Katz Drug Co. of Kansas City: The Kings of Cut-Rate

From 1914 to 1971, Katz Drug Stores of Kansas City redefined the american corner drug store experience. In this video, Brian Burnes of the Kansas City Star discusses his new book, co-authored with Steve Katz, The Kings of Cut Rate. Burnes and Katz will appear in person at the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch (4801 Main St.) on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 at 2 p.m. Please RSVP online at kclibrary.org.

[@jennifertridle8677]

Brian, so glad to find this video. I was reminiscing about our wonderful Katz /CVS in Roeland Park. The best pharmacy ever!! I was so proud to be a part of enjoying the Katz history. I miss all of you that shopped there. I loved being your pharmacist!!

[@janedunlap2714]

Jeff Leonard here, used to ride the bus down from Bales Court with mom, and eat lunch up on the mezzanine. Bought my first model car kit there too. I'm 70 now, but remember it well

[@gregscavuzzo5457]

my father and I bought my first guitar at Katz Drugs in Kansas City ,we had been to several music stores but I found the one I liked at Katz , I loved their stores , I also shopped at a florist related to the Katz family on St Line in the 2000 s

[@kckgirl78]

My KATZ was at 10th and Minnesota in KCK. I can practically still smell the fresh roasted cashews that were served up in scoops and sold by the pound. Very fond memories.....❤️

[@billbye2427]

the 10th st on Minnesota was quite a store it had a large parking lot, even had a whale in it in a tank one summer. Great deals and friendly employees; Was right next door to a big Western Auto store. Down the street was a Monkey Wards store (farm and ranch) sorry Montgomery Wards, always got a cane fishing pole to go fishing at Big Eleven Lake./

[@lindaway5889]

I loved Katz. I remember shopping there when we would go to Kansas City.

[@lindanickell8565]

I was born in KCMO, but raised in Idaho. Summers were spent between KCMO and a tiny town called Keytesville. I can remember a time as a small child, riding in the back seat and looking out the rain splattered windows when I saw a Katz drug store kitty all lit up! I stared at that kitty in fascination until I couldn't see it anymore. I'll never forget that Katz kitty who brightened my heart that night. Those bros must have had some kind of magic! I'm nostalgic about Katz even though I've never been in the store.

[@jimmykjazz]

My Katz was at Linwood and Troost. Great days as far as us kids thought.

[@nativeflutterbynails3016]

Beautiful photos

[@Antonette59]

My 1st pair of earrings came from Katz. I was 19 months old.

[@scampeezo]

Bought a lot of goldfish at the Westport and Main Katz. There used to be a parrot or mynah bird on a perch in the lower level by the stairs. I would always walk on the far side of the staircase because I was never sure what that bird might do.

[@joshscalish2361]

My father, Charlie Nigro, convinced built and rented to the Katz "boys"---their store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which was a hoot to a 10 year old kid. I accompanied my dad several times to check the place out because there was a natural water spring flooding the lower basement every summer it seemed as it overflowed with typical Missouri rainstorms. I learned mop-work. Employment in those days was precious, and the unions complained about me doing work which they wanted done by union guys. I understood, but dad said "being part owner", I could do my crummy share. Somehow, dad got the water to flow somewhere else. Charley convinced the Katz boys that St. Joe would become much bigger and need many Katz Drug Stores, but it never happened. Charlie built and rented the 75th and Wornall Rd., WALDO, Katz Store. It was biggest drug store you ever saw. It had everything including a long soda fountain with 30? small permanently fixed stools to sit and spin on. I went to St. Elizabeth's Grade School about a block down on 75th street from Katz'. In those days, kids were pretty free for lunches able to run home or bring a lunch to eat at the school and then play around in the school playground until the school bell rang to come inside for class. I would wander up to Katz' and meet my dad sometimes--then daily. Dad would buy me a chocolate soda which I woofed down. So I began to bring some classmates and all would get a chocolate soda or other treat individually. We would show up and stand around the magazine counter pretending to be looking at magazines. Dad would act like he did not see us, sometimes for what seemed like a long time, now I know he would chuckle at our restless anticipation to his finally offered, "If you guys want a chocolate soda or a treat, take a stool." I will never forget the smiling welcoming pained, "not-again", look of the alone gal server now taking the ice-cream treat orders from about ten eager boys almost every day at the same time. Dad would banter and give us good words every time. When my father died many years later, several of the boys commented, thinking and talking of Katz', in sadness: "Without your dad, there would be no memories." When dad died, one of the Katz boys called me into his main office in Kansas City to express sadness and condolences and positive reflections about "Charlie." He also mentioned to me a concern about needing more parking of Waldo Katz. I told my mother who expanded all for them. That reminds of "parking" as a problem. People would park their cars in the Katz lot and jump on the local street car (to their jobs downtown) which ran on Wornall Rd at the time. Dad would have me sneak over and let the air out of the cars tires once in awhile for chronic offenders. Buildings in those days needed "roof checks" for wind blown debris removal and maintenance. Dad would put up a ladder and have me climb with him onto the Katz' roof to check it out. So learning to climb ladders and managing heights were something I owe Katz Drugs too. Thanks for the memories....I will remember more in my dreams I am sure.

[@joshscalish2361]

I do not know why my grandson's name, Josh Scalish, is on the comment--I am Sam Nigro

[@frankcansler8066]

That's awesome. My aunt worked there and when we came to town to visit she always took me to her work. It is my fondest childhood memories.

[@davo2003hd]

Born and raised in St. Joseph Mo. I remember Katz fondly.

[@dond8483]

Sam Nigro thanks for the laugh

[@judybooth128]

I used to go to the Katz drug store in Independence Missouri. Miss those cherry Cokes with real cherries!

[@HawklordLI]

It was fun hanging out in the 'Square' in the 60's, especially the Granada Theater.

[@pattiejune]

I remember the Katz in Independence, Missouri. I so miss that store, wishing it would come back.

[@muffa9125]

there's a sh!tty over priced restaurant there now

[@archangel_one]

Any idea of when they left?

[@catrinlewis939]

Anybody else remember the mynah birds on the lower level of the Westport store? I went to Rollins and would buzz through the store on the way home from school. Sorry they had to sell out to Osco. I still miss Katz'.

[@roseylady1965]

Catrin Lewis Actually, Katz sold out to Skaggs Drugs. My Husband got a job there in 1982 and then it become Osco Drugs. :( I miss, Katz now. I still remember the store at 39th and Main, and the one at 10 and Main, Good Times.

[@33maisie]

We shopped at the Katz in Topeka. The building is still there, and I shopped at the Skaggs which took it's place.

[@mikefrech1123]

@Billy Goff My brother in law bought one of those in the early sixties, I'm not sure from which store. He still has it. It's still alive!

[@mikefrech1123]

Catrin Lewis; We used to try to teach those birds obscene words.

[@shirleyb2281]

My 1St job was at the Katz in nkc

[@sunrise1776]

My first out fielders mitt was bought at Katz.

[@sylviapayne420]

My Katz was at 63rd an prospect in the 70s

[@harrykuheim6107]

I went there after school Bingham Jr High 1963-65

[@russriley3005]

my mom used to drink katz beer