Almost every neighborhood had a grocery store

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midtownkcposter
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One of Midtown's early local grocery stores was Martin's Market at 1507 W. 47th, seen here in 1940.
One of Midtown’s early local grocery stores was Martin’s Market at 1507 W. 47th, seen here in 1940.

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).

Sol's Market at 3305 Summit Street in 1940.
Sol’s Market at 3305 Summit Street in 1940.

The Manheim Park,  neighborhood had an A & P market at 4625 Troost.

A&P-4625-TROOST-MANHEIM

In Volker, residents could walk or ride the streetcar to a Kroger store at 1423 W. 39th.

kroger-1423-w.-39th-volker

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.

Comments

11 responses to “Almost every neighborhood had a grocery store”

  1. Mary Symons Avatar
    Mary Symons

    My grandfather and great aunt owned 2 grocery stores in the Kansas City MO area in 1950 thru 1965. G and M grocery I believe that they were named. Im trying to find info on them… Geha and Mansour is what G&M stood for.

    Reply
  2. Wes Hill Avatar
    Wes Hill

    Does anyone remember the Sander’s A&G grocery located at the N.E. corner of 43rd. and Main?
    That was my first real job where I served as a sacker, stocker and delivery boy just as I was about to enter Westport High.

    Reply
  3. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Knights grocery store. 4500 Prostect. Southdwesr corner

    Reply
  4. Wes Hill Avatar
    Wes Hill

    There was an A&P grocery on the north side of Westport Rd. located just east of the Westport Library. When I was a kid, in the late 40’s & 50’s, my mother used to shop there on occasion but she usley did her weekly shopping @ the nearby Milgram’s store on Main across from Katz. During the weekl purchases were made at one of the two small neighborhood stores nearby.

    Reply
    1. Pat Starner Avatar
      Pat Starner

      If you’re talking about the grocery store at the corner of Baltimore and Westport Road, that was Safeway Store #313. I worked there while I was in high school stocking shelves, mopping floors, checking, and sacking–every job except cutting meat which was considered a skilled trade. Chuck Erwin was the store manager and a really swell guy to work for.

      Reply
  5. Donna Jenkins Avatar
    Donna Jenkins

    Donna

    Reply
  6. Sheila Cooper Avatar
    Sheila Cooper

    There were 3 Stores in my neighborhood in the 1950s. I cannot remember Store Names, just location.

    Reply
    1. Jim Brandes Avatar
      Jim Brandes

      In the late 50’s and early 60’s, there was a small grocery store on Gilliam Rd. just north of 34 st. Next to it was a Berbiglia’s liquor store. Believe the grocery store name was Milham’s Market. Anyone remember this?

      Reply
  7. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    My grandfather owned a grocery store in Kansas City in the 20’s. I had heard he lost the business during the depression when he let people charge groceries and then they couldn’t pay. I would love to find out the name of the store. I think he lived close to Westport at the time. His name was Roy Trott. Are their Any type of archives that I could find out business around that time in Kansas City?

    Reply
  8. Charley KIlgore Avatar
    Charley KIlgore

    Anyone remember Sam’s Market – NW corner of 29th Maiin?

    Reply
  9. Sarah Legg Avatar
    Sarah Legg

    The man who built my house owned the grocery store at 34th (?) and Jefferson: Greenman Grocers with his brother, I believe. I pieced it together through old census data.

    Reply

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