Comments on: Metcalf South Shopping Center; Overland Park, Kansas

By: Kimberly McCrory

Kimberly McCrory — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:09:00 +0000

@RaisedinJoCo, I went to Indian creek Jr. High with Christian. He was a great kid and a good friend to everyone he’d meet. At the time it was grades 7, 8 and 9. The days of not knowing what had happnd and the rumors filtering down from SMS, the announcements asking for any information. It was all very devastating then finding him and the funeral. So very very sad and unforgetful. But, maybe that is a good thing because he was too young and deserves to be remembered. Kimberly SMS 85′

By: GregW

GregW — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:55:38 +0000

@Got Some Info,

Interesting! I live in CO now, but grew up in Prairie Village (SME 91). MD is (I think) the same company that’s always owned the mall. Perhaps the death of the last original principal (Sherman Dreiseszun) a couple of years ago has spurred some action from the heirs. The family may be wanting to see some actual revenue. And with 2 anchors still going, it might be possible to somehow revitalize the place. But getting a now-old-fashioned “70s mall” back in business may be tough.

I do like the idea of the mall museum, though!

By: Tom Dhooge

Tom Dhooge — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:40:40 +0000

How I miss the old days. I use to wonder the mall in the early and mid 80’s. Plus I use to work at Doctor Pet, Top dog and cone a copia.
Plus I knew Security really well there. And what is funny the same security officer still works there.
This was a great mall sorry to see it like it is now.
I was just there 2 weeks ago.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:21:17 +0000

When I was a kid, in the 70’s, when you would buy Topsy’s caramel corn at that mall, it would come in a plastic bag and on the bag was a character drawing of a girl whose body was an ear of corn. She had a long yellow ponytail stretching up to the top opening of the bag. There was a saying on the bag….”Twist my ponytail to keep me fresh”.
‘71-’78.
If I hadn’t moved away in 8th grade, I would be SMS’83.

By: Donna

Donna — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:26:53 +0000

Wow I have to look at this again. Parents built a house near 95th and Metcalf in 1968. Got in minor trouble once because we decided to walk to Nallwood instead of taking the bus. Walked past the mall. I think. Did make it to school. Juvenile delinquency! We must have been forgiven.

Anyhow, remember roaming the mall. All of the names of these stores are etched in my memory. I won’t tell the stories.

Anyhow, we had to move up north in 1970. That was the end of that. I am sort of a northern girl but will never forget that time in Overland Park.

I did have an I am loved bracelet or something. Also bought some love beads.

By: Kelley

Kelley — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:10:25 +0000

Wasn’t there a J.P. Tod’s at MS Mall? J.P. Tod’s, now Tod’s, the upscale leather goods store? I remember how posh it was for the guys to have J.P. Tod’s penny loafers. There was a cheap store called DEB I think on the top floor. I did a fashion show for them, modeling prom dresses. I also did another fashion show on the main stage near the fountains. We modeled UNITS. Does anyone remember UNITS? They were the multi-use clothing line where one size fitted all. Those were really big in the mid-80’s.

@Linkin Logs, ah I remember that arcade and Clint’s. I felt so out of place at Clint’s because it was all guys.

What about Taco Via!? My friend Doug and I used to play a game where he’d pretend to insult my weight while I dined on Taco Via. People would stare at us and I’d say “I promise I’ll work out if you let me eat just one taco.” ha ha… we were so mature back then, weren’t we?

See my earlier post about Top Dog. My sister worked there and that place was always a disaster. Hot dogs and nachos everywhere. The owner was never there, so she gave us free dogs all the time, albeit nasty, two-day-old dogs, but what the hell. They were good.

By: Linkin Logs

Linkin Logs — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:04:28 +0000

@Scott Acheson,

You’re thinking of Clint’s Comics on the bottom level next to the arcade. That was probably the quietest section of the mall as they had a hard time keeping stores in that corridor. If I remember right they had a soup/potato place briefly across from Clint’s and I think a water bed story a little further down.

By: Scott Acheson

Scott Acheson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:46 +0000

I grew up in OP, moved there from Independence in 1968. My buddies and I would ride our Schwinn Varsities on Saturdays from ~101st and Roe. My oldest sister worked at Jones. There was an Eddy’s restaurant there also if I remember correctly, I think I saw a lot of movies there in the 70’s!

Yeah, Orange Julius, Topsy’s, Jenkins Music Store. I vaguely remember that comic store also. I am visiting my Dad in 10 days who still lives in KC, maybe I’ll take a trip down memory lane! I went to Indian Creek Jr. High and SMS. Hope the mall can be renovated or put to good use. What happened to Roebuck????? Ah well.

By: Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:53:29 +0000

I am glad I found this site, brings back alot of memories. I worked in the key shop that was in the parking lot outside the west side of Sears from about 1982 -1984. loved the Taco Via on the third floor, the deli by orange julius, and topsy’s. would love to hear from all the old gang from back then.
mroberts34145@yahoo.com

By: Linkin Logs

Linkin Logs — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:25:13 +0000

@Got Some Info,

Any news on what the plans are? Does it include renovating the existing structure or turning the middle of the mall into a strip mall section, like the Ward Parkway Mall did?