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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