Kansas

Browne's Irish Marketplace to celebrate 138th St. Patrick's Day in Kansas City

Published

9 months ago

March 16, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Browne’s Irish Marketplace in Kansas City’s Midtown sits less than half a mile from the start of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. The shop’s celebrations can be traced back 138 years.

Browne’s Irish Marketplace to celebrate 138th St. Patrick’s Day in Kansas City

Ed and Mary Flavin, immigrants of County Kerry, Ireland, first established Flavin’s Market inside their family home at 27th and Jefferson streets in 1887. The Flavins moved the store to its current location at 33rd Street and Pennsylvania in 1901.

“It was outside of town, so it was really brave, and they built the building we’re sitting in,” said Kerry Browne, great-granddaughter of the Flavins and current co-owner.

Jake Weller/KSHB

Browne’s Irish Marketplace

Now, located in a part of Kansas City that isn’t considered the outside of town, Browne’s offers St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Festivities begin with Irish rolls at 9 a.m. and continue until “at least” 4 p.m.

“You can just walk up the street and watch the parade and then walk back afterwards and have lunch and a pint and keep the day going,” Browne said.

The couple sold eggs, local goods and imports their relatives from Ireland shipped to them.

“I can’t imagine shipping at that time,” Browne said.

Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 4.15.37 PM.png — Kerry Browne

When Margaret, daughter of the Flavins, married Jim Browne, they began operating the store in 1915, according to the shop’s website.

“We are so fortunate that they kept going during World Wars and the Depression and all that they went through to get here,” Browne said.

Their eldest son, Bob, and his wife, Marjorie, took on the store’s operations in 1955. Twenty-six years later in 1981, Browne and her husband, John McClain, took over ownership.

“We lost my dad, and it was a way of holding onto him, and it’s so true because he’s here all of the time,” Browne said. “He was a cigar smoker, and we sometimes get a whiff of his cigar, so we know he’s here and keeping an eye on us all the time.”

Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 4.14.58 PM.png — Browne’s Irish Marketplace located at 3300 Pennsylvania Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

Continuing the store’s legacy is part of what Browne said makes her proud to be Irish.

“I love how they (the Irish) hang onto their heritage, the people who came before them really matter, they want to pay tribute to them, and that matters to me a lot,” she said.

Browne and her husband have operated the market longer than any of her other family members. They go to Ireland a couple of times a year to source the store’s authentic goods.

She said during COVID, the Irish government reached out and told them Browne’s Irish Marketplace is the oldest Irish business outside of Ireland.

“When you talk about what it means to keep going, that’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “Like, OK, now we really have to keep going.”

Browne said her college-age son, Rory, is all about continuing the story of Browne’s Irish Marketplace.

“It’s all he wants to do,” she said. “So, it’s exciting, there’s a future for Browne’s. He’ll be the fifth generation to run it.”

The business often offers events like live music and bingo in addition to its deli, full bar and Irish goods. The marketplace is looking to expand its operations to include private whiskey tastings and a speakeasy, Browne said.

“When people are here, they, throughout life, want to share their big moments at Browne’s, and that’s so meaningful,” she said.

Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 5.30.48 PM.png — Shea McEnerney, left, and his dad Jim McEnerney, right, enjoy a drink at Browne’s Irish Marketplace on March 16, 2025.

Jim McEnerney, a regular, brings his family to Browne’s often. He enjoyed a pint with his son, Shea, at the market on Sunday.

“We’re very proud Americans because of our Irish heritage, and when you walk into Browne’s, you feel like you’re in the heart of Ireland,” he said.

McEnerney said it’s easy to make friends at Browne’s. He said his family has started signing traditional Irish music at the store, and the “next thing you know, the whole place is singing while they’re drinking their beers and having conversations.”

“If you’ve been here, no explanation necessary; if you haven’t, no explanation possible,” he said.

Browne said St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate what it means to be Irish with all of Kansas City.

“Obviously, we’re Irish year-round, but we’re proud to share that Irishness with people of every descent,” she said.

