RESOLUTION NO. 010572
Honoring the Browne Family
for 100 years in business.
WHEREAS, 100
years ago, Edward and Mary Flavin, immigrants from County Kerry, Ireland,
bought property on the southwest corner of 33rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
and built and moved their Flavin Grocery business to the buildings first floor
and their family to the second story; and
WHEREAS, in 1917,
their daughter and son-in-law, Margaret Flavin Browne and James R. Browne, took
ownership of the grocery business and changed the name to J.R. Browne Grocery;
and
WHEREAS, in 1924,
the Brownes and seven other local grocers established Associated Grocers, now
known as Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, in 1957,
James R. Browne (Bob Jr.) and Margie Browne took over the operation; and
WHEREAS, over the
years, Penn Valley Community College grew and the surrounding residential
neighborhood shrank, so the grocery turned into Brownes Market and Deli in
1981 and was voted a Kansas City Historic Landmark in 1983; and
WHEREAS, the
family business still operates in the building and is run by the Flavins
great-granddaughter, Kerry Browne, and John McClain; and
WHEREAS, today,
the market and deli keep busy catering to the lunch crowd around Penn Valley
and selling Irish goods, including apparel and music CDs; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor
and Council hereby honor the Browne Family for 100 years in business; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Ed Browne and Marjorie
Brown with the admiration of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for
over 100 years of service given to the community.
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