As part of our Uncovering History Project, the Midtown KC Post is examining each block in Midtown. A set of 1940 tax assessment photos is available for many blocks.
We’ve already featured the north side of West 39th Street between State Line and Bell, but a reader whose grandfather used to own some buildings there asked us what we knew about the south side of the block, where Jimmy’s Jigger sits today.
Records were sketchy before the 1950s, but the establishment was called Bigger Jigger 2 before it was Jimmy’s Jigger. The Accurso family owned several “Bigger Jiggers” across the city. Anthony Accurso sold this one to O. Jimmy Bowers in 1962. In 1959, the newspaper advertisement on the right shows music and dancing.
The earliest records of the block come from 1913 when 1819 West 39th housed the A. Morrison Jr. Farm Company is a Midtown dairy business supplying milk to nearby residents. In the 1920s, newspaper accounts listed 1819 West 39th as the Ever Ready Garage, where people who lived nearby stored their cars. It was damaged by fire in 1920. Later, in the 1940s tax photos, this building was the home of the Superior Meat and Sausage Company. That company, founded by 1926, later changed its name to Fritz’s Meat and Superior Sausage and moved in 1969.
At 1807 West 39th was a building that, at least for a while, served as a pool hall. On the corner of 30th and Bell in 1940, the photo is identified as J.A. Peterson, one of a chain of variety stores in Kansas City.
Photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library, Missouri Valley Special Collections.
The block in 1940.
I was the one who asked you about this corner. My Grandpa owned the whole square at one time. I really appreciate you doing this article. I have been working to get as much information about the history of the Jigger as I can. I have some more to add to this if you’re interested. Please feel free to email me anytime and I will give you my contact information.
Thanks for your time,
Tim Griggs.
Hi…
When did Jimmy Bowers arrive on the scene?
Jimmy Bowers was my Grandfather, he started working at The Bigger Jigger in 1953.
I think the Rainbow market just east of the Jigger (between Bell and state line) was eventually called Grimes grocery…we used to go there early in the morning to buy lunch meat for sandwiches. Anyone remember this store, or the owners?
My first job was at Grimes Grocery on Saturdays from November 1947 to July 1948. It was located on the south side of 39th Street, a little east of Bell and west of Genessee, The owner was Sherman Grimes. Mrs. Grimes also worked there. They lived just south of Valentine Road and a few blocks west of Summit.
I do not know whether it was ever named Rainbow Market, a name I never heard.
I lived on the Missouri side of the Stateline right off 39th growing up, right down from the liquor store on the corner. Our homes are gone now because of the redevelopment. I know what was in a lot of those buildings from the time I knew it. I was born in 1951. I will tell you what I remember. I still love the whole area. It will take a couple of days but I want to get my ducks in a row. Back to you soon. Love this site.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Love, love, love all the history! I stumbled across this article while doing a little research. I’ve held onto a super old neon beer sign that once hung at Jimmy Jiggers…..strong chance it had been there since early 1930’s. Still digging for more info. I’ve had it since mid 80’s and might be ready to find it a new home. The history is amazing in this article!
Liz my name is Tim Bowers, my Grandpa was Jimmy Bowers (owner of Jimmy’s Jigger for many years) I would love to have anything that came from the Jigger. Please email me at timg1823@gmail.com
Thank you.
Hi Liz, my name is Tim Bowers and my Grandpa was Jimmy Bowers. He owned the Jigger for many years and I would love to have a neon from the Jigger. Please email me at timg1823@gmail.com
Thank you very much.
Hi Liz, my name is Tim Bowers and Jimmy Bowers was my Grandpa. I would love to see the neon you mentioned, if you are interested in getting rid of it I’d love to have it. Please email me at Bowersbar0@gmail.com thank you!
Lived at 3909 Bell in early 1950s as a child. Remember Sherman Grimes and dry goods store named Hausers. Also there was a barber shop. There were apartments above Grimes grocery store. Get in touch with me. I may remember more.