KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – This month, a new Mediterranean restaurant opened in midtown at The Offices at Park 39, the renovated former Westport Middle School. Its name, Nour’s, honors Chef Marwan Chebaro’s daughter, who passed away from medical complications.
“When she was a day old, we discovered she had a congenital heart disease,” said Chebaro. “She was missing her aorta. She had seven open-heart surgeries in the first seven years of her life. It was a miracle she survived this long. When she was three months shy of her 30th birthday, her heart finally gave out.”
Chebaro says their goal with the space is to create a community in a good atmosphere with some good food. In the corner of the restaurant, Chebaro has set up a shrine to Nour and other family members, like his parents. He encourages patrons to bring something for their loved ones to place on the shrine.
“We need to celebrate the living and the dead,” said Chebaro. “You adore them and love them and have value in your heart. Leave something here for them. If you lost someone that you love, it is the same approach. Honor them here. Leave something, a tribute to them here that everyone can see. It creates a connection between our guests and their loved ones here.”
Nour means ‘light’ in Arabic. Chebaro says despite her health, Nour was happy. He says his daughter’s strength and light encouraged everyone who knew her; he wants to carry that forward with the food, space, and community they are building at Nour’s.
“She loved to eat, and she loved people,” said Chebaro. “She connected with people really easily. She was never afraid to approach someone and greet them, talk to them. She definitely had a gift, a divine gift in her. She didn’t have a chance to leave her own legacy. What a beautiful tribute that we can give her that can honor her presence on earth.”
The restaurant features indoor and patio dining and a small retail market with grab-and-go meals, dinner kits, spices, and pantry goods. On Tuesday afternoons, an outdoor farmers market will be set up, followed by live music. Nour’s will also have a ‘Jazz Brunch’ with live music on Sunday mornings.
“We are super excited to have Nour’s here,” said Andrew Brain, co-principal of Brain Group, the developers of Park 39. “We always wanted a restaurant as a part of the campus and Nour’s feels like it’s really found it’s home.”
It’s the latest development at the Park 39 campus, which opened The Residences at Park 39 apartments in the former Westport High School last year.
Brain says they’re actively looking to expand, including adding more apartments and amenities, as well as retail plans.
“More of a nighttime entertainment, family entertainment-type use,” said Brain. “We have plans for more apartments on the east side of the old high school. We have some more fun ideas we’re not ready to announce yet, but a really cool concept, hopefully for the north side of the office project.”
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