Neighborhood Grocery Stores Were Everywhere

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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

19 responses to “Neighborhood Grocery Stores Were Everywhere”

  1. Luann Heshion Avatar
    Luann Heshion

    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 !!!

    Reply
  2. Rob Hamby Avatar
    Rob Hamby

    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.

    Reply
  3. More Midtown history: Grocery stores, trolleys and movie theaters | Midtown KC Post

    […] Grocery stores in Midtown: Decades ago, Midtown Kansas City had a grocery store in almost every neighborhood. Before the advent of large chain “super markets,” grocery stores were often literally mom and pop businesses. They grew up along streetcar lines and within walking distance of Midtown residential areas. […]

    Reply
  4. John Williams Avatar
    John Williams

    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.

    Reply
    1. Raymond Riggs Avatar
      Raymond Riggs

      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.

      Reply
  5. Frank (Jim) McGinley Avatar
    Frank (Jim) McGinley

    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.

    Reply
  6. Daniel Reyes Avatar
    Daniel Reyes

    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

    Reply
  7. James E. Smith Avatar
    James E. Smith

    There is an old building at 41st and Oak that appears to have been a grocery. Does anybody have any info on that ?

    Reply
  8. Scherry Hill Avatar
    Scherry Hill

    Trying to figure out the name of the grocery store on 25th and Brooklyn in KCMO in 1985

    Reply
  9. James E. Smith Avatar
    James E. Smith

    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.

    Reply
  10. Jim B. Avatar
    Jim B.

    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?

    Reply
    1. Jim Brandes Avatar
      Jim Brandes

      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.

      Reply
  11. James E. Smith Avatar
    James E. Smith

    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.

    Reply
    1. Daniel Reyes Avatar
      Daniel Reyes

      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

      Reply
  12. Keith Parks Avatar
    Keith Parks

    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

    Reply
  13. Daniel Reyes Avatar
    Daniel Reyes

    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

    Reply
  14. M. Williams Avatar
    M. Williams

    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!

    Reply
  15. Sandy Thomson Avatar
    Sandy Thomson

    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!

    Reply
  16. Barry R. Davis Avatar
    Barry R. Davis

    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!

    Reply

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