Kansas
Browne's Irish Marketplace to celebrate 138th St. Patrick's Day in Kansas City
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
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.
Jake Weller/KSHB
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.”
Jake Weller/KSHB
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.
Jake Weller/KSHB
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.
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KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.
Kansas
Buffs Fall to Kansas in Big 12 Semifinals – University of Colorado Athletics
Colorado (15-3-3) will now await Monday’s NCAA Tournament selection show to learn its next opponent. Wednesday’s loss snaps the Buffs’ seven-game unbeaten streak.
“Like I told the team, it’s been a while since we lost,” head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the game. “It’s been since the Baylor match [Oct. 5]. So, it’s been a long stretch, and there are fine margins when you start to get to this point. We didn’t play our best soccer tonight. However, we left it all on the field. Anyone who watched this match can’t question our commitment and our willingness to work hard. It just didn’t happen for us tonight.”
The Buffaloes took an early lead with a first-half goal from Faith Leyba, but Kansas responded with two goals in the second half to secure the win. Colorado managed 13 shots, with four on target, while Kansas had six shots on goal.
Leyba led the Buffs with four shots, putting two on target. Ava Priest contributed with an assist and had a shot on goal. Jordan Nytes made three saves while facing 13 shots in the net.
Emerson Layne also recorded an assist on the Buffs’ goal, marking her 10th of the season and tying Shanade Hopcroft and Taylor Kornieck for the most in a single season.
“I’m not questioning the effort at all,” Sanchez continued. “The Buffs were all in. They’re up for the big match. It was a great environment. We started fast. We played well. We just didn’t get enough done.”
How it Happened
The first half began with the Buffaloes maintaining early pressure, as Kansas goalkeeper Sophie Dawe saved Priest’s opening shot in the 7th minute.
Kansas responded, pushing the attack and forcing saves from Nytes in the 13th and 17th minutes. The Jayhawks outshot the Buffs 6-4 in the early portion of the night. But the Buffs earned five corner kicks in the first 27 minutes and finally converted on a serve from Priest that was headed towards the back post by Layne and put home by Leyba for the 1-0 lead.
Kansas was unable to solve the Buffs’ defense with Nytes and Co. keeping the Jayhawks at bay in the first 45 minutes.
The second half opened with the Buffaloes immediately pushing forward, creating two early corner opportunities and a shot by Layne that was deflected high over the crossbar within the first minute of action.
Despite applying pressure, Kansas responded with a goal by Saige Wimes in the 55th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
The Buffaloes continued to attack, with Reagan Kotschau and Hope Leyba both taking shots, but couldn’t get past the KU defense.
Leyba almost had her second of the night to give the Buffs a potential 2-1 lead in the 59th minute. Her header was saved at the far post by a KU defender and cleared to safety. Leyba then repaid the favor in the 73rd minute when she got behind Nytes in the goal box and saved a shot by KU’s Emika Kawagishi to keep the score tied at 1-1.
Moments later, Kansas took the lead when Lydia Viets’ shot hit off the toe of Leyba and past Nytes in the 74th minute.
“I thought our back four were very good again,” Sanchez noted. “The first goal is a counter off a set piece, and we’ll put that a little big on the coaching staff. We had too many numbers forward and then counter, and they get a goal. Then the second goal, you know, Faith’s blocking it and unfortunately, deflects it and goes in. Those are the margins at this level. We didn’t create enough on the other end to get any more out of this game than we deserved.”
Colorado maintained its offensive efforts, including a late shot by Hope Leyba followed by a corner kick in the 86th minute, but was unable to equalize.
“It’s disappointing,” Sanchez added. “But we still have a ton to play [for]. We’ll be disappointed tonight, but tomorrow, we’ll get back to working, and like I said, we’ll be ready for the NCAA Tournament.”
Up Next
The NCAA Selection Show will be live-streamed on NCAA.com at 2 p.m. MT on Monday.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
Kansas
Kansas City Royals Face Key Offseason Choice On 12-Year Veteran
The Kansas City Royals are entering a crucial offseason after finishing third in the American League Central and missing the postseason. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the team’s biggest concern remains the offense, which produced just 651 runs—the third-lowest total in the American League.
Even after adding Mike Yastrzemski and Randal Grichuk during the season, run production didn’t improve much. Now, both outfielders are free agents, and the Royals must decide whether to bring Grichuk back or move in another direction. His mutual option was declined, but a return isn’t out of the question. Here’s one reason to keep him—and one reason to let him walk.
Keeping the veteran outfielder around as a platoon bat for at least one more season could make sense for Kansas City. He wouldn’t need to be an everyday player, and when paired with someone like Yastrzemski, he could provide value against left-handed pitching.
Grichuk’s power from the right side and his ability to play all three outfield spots make him a useful depth piece. In the right role, he can help stretch the lineup and offer veteran leadership to a young Royals roster.
Financially, he’s also a low-risk option. The small-market Royals aren’t expected to pursue expensive free agents such as Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, or Kyle Schwarber, so retaining Grichuk on an affordable deal could make sense while the front office explores other upgrades.
