Decades ago, Midtown Kansas City had a grocery store in almost every neighborhood. Before the advent of large chain “supermarkets,” grocery stores were often literally mom-and-pop businesses. They grew up along streetcar lines and within walking distance of Midtown residential areas.
This map shows all the groceries within Midtown boundaries in 1949, based on a May 1949 Kansas City Star newspaper advertisement.
The Valentine neighborhood had several small markets in 1940, both on Broadway and Summit Street (which later became Southwest Trafficway).
The Manheim Park, neighborhood had an A & P market at 4625 Troost.
In Volker, residents could walk or ride the streetcar to a Kroger store at 1423 W. 39th.
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.
In 1936, we lived one block from Martin’s Market. My brother and I would be given a penny, each, and would walk up to Martin’s to buy candy. My brother, Bob, who was older, would buy one “banana b-b-bat” – (a rectangle of hard taffy, on a stick).
I always got cinnamon squares – as my penny warranted two cinnamon squares. They were squares of hard, red, cinnamon candy – dusted with sugar. So, I learned, early, that the best buy, was 2 for 1. I learned to love cinnamon squares !!!
When I lived at 4307 Warwick in 1971, the building at 43rd and Oak was a grocery. I don’t remember the name. I don’t believe I see it on the map.
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The market at 43rd and Oak (NW corner) was the J&G Market. It was a great little store with a quality meat department. It served a very diverse neighborhood – older folks who’d lived there for many years, and students from UMKC and the KC Art Institute. The owners and employees treated all their customers like family, and like family, we were fiercely loyal to J&G.
I worked at J & G Market in the late 80s. That was quite a fun neighborhood to live in. We had a very eclectic customer base. I would say a good 85% of our customers were walk-ins from the neighborhood. I really have fond memories from my time working there.
There used to be a small grocery store at 51st and main called Wieners. Had a screen door with a bell on the door when you opened it. Next door to country club pharmacy. On the other side was Pauls Deli. He had short history version on posters all around the ceiling. Excellent sweet rolls. My first legal beer.
There was a small grocery store on 41st street and Holly in the sixties when I was growing up,.I do not remember the name of store
There is an old building at 41st and Oak that appears to have been a grocery. Does anybody have any info on that ?
Trying to figure out the name of the grocery store on 25th and Brooklyn in KCMO in 1985
The A&P store building at 4625 Troost is still there and in business as a True Value store. Hardly any change from the picture above.
Does anyone remember the old Main Street Supermarket locates just west of the intersection of 43st and Main St.?on the east side of Main St. at 43 st. Was a pizza parlor. Both buildings were bombed one night in the early 70’s. Anyone remember this?
In the late 1950’s, there was a small grocery store on the West side of Gilliam Rd. just off 34st and next door to Berbiglia Liquors. Believe the name was Milhams Market. It was eventually closed and replaced by a bar known as Arabian Nights. As a kid, mom would send me to the store and pick-up bread, milk, etc. for the family.
I remember hearing the blasts late at nite that destroyed Main St. Supermarket and the Pizza place on the East side of Main St. Common knowledge on the street, organized crime was members were feuding and this was a part of their disagreements. River Quay (sp?) bombings also a part of in-house fighting-all over parking rights and a desire to move 12st activities to the River area.
Does anyone remember the grocery store on the northeast corner of 33rd and Woodland ? It was across the street from the Ivanhoe Drug store. My parents always referred to the grocery store as “Lew’s” I guess because that was the guy’s name that owned it. This was in the mid to late 50’s.
There was a small grocerystore on 41st street and Holly in the sixties when I was growing up ,I do not remember name of store
There was a store on the SW corner of 35th and Woodland called “Blaine’s”. As a little kid I’d walk about 2 blocks to get stuff for my mom to make dinner
There was a small grocery store at 41st street and Hollywhen I was growing up in the sixties ,I do not remember the name of the store
My great grandparents had a grocery store at 4000 Wayne, in 1920. I sure wish I could find out the name and get a picture of it. The property is a park now. Thanks you!
There was a small mom and pop market on Broadway about 33 rd street called Purity market. I lived on Central right behind the Westport Arms and we used to walk up there to get groceries. It wasn’t too far from Jack Frost Doughnuts that was in the VFW building on the west side of Broadway. Best warm doughnuts I ever had and they were only 5 cents! Yum!
My grandfather Tom Neubert and his brother Elmer had a grocery store at 41st and Holly called Neubert’s Grocery. They ran it for about 40 years. I know my grandfather returned home to Kansas City around. 1915 and retired
some time in the late 50s. There is an old picture of his garage across the drive with little delivery trucks. I would love to find a picture of the old store. The building is still standing as an apartment building.
Dose anyone remember Broadmoor’s Super market on Main between 48th & 49th St. It was accross the Street from E.C. White Grade School. As I lgrew up at 4910 Wyandotte and frequented the store a lot, and I knew Mr. Horratwitzz one of the Owners. Also I have written a story of my experience and shnanigans of delivering KC Star & Time Newspapers in 1951-54, to Apartments & Homes of over 1100 customers in a 40 square block area South from Brush creek. I’m looking for other’s who had similar route experience’s and any pictures of the pickup trucks with the open added back platform under a canopy roof for my story!