Iconic Gladstone Italian Restaurant, Sutera's, Closes Its Last Location

| June 18, 2024

Gladstone, MO - After decades of serving up traditional Italian-American cuisine across Kansas City, Sutera’s has shuttered its final location in Gladstone. The restaurant, located at 6523 N. Oak Trafficway, closed its doors for good recently, marking the end of an era for the iconic local chain.

Sutera’s originally rose to prominence in 1976 when Vince and Agnes Sutera opened the first establishment, Sutera’s Old San Francisco, in the historic West Bottoms area. Over the years, the Sutera family expanded their culinary empire, with several of their nine children opening additional locations across the Kansas City metro.

The closure of the Gladstone location follows a series of shutdowns in recent years. Owner Bruce Hamilton, who took over operations after the Sutera family's era, confirmed the closure but did not provide further comment on the matter. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Sutera’s is now "permanently closed," with movers seen clearing out furniture and equipment as recently as Monday afternoon.

The history of Sutera’s is deeply intertwined with Kansas City’s dining culture, offering classic dishes like spaghetti, meatballs, and pizza to generations of loyal patrons. Despite its storied past and widespread popularity, shifting consumer preferences and economic challenges have ultimately led to the demise of this beloved establishment.

For many longtime residents and fans of Italian cuisine in Gladstone, the closure marks the end of an era. The Sutera family’s legacy, however, lives on in the memories of those who enjoyed their hearty meals and warm hospitality over the years.

Attempts to reach Bruce Hamilton for additional comment on the closure were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

As Gladstone continues to evolve, the closure of Sutera’s serves as a poignant reminder of the changing landscape of local businesses and the cherished memories they leave behind.