That said, there are strong arguments for letting Grichuk go. The 33-year-old outfielder struggled in 2025, hitting just .228/.273/.401 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and a .674 OPS. Kansas City can likely find more productive options on the market.
A player like Harrison Bader, for example, brings elite defense, speed, and everyday value at a reasonable cost. Adding a consistent bat or glove-first outfielder could give the Royals the spark they need to retool their lineup heading into 2026.
The Royals can’t afford to run it back with the same group that fell short in 2025. Whether they keep Grichuk as a platoon option or move on entirely, this offseason will be about surrounding Bobby Witt Jr. and the young core with the right pieces to return to contention in 2026.
More MLB: Royals Expected To Bring Back Nine-Time All-Star As 2026 Plans Take Shape
Kansas
One Of Kansas City’s Best-Kept Secrets Is A Quiet, Friendly Suburb That Is Perfect For Retirees – Islands
Pity the Sunflower State, often derided as a “flyover state” not worthy of much attention. Nonsense. A road trip through Kansas reveals it’s a wildly underrated gem that offers secret canyons and historic towns. Yet one of the state’s best-kept secrets might be worth visiting a bit longer — perhaps for the rest of one’s post-work life. Not far from Kansas City lies Spring Hill, a quiet, friendly suburb that is perfect for retirees.
The town’s neatest trick lies in its dense offering of modern amenities, without the urban bustle and grind, all while keeping vital small-town rituals front and center. Retirees and residents alike can enjoy a wholesome lifestyle while also hitting the links, going for a swim, and diving into a broad swath of activities meant to maintain health and a sense of community. That includes a bevy of “third places”, community spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness.
The town’s youth performing arts center bridges a gap between generations. Meanwhile, the Festival Choral Society holds annual Christmas and Spring concerts, with all the usual community-building activities that accompany such organizations. A laundry list of groups, including an arts council and historical society, rounds out plenty of enriching ways to fill a suddenly empty calendar. The Spring Hill Farmers Market, meanwhile, offers a chance to rub elbows with local producers who bring their wares to town every Saturday, from late spring to the beginning of fall. Perhaps most important of all, Spring Hill offers plenty of chances to stay fit and healthy.
Hit the links, take a dip, or just stay active in Spring Hill
Spring Hill has blossomed into an ideal retirement community with plenty of ways to answer the critical question facing anyone who has just ended their career: What next? The suburb offers a smorgasbord of retiree-friendly activities. The Sycamore Ridge public golf course offers the perfect 18-hole diversion for folks enjoying their golden years. Its sand bunkers, surrounding woods, and undulating greens provide the perfect challenging outing on the links, regardless of your handicap. If you’re a well-seasoned golfer, there’s no better way to build community and health than joining one of the golf club’s leagues. Beginners, don’t fret. The club’s private lessons will get your handicap down to something manageable. Not thrilled about spending your retirement golfing? Grab a swim cap instead.
You can’t find a beach anywhere, so Spring Hill effectively built one. The town’s aquatic center offers the perfect antidote to Kansas’s shortcomings as a landlocked state. The center includes over a dozen different water-based features, from aqua-park style water slides to diving boards. The shallow entry at one of the pools may not have sand, but it perfectly mimics the subtle joy of wading into the water. There are also senior-friendly exercise classes, such as River Walking, a low-impact movement that uses the water as resistance. If you’re not feeling up for exertion of any kind, kick back in the lazy river. Let the adjacent park keep the kids or grandkids busy.
If golf bores you and you would rather stay dry (both fair choices), the Spring Hill Recreation Commission has you covered. From Zumba to yoga, the commission’s calendar is stuffed with adult fitness and recreation opportunities. Cooking classes, field trips, and art classes are just some of the other non-exercise activities available.
Planning a trip to Spring Hill
Whether you’re visiting Spring Hill to consider a permanent move or just stopping by for a weekend, you’ll want a car to get around. Those coming in from farther afield can use the closest major transit hub, Kansas City International Airport, which is less than an hour from Spring Hill. After landing, be sure to spend a few hours in Kansas City itself, which is considered the barbecue capital of the world. Then, on the drive down, make a pitstop at Overland Park, an under-the-radar artsy city with outdoor fun and downtown amenities.
Those looking to retire to Spring Hill have several retirement communities and facilities to choose from. The nearby Benton House of Olathe, for example, offers a mix of active social and physical activities while emphasizing building routines to maintain and improve mental health. Colonial Oaks, another assisted living facility in Spring Hill, offers a similar collection of activities and services. Those with deeper pockets may be able to buy a home in Spring Hill, with median home values of $323,300.
While there’s no ideal time to retire to Spring Hill (those maths are sort of set in stone), you do have an ideal time to visit. The town’s annual Fall Festival, held in late September, features a parade, live shows, and local vendors selling their crafts and food. It all culminates in a music festival, then a Chili Cookoff. Conversely, you can visit during the fall festival’s sibling, Daffodil Days, which coincides with Arbor Day in April. A celebratory environment blossoms with music, games, and a chainsaw wood carver, among other attractions. It’s the perfect outing for a retiree and visiting family members.
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