AREA Real Estate Advisors

We are proud to announce the promotions of Tiffany Ruzicka, Sean Craven, and Doug Grossenbacher to Partner, highlighting our firm’s commitment to fostering talent and driving growth.

“These well-deserved promotions are a testament to Tiffany, Sean, and Doug’s achievements and contributions to AREA as a whole,” said Tim Schaffer, Founder and President of AREA “Retaining and promoting talent remains a key focus as we continue to grow the team that executes and supports our strategies across our verticals.”

Ruzicka’s new title is Partner and Director of Retail Brokerage. Her expertise includes selling and leasing retail properties, tenant representation, and entertainment concepts. Ruzicka has consistently demonstrated exceptional business acumen, fostered lasting relationships, and showcased unparalleled drive within the industry and firm. Her achievements include representing high-profile clients across multiple sectors, such as University Endowments, renowned chefs, and local and national retailers in the market and across the country.

“Tiffany’s quarterbacking and leadership in lead generation have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the company,” said Schaffer. “She has been an integral part of the AREA team for nearly two decades and has consistently ranked among the top producers, including being the highest producer for us in 2023 and 2024.”

“I have been privileged to work with an incredible team and exceptional clients, and I look forward to continuing to drive success and innovation in the retail sector, further solidifying AREA’s position as a leader in the industry,” said Ruzicka.

Craven has been promoted to Partner and will continue as Director of Office Brokerage. Since joining AREA Real Estate Advisors in 2009, he has showcased his expertise in commercial office brokerage, displaying versatility in transacting deals across various industries. His fifteen-year tenure has been marked by his involvement in project leasing, tenant representation, sales, investment sales, acquisitions, and development site selection.

“Sean’s commitment to excellence extends beyond traditional brokerage roles, as he actively supports repositioning assets for success in the modern office environment,” said Schaffer.

“I am excited to lead our division of office brokers. We will continue to deliver the value and service our clients have come to expect to ensure their success in today’s dynamic real estate landscape,” said Craven.

Doug Grossenbacher has been promoted to Partner and will remain Director of Property Management. He will place an increased emphasis on Business Development, improving processes and efficiency within Property Management through applying new technologies and expanding the offering of management services. Doug’s tenure with AREA began in June 2016, and his leadership has grown the property management division from zero square feet under management to approximately four million square feet today.

“Doug’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in developing our property management services,” said Schaffer. “His commitment to leveraging new technologies and improving efficiencies positions us for continued success and growth.”

“I look forward to continuing to lead our property management division,” said Grossenbacher. The journey from having no properties under management to overseeing four million square feet has been incredibly rewarding. It’s exciting to see where we can go by expanding our services to better serve our clients.”

SKY Real Estate has recently acquired the American Family Insurance campus in St. Joseph, MO. The three-building campus is located on Mitchell Avenue, across from Missouri Western University near the intersection of I-29 and 36 Hwy. Spanning more than 360,000 SF, the facility offers best-in-class amenities with fully furnished suites ranging from 150 to 5,000 square feet. There is also availability for larger tenants needing up to 225,000 square feet.

Enhancements to the common areas, signage upgrades, and a rebranding of the building to the STJ Office Campus are all efforts SKY RE is making to show its commitment to the St. Joe community. “We believe in the momentum of the St. Joseph market, particularly with respect to its proximity to Kansas City and the new airport, just 30 minutes away,” Grammer said. “This acquisition allows us to offer a wide variety of office solutions, from furnished suites to larger-scale blocks, catering to diverse tenant needs.”

AREA Real Estate Advisors’ Jay Hawkins & Tim Schaffer will work alongside Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stein & Summers Real Estate to lease the campus. AREA also manages the office park.

To read the farticle from News Press NOW click here. To read the Kansas City Business Journal’s article, click here.

For Leasing Information click here.

Penny’s, the fourth concept from the owners of Bamboo Penny’s, will open this summer in The Shops of Prairie Village. Penny and Doug Mufuka’s newest concept will take over the former Gravity space with its expansive patio at 4160 West 71st Street.

The Thai eatery will feature a selection of the wildly popular Thai and Asian dishes from Bamboo Penny’s, and will also feature more signature dishes from Penny’s native Thailand that she currently rotates through Bamboo Penny’s as limited weekly specials. An extensive cocktail program is planned, led by beverage director Jenn Tossato, in addition to a large selection of wine and beer and non-alcoholic cocktails.

The Mufukas opened the award-winning and extremely popular Bamboo Penny’s in Leawood’s Park Place in 2021. The couple recently opened Aqua Penny’s as a coastal seafood concept, also in Park Place. The Mufukas also own KC Thai, located at 135^th St. and Quivira Road.

Penny’s new restaurant is a 5,951 square-foot space, including the large patio. AREA’s Tiffany Ruzicka worked with the Mufukas on lease negotiations for the space.

Emler Swim School will open its third Kansas City Metro location this June in the Northland. The newest location, at 8350 N. Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64118, is on the southeast corner of Highway 169 and Barry Road and is currently registering swimmers with a June 10th opening date.

Emler Swim School entered the Kansas City market in 2014 with their first location at 3612 W 135th St in Leawood, KS. In 2018, AREA helped open their second location at 47th Ave & Mission Road in Westwood, KS in Northwood Shopping Center.

Emler’s award-winning program teaches water safety and swimming lessons to infants, toddlers preschoolers, and kids. The swim school has over 30 locations across Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Oregon.

AREA’s Tiffany Ruzicka represents Emler in the Kansas City Market.

T’ähä Mexican Kitchen will take over the recently closed Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar at Welsh Plaza, 900 W 48^th Place in Kansas City, MO.

T’ähä Mexican Kitchen is a new concept from owner and chef Fidel Gomez, of Little Hacienda. Little Hacienda has 2 locations in Branson and Hollister, MO that have been in operation for over 20 years.

Fidel immigrated to Fayetteville, Arkansas from Hidalgo, Mexico in 1997 and worked his way up from a dishwasher to a general manager at local Mexican restaurants. Little Hacienda Branson was first opened in 1999 after Fidel visited Branson on a family vacation. He noticed the lack of Mexican restaurants in the area and decided to open up a restaurant that he and his family could call their own.

Fidel’s youngest son, Jose, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City this past May. Since Jose’s move to Kansas City in 2019, the Gomez family has regularly visited him from Branson. Jose spoke very highly of the local community and kept his family abreast of new and exciting local developments in the service, arts, and entertainment industries.

“It goes without saying that Kansas City is a jewel of the Midwest. Crazy celebrity couples, NFL championships, world class soccer tournaments and major infrastructure developments throughout the city have only served to prove to the nation that Kansas City is the place to be. Our decision to expand to Kansas City felt natural. We are excited to become a part of the local community and bring something entirely new to the city,” said Fidel.

The 5,276 SF restaurant space is on the ground level of the mixed-use building, formerly called Plaza Vista. Located just west of the plaza, the building is connected to The Fontaine Hotel and anchored by Polsinelli law firm, as well as other restaurants and bars- JJ’s Restaurant and The Monarch bar. “Authentic and quality Mexican cuisine that Kansas City has been begging for in the Plaza District is finally coming to life!” Said Tiffany Ruzica of AREA Real Estate Advisors.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar has been a part of Welsh Plaza for 10 years, closing its doors at the beginning of this year.

AREA’s Tiffany Ruzicka negotiated the transaction on behalf of T’ähä and Welsh Plaza owners.

Click here to read The Kansas City Business Journal’s article.