Community Highlights: Meet Jollene Hastings of Vivilore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jollene Hastings

Hi Jollene, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I remember visiting Vivilore for my birthday in 2019. I sat in the courtyard and was in awe of the beautiful surroundings and this unique restaurant. Fast forward to 2023, my husband (a self-proclaimed “silent partner”) and I started pursuing the purchase of Vivilore. By January of 2024, I became the new owner of Vivilore. I am often asked why I became a restaurant owner, if I’ve never been one before. But no one is a restaurant owner until their first restaurant. You have to start somewhere. I’ve worked as a hostess and server at a couple KC-area restaurants before, including fine dining. But perhaps, more importantly, food was the center of my upbringing. I was raised in a household and culture where love was found in the kitchen and around the dinner table. Food was everything that brought us together. We conveyed love with food, not words. With Vivilore, I wanted to bring that sense of love around the table and share snippets of culture through food.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Change is always hard for people to accept. Coming into a restaurant that has been around for 12 years, a loyal following of regulars was already established. That’s great, but I also came into a restaurant that had not changed its menu in 12 years. I was a new owner with visions of a fresher, slightly more modern menu. I think, as expected, that was faced with mixed reactions. While there were some regulars who were resistant to following Vivilore through the changes, we also felt the support from the who continued to show up through it all AND gained new customers too.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Vivilore?
Vivilore is a celebration destination. We are a restaurant, event space, courtyard, and gift shop/gallery all-in-one. Our lunch menu focuses heavily on sandwiches, that are elevated in flavor. At dinnertime, we become more of a fine dining steakhouse. We are a hidden gem within Independence’s Englewood Arts District. On the restaurant side, you can find a dining room and bar on the first floor, with retail space and artwork throughout the top 3 levels. The courtyard is a boasting point for us that really sets us apart from others. I love seeing the reaction of guests who walk out into the courtyard and say, “This looks like it should be in Europe!” From May-Oct, the courtyard stays booked! In the retail spaces, you can find a variety of treasures from candles and decor, to jewelry and garden statuary. We hope to welcome many new friends this courtyard season, and see plenty of familiar faces, too!

Pricing:

• Appetizers $18-21
• Salads $18
• Handhelds $16-20
• Entrees $20-48
• House-made Pastas $20-28

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vivilore.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vivilorekc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivilorekc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vivilore-independence
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/Sh9oTuK