Favorite defunct local businesses

[KCMax]

Question for a lazy Friday - what is your favorite KC business that no longer exists?

Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant that closed? A store that couldn't cut it? Remember bookstores and record stores?

If you could bring back one (or a few) KC business from the past, what would it be? And what would you have them do differently so they could survive now?

[smh]

Question for a lazy Friday - what is your favorite KC business that no longer exists?

Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant that closed? A store that couldn't cut it? Remember bookstores and record stores?

If you could bring back one (or a few) KC business from the past, what would it be? And what would you have them do differently so they could survive now?

The Lobster Pot in Union Station. My parents (from SWMO) still talk about coming to KC for business and eating there and thinking it was the greatest thing. Whether it was or not, who knows, I somewhat doubt it. But I'd like to just be able to check it out.

More recently, Skies. I never made it up there, but I am convinced a world-class city needs at least one highrise rotating restaurant and I'm told Skies was a great place for a drink.

[flyingember]

The Lobster Pot in Union Station. My parents (from SWMO) still talk about coming to KC for business and eating there and thinking it was the greatest thing. Whether it was or not, who knows, I somewhat doubt it. But I'd like to just be able to check it out

you'd be disappointed. restaurants are way different than they were 20-30 years ago. tastes change. look at how much even McDonalds has changed their menu!

For me, the thing I miss is variety in local electronics. It's nice to save money online but the convenience factor can't be overlooked. One could actually comparison shop and get it the same day. Right now it's Best Buy, drive way out to Nebraska Furniture Mart or drive way out to Micro Center.

There was Comp USA (it's been so long the name escapes me), Circuit City, Brands Mart, Ultimate Electronics, Radio Shack in a previous incarnation and that's just off the top of my head

[brewcrew1000]

America's Pub

[aknowledgeableperson]

One Block West
100 West
The Observatory
Shakey's Pizza

[bobbyhawks]

New York Deli. Pre-burned down Kennedy's. Pre-bought out and way more expensive McLain's bakery. The Crossing, Lawrence, KS.

[Eon Blue]

El Rancho--not the best Mexican restaurant, but they had stuff I liked and it reminded me of college.

[grovester]

Lone Star in Westport.

[earthling]

El Rancho--not the best Mexican restaurant, but they had stuff I liked and it reminded me of college.

I much prefer streetmex like Cancun and Rico's but I did like that place for gringomex. Mesa Wraps in Westport was also better than any wraps place we have today, kinda miss it.

There's actually one place on the Plaza I miss - the no-name bar. Anyone know where George the greeter is today?

[chingon]

Music Exchange. I miss it so much I can't think of anything else that even compares. Distant seconds are the Lava Room before it got too cokey, and Finn's Waldo Bar, but those are just garden variety nostalgic delights. The Music Exchange was an irreplaceable regional treasure.

[scooterj]

Here's another vote for the original Kennedy's
And another vote for Skies
Lucille's
Annie's Santa Fe (the food probably sucked, but I had a lot of fun memories there)
Longbranch Saloon
Java Gaia
All the little 1-4 screen movies houses that used to dot the landscape
Chubby's when it was on the other side of Broadway. (The new location just never had the same charm.)
SRO Video

[kucer]

Grand Emporium

[kboish]

Mr. Bulky's

[smh]

Mr. Bulky's

Listen, if we're taking it back this far I'll throw out this: Aladdin's Castle.

[mean]

Kenny's News Room

[KCMax]

Mr. Bulky's

Listen, if we're taking it back this far I'll throw out this: Aladdin's Castle.

Geno Schiraldi's Pizza

[shinatoo]

Putches, Bishops and Italian Garden

[earthling]

El Rancho--not the best Mexican restaurant, but they had stuff I liked and it reminded me of college.

I much prefer streetmex like Cancun and Rico's but I did like that place for gringomex. Mesa Wraps in Westport was also better than any wraps place we have today, kinda miss it.

There's actually one place on the Plaza I miss - the no-name bar. Anyone know where George the greeter is today?

Oops, sorry Eon, I meant did, not didn't.

[FangKC]

Washington Street Station on the SW corner of 9th and Washington.

The Jet Lounge was a popular hangout in the former State Hotel (aka Stats Hotel) on the NE corner of 12th and Wyandotte. Twelve Wyandotte is on the site today.

[bones.25]

Great topic, I could add a hundred names to list but here's a few off the top of my head...
Hibachi - Plaza
Children's Palace - 91st & Metcalf
Every Taco Via that has ever closed in KC
Pepporcorn Duck Club - Hyatt Regency and good impress your date kind of place
Water-slide parks around town where you had to rent the mats and skinned knees and elbows if you fell off them
Old Chelsea - (never actually went inside but looked cool from outside)
Building with giant 80's looking reebok dude dunking a bball (technically not a business but I miss it, sorry)
The Woodlands - Smoke filled heaven for gambling addicts that was a major hit first few years
Fairy Land Park - A little before my time but have heard many people say how much they liked going there as a kid
Malliards - My mom took me here to get one of my two suites I owned as a kid
Bannister Mall - The entire monstrosity and all its charm and perceived crime
Arcades - Not exclusive to KC but definitely defunct
King Louie - Or as me and buddies used to call it king f***ing louie.
Milgrams Grocery Store - They had a cool horse racing promotion that i loved
Payless grocery store - made wads of cash in tips when I was in high school taking groceries out for rich lonely joco housewives.
Drive ins - I remember putting permanent dents in roof of cars watching "B" movies outside
Bob Jones - Oh Wait! it's still in business, thank god. True KC classic with great radio tag line
Satchell Page Stadium - Structure exists but league is defunct and important part of local history
You Animal You - cool little skateboard shop
Fox foto - look for the fox
Xanadu - Bets place to buy grateful dead posters
Glenwood Theaters - At least the A**holes who tore this down saved the sign, not sure about the chandelier
Barber Shops around town - Clearly on the endangered species list