In The Loop: March 20, 2022
Happy First Day of Spring, Loopers!
A couple of things to share with you: First, I’ve added “Leave a Comment” buttons after each section of today’s “In The Loop” so that you can speak out, add to the discussion, or ask questions for me (or others) to answer. I’d really love to hear your feedback and comments.
Second, as mentioned last week, I’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign in the next couple of months to raise funds to take The Loop to another level of service and entertainment for readers like you. Keep an eye out, and I’ll have details as soon as possible.
This month marks the 1879 birth date (belatedly, March 8) of Ukraine-born Isaac “"Ike” Katz, who with his brother Mike basically invented the modern discount drug store.
The brothers had opened two cigar stores Downtown to take advantage of the 1914 opening of today’s Union Station. However, when World War I broke out three years later, the government required all stores to close at 6 p.m. Responding to the mandate, Ike sought out and hired a pharmacist so he could keep his stores open later. One of the stores was in the Argyle Building at 12th and McGee—which housed several doctors’ offices—and that store, in particular, took off.
Not only did Katz Drug Stores have smoking and pharmaceutical products, but the brothers added basic staples such as groceries, household items such as appliances, and publicity-boosting novelties such as live animals. It became a convenient one-stop shop, boosted even further by their discounted prices.
The store model did so well that in 1934, Katz opened its first location outside of the Central Business District, at Main and Westport roads in Midtown. At 20,000 square feet, it was the largest drug store in the world at the time.
After reaching a peak of operating 65 stores in five states, Katz was merged with the Skaggs chain in 1971. Skaggs then became Osco, and Osco became CVS.
This Thursday marks the 1935 death of Leannah Loveall Kearns, better known as Downtown KC brothel owner Annie Chambers. During her 92 years of life, Chambers suffered early heartbreak and tragedy that likely led her toward prostitution in her youth. A couple years after moving to Kansas City, around 1870, she opened a highly profitable brothel in a mansion located at 3rd and Wyandotte in the young city’s red light district (today’s River Market neighborhood). After a half century of operating her renowned house of sin, followed by several years of operating the mansion as a legitimate boarding house, Chambers donated the building to City Union Mission. Upon her death, Chambers was interred at Elmwood Cemetery. Her “resort house” was razed 11 years after her death.
Kansas City has a new professional sports team, and their home will be Downtown’s T-Mobile Center. The Kansas City Outlaws will be among eight professional bullriding teams competing in the PBR Team Series competition. In addition to KC’s Outlaws—which already has the coolest logo in the league—a team called the Missouri Thunder will be competing out of Ridgedale, Mo., population 1,031. But don’t let that location fool you: Ridgedale is only 10 minutes south of Branson, and will be owned by Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris. When the PBR Team Series begins its inaugural season this coming June, eight founding teams will host an annual bull riding event and western lifestyle festival in their respective cities.
Kansas City is about to open two indoor mini-golf bars, and one is in the heart of Downtown. Sinkers Lounge, near Main and 13th in the Power & Light District, is expected to open this month. In addition to a traditional nine-hole mini golf course, the locally owned lounge will also feature a nine-hole tabletop version of the game. (The other mini golf lounge, Puttery, will be opened on the Country Club Plaza at a future date by a Dallas-based company.)
LINK: Sinkers Lounge Website
Fifty years ago this Tuesday, the Kansas City premier of The Godfather was screened for an empty theater at a sold-out show inside Downtown’s Empire Theater downtown (today’s B&B Theatres’ Mainstreet KC). The Kansas City Star recounts that time when Kansas City gained national attention after a portion of its citizenry boycotted the film.
A development proposal for an area just west of the IRS building and east of I-35 could include a Ferris wheel with great views of the city—plus the long-awaited Lumi Neon Museum. CitySceneKC has the scoop:
Time again for the Downtown Council’s annual residents’ survey. If you live Downtown, follow the link below to register your opinions. The information is used to track Downtown’s progress, support development, attract retail, and identify key messages for marketing. Your comments are important and can directly affect your Downtown living experience.
And finally, I’d normally wait to add this to the “Welcome” section below, closer to the date of the actual event, but since I like to look out for my readers, I’m letting you know now: FREE ALPACA SHOW APRIL 1-3 AT HALE ARENA! (Free parking, too)
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Quick Clip: The city in motion—just a few seconds at a time
Downtown Lens: A single image depicting the urban aesthetic
Give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to….
Hoops fans attending the 84th Annual NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship, which continues through Tuesday at Municipal Auditorium
Conventioneers attending SWANA S.O.A.R. Technical Conference 2022, tomorrow through Thursday at Bartle Hall
Fans of comedian Hasan Minhaj, appearing Tuesday at the Music Hall
Families attending Disney on Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, this Thursday through Saturday at T-Mobile Center
Attendees of GEAPS Exchange 2022 (Grain Elevator and Processing Society; GEAPS is pronounced “Jeeps”), March 26-29 at Bartle Hall.
Also:
The Bachelor Live on Stage, tonight at the Midland
Letterkenny Live on Tour, tomorrow night at the Midland
Trixie and Katya Live, this Friday at the Midland
Whitney, music of Whitney Houston performed by Heartland Men's Chorus, this Saturday at The Folly Theater
Kansas City Symphony presents La Mer and Brahms’ Violin Concerto, March 25-27 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The Royale at KC Rep Copaken Stage, through March 27
Got a tip about Downtown KC?
Write to: tips@kcdowntownloop.com or contact me via social media
Until next week—enjoy the city!
