The Iowa-based brewery will open its next taproom in spring 2026, transforming a long-vacant Macy’s site with beer, food, and funding for neighborhood projects through its Big Grove for Good foundation
One of Iowa’s largest and most community-driven breweries is planting roots in the Kansas City metro. Big Grove Brewery announced plans to open a new taproom and brewery in Prairie Village, Kansas, in spring 2026—revitalizing a long-dormant former Macy’s site with beer, food, and a mission to uplift local neighborhoods.
The new location, part of a broader redevelopment of The Shops of Prairie Village, marks Big Grove’s first foray into Kansas and comes as the brand continues a multi-state expansion. Construction is already underway at the corner of West 71st Street and Mission Road, a site that had sat empty for more than a decade before a recent “wall breaking” ceremony signaled a fresh chapter.
“We toured multiple locations in the area, and Prairie Village immediately made us feel like we were at home in a more neighborhood setting, part of the community,” said Matt Swift, CEO and co-founder of Big Grove. “The site itself is undergoing a transformation, and we’re looking forward to being a catalyst of that change.”
From Macy’s to microgrants: Craft beer meets community revitalization
Big Grove’s expansion isn’t just about new tap handles—it’s about local impact. Through its nonprofit arm, Big Grove for Good, the brewery supports micro-grants and grassroots partnerships in the regions where it operates. Its “Neighborhood Beer” program—launched earlier this year—is designed to funnel $1 from every case sold directly into community-driven projects. With Big Grove beer already distributed in the Kansas market since March, the Prairie Village area is now eligible to receive those funds.
“It’s not just about where we sell beer,” said Swift. “It’s about where we can show up and make a difference.”
In addition to the Neighborhood Beer initiative, Big Grove for Good manages an annual community grant program, a “Beers for a Cause” series, and other philanthropic efforts focused on trails, trees, water, equity, and “Our Backyard” initiatives.
What to expect from the new Big Grove taproom
Specific details of the Prairie Village taproom design are still in development, but it will reflect Big Grove’s signature style: spacious, lively, and rooted in the local community. Other locations—in Solon, Iowa City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and soon Omaha—have become economic engines and cultural hubs, drawing crowds with elevated pub fare, award-winning beer, and regular events.
Big Grove’s beer portfolio includes the GABF gold-winning hazy IPA Easy Eddy, the silver-medal Festbier, and popular seasonals like Citrus Surfer Fruited Wheat. Its combination of quality, approachability, and regional loyalty has helped place it among the top 75 craft breweries by barrel production in the United States.
A strategic, community-powered expansion
While many breweries are tightening belts, Big Grove is betting on purpose-driven growth. Its Omaha location—set in a repurposed steel mill—is slated to open this fall. The Kansas taproom will follow next spring, with more details expected once construction progresses.
“Big Grove Brewery’s commitment to community and their unique vision make them a perfect addition to The Shops of Prairie Village,” said Emily Gagliardi of First Washington Realty, which owns the shopping center. “They help ensure the center remains vibrant for years to come.”
It’s a sentiment Big Grove has earned city by city. And with Prairie Village next on its map, the brewery is bringing more than beer—it’s bringing a playbook for how to grow with heart.
