks around the country.

The firm also has outlets in the works for Dallas and Nashville, and wants to grow by 30- to 40 stores annually.

Larks will be located in a sunken plaza beneath the cantilevered portion of WallStreet Tower.

Skallerup said the downtown space at 1101 Walnut was attractive because Clubhouse Experience already had built a kitchen and bar there. The former operator also left behind its six golf simulators and two shuffleboard courts.

The previous operator’s investment means Larks won’t have a huge lift to convert it to its concept.

“This could be open by the end of the summer,” Skallerup said.

The Larks  will be located in a unique feature of a tower that once housed the Mercantile Bank. The building is cantilevered over a sunken plaza area with 12,000 square feet of interior space and a 3,500 square foot outdoor patio.

The Larks is expected to include pool tables and a bar. (Rendering from Larks Entertainment)

Skallerup said Larks should be a “place to hang out like Cheers,” referring to the popular TV comedy series about a Boston bar. He estimated the space could accommodate up to 400 people.

In addition to shuffleboard and traditional yard games, the new place plans to feature the latest arcade games that are designed to have multiple players. It also will feature shareable food including quesadillas, flatbread and charcuterie boards.

When asked about the price point for its entertainment offerings, Skallerup replied, “It’s priced so everyone can play it, it’s for the masses.” He also said it would be a family-friendly environment that would include kids’ games.