Four generations — and one day, five generations — later, the story of Browne’s continues.

“Even my great-grandparents, when they opened this little thing in 1887, they never would have imagined we’d still be here, but I hope we’re doing them proud, I hope they look down and are grateful,” Browne said.

—

KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.

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Kansas

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Museums across the United States are struggling with declining attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kansas institutions are bucking the national trend strong visitor numbers.

A recent survey by the American Alliance of Museums asked more than 500 museums nationwide and found traffic remains down since the pandemic began in 2020.

Kansas museum reports record attendance

The Kansas Aviation Museum experienced its highest attendance year ever in 2024, according to Ben Sauceda, president and CEO of the museum.

“2024 was our highest record attendance year ever as a museum, and so we’re seeing a lot of momentum around that,” Sauceda said.

Sauceda credited state programs for boosting museum visits across Kansas.

“Things like the Sunflower Summer Program that Kansas offers. That has been a huge boost to attendance in museums across our state,” he said.

The Gathering Place also reported increased traffic since the pandemic, according to museum officials.

Adam Smith, president and CEO of Exploration Place, said Kansas museums have remained stable.

“I think in general, Kansas is, you know, we’ve seen, we’ve been pretty solid, actually,” Smith said.

Financial challenges persist nationally

The national study shows one-third of museums reported loss of federal grants and contracts impacted them this year.

Museum leaders said institutions must adapt to succeed in the current environment.

“Even as museums, we are still businesses that have to operate in a manner of innovation and creativity. And so again, I think the ones that are finding success right now are the ones that are learning and finding ways to innovate and change and meet the demands of the market where they’re at right now,” Sauceda said.

Smith emphasized the importance of family engagement.

“And so finding ways in which families like to spend time together while creating unique learning or exposure opportunities is how you have to move forward,” he said.

Museums like the Kansas Aviation Museum continue advocating at the state level for renewal of the Sunflower Summer Program for the 2026-2027 season.

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Kansas

Disease found in multiple states confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Disease found in multiple states confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas

EL DORADO, Kan. (KWCH) – Bovine theileriosis, a disease that has been found in multiple states around the country, has now been confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas, according to state and federal animal health officials.

The parasite damages red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, weakness, and significant financial losses for cattle producers. As of now there is no approved cure for bovine theileriosis.

Experts encourage cattle producers to maintain good working relationships with their local veterinarians.

“Just encourage them to have a good working relationship with their local vet and talk to them. Their vet has heard about it. Their vet can talk to them more about symptoms to look for, supportive care options, and ways to help control it if they do get it,” said Braxton Butler, a veterinarian with the El Dorado Livestock Auction

A report from the Kansas Ag Connection says that while the disease is tick-borne, it may also spread through blood transfer, including contaminated needles or equipment. Experts urge cattle producers to tighten up herd management and sanitation practices.

The disease poses no risk to humans.

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Kansas

High winds and reduced visibility close I-70 in western Kansas

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

High winds and reduced visibility close I-70 in western Kansas

High winds caused the closure of Interstate 70 in Kansas.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, just after 11 a.m. on Dec. 18, I-70 was closed between the Colorado state line and US-83 highway, just east of Colby, after blowing dust caused reduced visibility.

Earlier that day, the National Weather Service in Goodland issued a High Wind Warning for several counties in the area until 6 p.m., with a Blowing Dust Warning issued until 3 p.m.

The NWS said severely limited visibilities are expected and travel in the area was dangerous and possibly life-threatening. The service cautioned that high winds also could move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages.

Precautionary and preparedness actions for this type of weather include to be ready for a sudden drop in visibility as plumes of blowing dust will create pockets of it. Those encountering blowing dust or sand on the roadway are advised to pull off the road as far as possible and put the vehicle in park, turning lights all the way off and keeping the foot off the brake pedal.

According to NWS, winds this strong make driving difficult, particularly for high profile vehicles and caution is advised if driving is necessary.

Finally, wind and dust could make for poor air quality, causing issues for people with respiratory problems.

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