OFFICIAL - Antioch Crossing

[Belle the dog]

No, it wasn't Bob's United Super/Bob's IGA.  That was on Antioch Road unless you are thinking of the one which started in the ex-A&P at North Oak near Shady Lane then moved to the ex-TG&Y.  That IGA thing that Fleming (the distributor which went bankrupt) thrust upon Bob's is what sunk the independents.  When Bob called the shots, things ran much better.  Both Bob and Bob, Jr. would probably agree though I don't know if they would say it in public.  Bob, Jr. was sharply critical of Fleming, however.

[jmc]

does anyone know where we stand with Antioch Center?  I saw that they were trying for another TIF, but I didn't know the outcome.

[Belle the dog]

Sinking by the hour.  Bishop's Cafeteria closed when the shopping center expected them to spend tens of thousands of dollars on capital improvements but wouldn't give the cafeteria a lease. 

I don't have much sympathy for the shopping center owners given how they treated small businesses which were tenants.  The owners should be treated the same.  Then, ask them how they like being treated like that.

[Gladstoner]

does anyone know where we stand with Antioch Center?  I saw that they were trying for another TIF, but I didn't know the outcome.

To date, they have driven out most of the tenants, but it'll take a few more decades for the building to collapse into rubble.

[Belle the dog]

Sad to say, even waiting for Antioch Center to collapse into rubble will take a long time.

Antioch Center was the first shopping center in Kansas City.  The first section was built in 1955.  At that time, construction quality was of generally higher quality than it is now.  Thus, collapse will take much longer than for many newer buildings.

By the way, who remembers the merchants in the original section of Antioch Center?  I recall a few but there are some that I don't recall.

On the front, facing Vivion Road was the anchor tenant, W. T. Grant.  To the west was the Thriftway.  On the east were several smaller businesses including Harold's Barber Shop, a Crown Drug store, and a toy store (Joe Faulk?).  Facing the west, there was Collins' Cafeteria (commonly known as Thelma & Pappy's).  Somewhere on either the south or the west was a Velvet Freeze.  Facing the north were several businesses including Steve's Shoes and the Antioch Center Pharmacy.  On the east, there were several small businesses of which I cannot recall any of the names.

The second phase was to build the Kroger store, a bakery, and a couple of other businesses which I cannot recall.  The TG&Y two story store was on the other side of a wide open area.  Beneath the open area was a roller rink which later became the Antioch Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.

[Roanoker]

In the late 50s and early 60s, I lived near 58th and Paseo, but I went to Antioch Shopping Center because I liked the way Braun cut my hair. I don't know why I remember his name. I don't remember the name of the salon. I do remember that The Cake Box had a store there. They also had one downtown, but we're talking about Antioch here. Absolutely fantastic bakery. I miss it terribly.

My older son was born in 1968. When he was a toddler, I remember his taking off and running full tilt in the center of the mall, and there was no roof! The mall was covered later, but I don't remember the year.

[jmc]

oh well.  I'll keep driving by with my fingers crossed 

[KCMax]

Revised plan for Antioch Center advances

Charles Miller, the attorney representing Eastbourne, said the new plan keeps Sears at its current location. While the rest of the shopping center still will be razed, it will be replaced by about 55,000-square feet less retail space than originally envisioned, from 482,000-square feet to 427,000-square feet.

While the development cost has dropped about $10 million, the private investment has increased from $41.7 million to $44.3 million. About $27.9 million in assistance will be provided through tax-increment financing sources, $5 million less than the original plan.

[NetPet]

It can't happen soon enough for me. I loved shopping there because it was so close.

Here's hoping it's really going to happen his time!

[Beermo]

i used to ride my 10 speed in antioch when i was a kid. i think they put the roof in about '79 or so.

[justin8216]

i read the Sears is refusing a new building. On top of that they derailing redevelopment of Metcalf South by refusing to build a new store. Their new Sears Grands in Johnson County rarely have more than 10 customers shopping in them. I call it Sears NOT so Grand.

Is Sears intentionally trying to become irrelevant in the Kansas City Market? Because with the failure of the Sears Grand Concept and their refusal to build more modern stores that people actually want to shop in, that is the direction they are heading.

[Beermo]

if you don't already know. kmart just bought sears.

[anniewarbucks]

Thats old news. Actually the new Sears Grand stores in KC are nothing but glorified Kmart stores. There was hardly any remodeling done inside except the nameplate change.

[justin8216]

if you don't already know. kmart just bought sears.

Old news. They didn't "just buy" them. They bought them like 3-4 years ago.

[anniewarbucks]

I was in the north KC Sears Grand store on I29 Sunday and the changes from a Kmart to a Sears looked good. They have the full line of Sears merchandise and some groceries. Like a small town Wal-mart store except for Craftsman and Kenmore merchandise.

[KC_Hams]

Bob's IGA.

Gordman's (1/2 Price Store) was where Hy-Vee is now. Phar-Mor was where Gordman's is now. I used to work at that Pizza Street when Phar-Mor was still there. That area is better now than it was...except for Fiest Guadalajara closing. That was a great place.

[FangKC]

Developer Turns Antioch Shopping Center Over to Bank

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansa ... l?ana=e_ph

[jmc]

well that sucks

[jmc]

Hmm....haven't we seen this before?

Antioch Center Mall sold, redevelopment planned
http://economy.kansascity.com/?q=node/8411

have any thoughts whether it will actually work this time?  anyone have any insider info?

[jmc]

I actually just read the article and it says the new owners also did the Blue Ridge Mall redevelopment.  I hope they can do a similar job because I was pretty impressed with what happened to Blue Ridge Mall.