Older Isn't Always Better, But...
Older isn't always better, but it's usually more interesting. That's true both of people and of architecture. It seems that the days are numbered for the odd structure at the southeast corner of 75th and Metcalf in Overland Park. It's currently anchored by CVS. Another national pharmacy outlet is just across the street in a generic new building that has none of this location's quirky charm. As a businessman, I'd far prefer the new site. From a passive aesthetic perspective, however, it's no contest. Old and weird wins out every time.
posted by Happy In Bag @ 7:43 AM
13 Comments:
At 2:30 PM,
brucedene said…
I'm delighted that old bird is still around! I used to shop(lift) there when it was Katz Drugs. Got some of my first 45s on the top floor (*sighs heavily like an old man*).
At 8:14 PM,
Happy In Bag said…
Oh, yeah? I'd love to know what you recall buying (or stealing)? Beatles? James Brown? Aerosmith? Prince?
At 11:42 PM,
Anonymous said…
I thought I was the only one who admired the funky old drugstore building. Aren't the Internets wonderful?
At 12:23 AM,
brucedene said…
Huh! Clearly you've mistaken me for somebody cool. Some of the 45s I remember getting there are "Bennie and the Jets" and something by Seals and Crofts. See what I mean? Oh, and this gem: "Sister Mary Elephant" by Cheech & Chong.
They put the candy racks up there by the east exit upstairs, which made it real convenient to grab a Snickers on the way out, too.
At 9:05 AM,
Happy In Bag said…
Bruce, no record is cooler than "Bennie and the Jets"! And this is forever burned into my mind: "Class...class... class... SHUT UP!" Boy, I can't stand that skit.
At 10:39 AM,
Don't Need Anything said…
i used to clean the newer building across the street. and the old CVS building is in far better shape than the new one. the floor is cracking everywhere - it was built quite poorly. and that cvs building is wicked cool.
At 12:20 PM,
brucedene said…
You heard it from the music critic, folks: No record is cooler than "Bennie and the Jetssssssssssssssss"
Can I see your papers?
At 7:08 PM,
Happy In Bag said…
Am I being mocked, Bruce? While I don't need independent confirmation of my taste- I dig those "solid walls of sound"- taste these:
Mary
Biz
DNA- That's wild.
At 7:39 PM,
bgo said…
Where shall i begin and end? Neither I suppose. I have other locations of Katz Drugs that will one be classic short stories or honest essays.
And when they razed the EBT building in downtown KC a big part of its soul forever died. I still cannot make my mind up about the Sprint Arena, though I do like the new Bloch building.
moose & squirrel
At 11:25 AM,
brucedene said…
Mocked? Hellnaw dude, it was just a little unexpected. I'm ditto on that one comment re Biz: "classic in a weird way."
At 2:34 PM,
Michael said…
Katz, Skaggs, Osco, CVS (did I miss anything?). We'd always do our shopping and grab a bite as a family at the ol' Kings Food Host across the street (then Peaches Records, etc. etc.). After the two-floor store died, I alwasy felt sorry for whatever tiny business was going to die next on that bottom floor. C'mon that building is way retro-cool. Like a big, ugly, decidedly un-fun Transformer or something. (the toy, not the electrical device) I can only take so much stucco-looking construction material.
At 2:49 PM,
Happy In Bag said…
I guess I should mention that the used furniture store on that bottom floor facing 75th has some really nice stuff.
At 9:54 PM,
Christy said…
I really hope they don't change the building or tear it down. I agree that it needs to be prettified and the parking lot is a mess, but I grew up with that building. It's always been there for me--it's my failsafe pharmacy and i know if I need something I can always go there. The outside makes me smile and it's going to be a sad day when it goes away.
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