The 89-year-old bar in Johnson County closed last year. Here’s what opened in its place

The Silver Wheel was perhaps one of the oldest – if not the oldest – bars in Johnson County.

It opened in the 1930s at 8385 Penner Ave. in De Soto, near a small gas station. Back then, it was a popular place for dancing and even hosted alcohol-free nights for teenagers.

It survived World War II, several recessions and the pandemic. Then it closed last year after then-owner Richard Prater suffered a heart attack. (He renamed it Prater’s Silver Wheel Tavern when he took over about two years ago.)

Now a new restaurant has been opened in its place.

Manny Garnun and his parents, Manuel and Christina Garcia, bought the store and reopened it a few weeks ago as Leo’s Kitchen and Patio.

The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and is open late for bar-goers on Fridays and Saturdays.

Garnun himself has difficulty categorizing the room.

“I wanted it to be a sports bar with good food, but it became a restaurant that served really good drinks,” he said. “We wanted to have a girls’ night, do karaoke, but also have the guys come here tomorrow to watch the game.”

Some dishes on the breakfast menu: the Country Omelette (ham, sausage, bacon, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and cheddar cheese) and the Sunrise (two eggs, two strips of bacon, ham or sausage).

In the afternoon, guests can order options such as the Fiesta Burger (lettuce, tomato, pepper jack, chorizo, avocado and mayo on a sesame bun, topped with a chili torado), a chicken sandwich or chicken wings.

Garnun noted that the burgers were especially popular.

He left some elements of the bar the same. The old silver bike hangs next to the sign in front. It still resembles an old house, its exterior has the same eggshell color.

The attentive eye may notice that the “L” in the Leo logo has a loop at the top – a reference to the wheel.

Inside, however, Garnun completely remodeled the bathrooms, floors, bar area and kitchen.

But Garnun’s favorite addition is undoubtedly the red brick patio. He has big visions for the outdoor space – live music, more TVs, an outdoor bar.

“I’m not finished yet,” he said.

Before Garnun and his parents opened Leo’s, they owned Don Manuel at 920 E. Old Highway in Olathe. They sold it before the COVID-19 pandemic. Today it is El Saguaro Mexican Grill y Night Club.

However, many still remember Garnun’s former clothing store in downtown De Soto, Aventura, where he and his mother were a joint venture that sold, among other things, prom dresses. The store closed a few years ago.

Nevertheless, many of his old customers came by when Leo’s opened and brought flowers, cards and other gifts.

“I wish I had recorded it, but it only lives in my head,” he said. “I still remember opening the door and seeing their big smiles.”

As for the name, Garnun said his father always talked about wanting to open a restaurant called Leo’s. Additionally, Garnun and his parents’ zodiac sign is Leo (the looped “L” also resembles the Leo symbol).

While Garnun is excited about what’s to come, he says he’s honored to be part of a place with such heritage, and many of the Silver Wheel’s regulars have been eager to return.

“We hear a lot about the history, all the stories of this place,” he said. “I tell people, ‘Bring pictures.'”

Leo’s is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garnun said hours are subject to change.