News

Jul 23, 2023

His JoCo bar was up for a James Beard Award. His place next door opens with a twist

Jay Sanders was going to open a wine bar. That had been the original plan, at least. In 2021, he had been operating his cocktail bar, Drastic Measures — a James Beard Award finalist — for about a

Jay Sanders was going to open a wine bar.

That had been the original plan, at least.

In 2021, he had been operating his cocktail bar, Drastic Measures — a James Beard Award finalist — for about a year. Then the shop next door, Shawnee Shoe Repair and Tailoring, moved away, and he began envisioning a second business for the empty space: a sleek, sophisticated hangout spot his parents might enjoy.

While he was serving drinks at Drastic Measures one night, a woman out with friends pulled him aside.

“‘I’m gonna order a cocktail, but I need you to not put alcohol in it,’” she told him. “‘I’m expecting, but it’s too early, and we can’t share that yet.’”

“‘Absolutely,’” Sanders responded, discreetly omitting alcohol from the drink. But the conversation stuck with him long after, making him second-guess his wine bar ambitions.

“I was like … ‘What if I made that a space where if you don’t drink, we put just as much care and attention into that?’” Sanders said.

At 11022 Johnson Drive, his new bar, Wild Child, is just that.

The bar officially opens Wednesday, with reservations to get in going live Sunday morning. To book, visit wildchildkc.com/reservations.

Its menu is one-third wine, one-third cocktails, one-third nonalcoholic cocktails, Sanders said. Menu stars include its nonalcoholic “French” and the “Palomania” — made with grapefruit, clarified watermelon, chipotle vinegar, lime, agave and salt.

Sanders and business partners Derick and Shelley Shackelford make their own nonalcoholic spirits through a special vacuum distillation process, gallons at a time, before they’re mixed into cocktails.

Sanders dropped a square ice cube in a glass and poured in a vibrant red Negroni, explaining that the machine removed the gin’s alcohol content without compromising the taste.

“There’s a lot of people who message us and are like, ‘I don’t drink. Thank you for building this space for us,’” Sanders said.

Inside, speakers hang from the ceiling next to artwork and houseplants. Light pours in from a row of windows, its walls covered in a large pink and orange floral print. Patrons sit at dark oak tables in rust-colored leather seats.

The airy design was intentional, Sanders said. “I’m tired of working in a basement. … I want to juice lemons and see birds.”

Sanders spent a year perfecting his lo-fi chill playlist, making sure each mellow tune fits Wild Child’s funky vibe.

The name, too, is meant to match the feel of the bar, but it’s also a nod to Sanders’ childhood nickname. He and his brother, just a year apart, were known as “Wild Dog One” and “Wild Dog Two.”

His family remains an inspiration behind his business ventures. Invitation-only soft openings began Thursday, and they were some of the first people to RSVP.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do anything in life without their support system,” he said.

Sanders’ introduction to the bar scene began years ago at Room 39, where he began experimenting with drinks. He worked a few other industry jobs, managing a bar in Florida and working at SoT in the Crossroads, before founding Drastic Measures in 2020.

This spring, Sanders found out Drastic Measures was a James Beard finalist, boosting excitement around Wild Child.

“That changed everything for us around here,” he said.

Construction for Wild Child began in August, slowing for technical delays before quickening at the beginning of this year.

While the drink menu is plentiful, it doesn’t carry any beer, out of respect for nearby breweries.

Downtown Shawnee is growing into an entertainment district, with new bars popping up, such as District Pour House and Friction Beer Co. The area’s reasonably priced rent was a draw for Sanders.

“You’re a silly goose if you’re not opening a bar or brewery in Johnson County right now,” he said.

Over the last several weeks, Sanders has heard from excited customers, he said. He’s eager to see how business will compare to his hopping bar next door, which has lines out the door regularly.

Starting Wednesday, Wild Child will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays.