ITALIAN GARDENS RESTAURANT
ITALIAN GARDENS RESTAURANT
Finally, the iconic Italian Gardens neon sign calls LUMI home. Since our beginning in 2017, we’ve had our LUMI sights set on this historically significant sign which until 2024 remained out of reach. LUMI is indebted to Kansas City attorney and LUMI board member Brian F. McCallister for helping us acquire this neon classic. Significant, additional funding (as well as manual rescue labor) by LUMI President Nick and LUMI board member Nick Yoss also helped make this acquisition a reality.
Now, LUMI is asking for your help. Safely stored for now, our 97th neon acquisition is in desperate need of extensive, professional restoration. Former Italian Gardens President John David DiCapo is generously leading our fundraising charge with his $1,000 donation. Please join John’s lead with your GoFundMe contribution, large or small, to support this worthy effort to relight a beloved Kansas City icon.
First opened in 1925 as Il Trovatore by Johnny Bondon and his nephew Frank Lipari at 13th and Walnut Streets, Italian Gardens at 1110 Baltimore Avenue in 1933 where it served and entertained presidents, politicians, prize fighters, movie stars, and of course, loyal Kansas City patrons for 78 years. From the early 50s on, most were greeted by Kansas City “civic leader extraordinaire” Carl J. DiCapo, nephew to Johnny Bondon, father to John David DiCapo and longtime proprietor of the restaurant. Italian Gardens closed in 2003 and with LUMI’s help, will never be forgotten.
Once restored, Italian Gardens will stand among the brightest stars on LUMI’s neon alley at Pennway Point, Kansas City’s newest entertainment venue, home to the . There, it will entertain and enlighten visitors to its prominent place in Kansas City history.
Just mention Italian Gardens to friends and families and you’ll hear them reminisce about the days of going out to dinner downtown, or where one dined after senior prom, or their days of frequent and friendly business lunches at “the Gardens.” For visitors, it was often the highlight of their trip to the big city.
Finally, the iconic Italian Gardens neon sign calls LUMI home. Since our beginning in 2017, we’ve had our LUMI sights set on this historically significant sign which until 2024 remained out of reach. LUMI is indebted to Kansas City attorney and LUMI board member Brian F. McCallister for helping us acquire this neon classic. Significant, additional funding (as well as manual rescue labor) by LUMI President Nick and LUMI board member Nick Yoss also helped make this acquisition a reality.
Now, LUMI is asking for your help. Safely stored for now, our 97th neon acquisition is in desperate need of extensive, professional restoration. Former Italian Gardens President John David DiCapo is generously leading our fundraising charge with his $1,000 donation. Please join John’s lead with your GoFundMe contribution, large or small, to support this worthy effort to relight a beloved Kansas City icon.
First opened in 1925 as Il Trovatore by Johnny Bondon and his nephew Frank Lipari at 13th and Walnut Streets, Italian Gardens at 1110 Baltimore Avenue in 1933 where it served and entertained presidents, politicians, prize fighters, movie stars, and of course, loyal Kansas City patrons for 78 years. From the early 50s on, most were greeted by Kansas City “civic leader extraordinaire” Carl J. DiCapo, nephew to Johnny Bondon, father to John David DiCapo and longtime proprietor of the restaurant. Italian Gardens closed in 2003 and with LUMI’s help, will never be forgotten.
Once restored, Italian Gardens will stand among the brightest stars on LUMI’s neon alley at Pennway Point, Kansas City’s newest entertainment venue, home to the . There, it will entertain and enlighten visitors to its prominent place in Kansas City history.
Just mention Italian Gardens to friends and families and you’ll hear them reminisce about the days of going out to dinner downtown, or where one dined after senior prom, or their days of frequent and friendly business lunches at “the Gardens.” For visitors, it was often the highlight of their trip to the big city.
