A sweets shop specializing in single-serve jarred desserts opens its first Johnson County location this summer at Hawthorne Plaza in southern Overland Park. Owned by chef Fabio Viviani, a former "Top Chef" contestant and Fan Favorite, Jars by Fabio Viviani occupies the former Bingbox soft serve space at 4937 W. 119th St. This debut marks the brand's entry into the Kansas City metro amid a national expansion push.
Jarred Innovation from a Celebrity Chef
Fabio Viviani founded Jars by Fabio Viviani in early 2023, starting with a Chicago outpost that introduced desserts packaged in convenient jars. Flavors reimagine classics like tres leches cake, chocolate s'mores, blueberry cheesecake, and salted caramel pecan pie, each designed for individual portions that emphasize portability and freshness. Viviani, who competed on two seasons of Bravo's "Top Chef," brings his restaurant experience—spanning multiple concepts nationwide—to this sweets-focused venture, blending indulgence with modern convenience.
First Kansas City Footprint in Hawthorne Plaza
The Overland Park shop anchors at the west end of Hawthorne Plaza, sharing space with André’s Confiserie Suisse and PAINT Nail Bar. Bingbox, the soft serve ice cream spot that previously filled the 4937 W. 119th St. address, shuttered in fall 2023, leaving room for this dessert arrival. As the brand's inaugural site in Johnson County and the broader Kansas City area, it positions Jars amid a local dining scene that favors quick, shareable treats.
Expansion Signals Broader Dessert Trends
Currently, Jars operates three locations: the Chicago original plus outposts in Fort Worth, Texas, and Laguna Niguel, California. A company press release outlines plans for additional Kansas City-area shops alongside growth in Texas and California, reflecting rising demand for grab-and-go gourmet desserts. This model taps into consumer shifts toward single-serve formats that reduce waste and suit on-the-move lifestyles, while Viviani's profile elevates jarred sweets from novelty to neighborhood staple.
