The Big Biscuit coming to Topeka

A Kansas City-based breakfast establishment has plans to bring a location to Topeka.

The Big Biscuit, which has several locations in Kansas City and one in Lawrence, will occupy space in the former Villa West Shopping Center at 2827 S.W. Wanamaker Road.

The Big Biscuit serves items such as biscuits and gravy, omelettes, pancakes, burgers, chicken and salads.

Jason Paetzold, one of the owners of The Big Biscuit, said the Lawrence location gets a lot of people coming in from Topeka, and adding a location was a "very logical step in our expansion."

Paetzold said it's unknown right now when construction of the Topeka location will begin due to the shopping center being refurbished.

"The landlord is really doing an incredible job of giving that a complete facelift, and once that's completed we will step in," Paetzold said. "Really there is no delay on our part, (we) are just waiting for all the pieces of the puzzle to unfold so that we can get in there and begin construction."

While a construction date is not set, Paetzold said The Big Biscuit will be open within 120 days from when construction begins.

The former Villa West Shopping Center, which has been renamed Sherwood Crossing, is being redeveloped by Overland Park-based 29th Street Partners, LLC.

The 14 acres of property at the northwest corner of S.W. 29th and Wanamaker will be demolished and redeveloped in multiple phases.

Paetzold said The Big Biscuit wants to provide a neighborhood atmosphere that allows people to enjoy the breakfast and lunch they grew up on.

"We definitely have a Southern-inspired menu that makes people feel at home and our staff and team — our smiles are as big as our biscuits," Paetzold said. "Those two things really just are what we hope to bring, and we are confident if we deliver on our promise, the people in Topeka will just embrace it and enjoy it as part of their daily lives."