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You could shop... until they dropped
Montgomery Ward’s anchor position is now taken by Target. | Photo via MVSC
Shopping malls across America have been left in a state that not even Paul Blart could save, and Kansas City is no exception.
Known as “dead malls,” these abandoned, dilapidated, or mostly vacant shopping centers have become a subject of fascination — especially thanks to the online popularity of liminal space aesthetics.
Metro North Mall and its iconic balloons, circa 1979.
The two-story, 1.3 million-sqft shopping center that opened in 1976 was once popular for its shops, arcade, theater, and grand plaza with a water feature + four mini “hot air balloons” that floated up and down. By 2010, however, the mall was down to 17% occupancy.
Over on the Kansas side, Indian Springs Mall was one of the largest indoor malls of the Midwest after opening in 1971. Locals may remember the children’s maze, pet and fashion shows, and anchor tenants like Montgomery Ward during the mall’s popularity.
Do you have memories of a local mall from back in the day?
First date at the food court, trying on prom dresses at the department store, hitting up Orange Julius before picking up the perfect graphic tee at Hot Topic — we wanna hear it all.
Test Batch Thursday | 4-9 p.m. | Border Brewing Company | Menu price | Once a week, the taproom releases the seasonal, weird, and wonderful beers it has tinkered with for a limited-time tasting sesh.
Friday, May 23
Kansas City Symphony Presents “Jaws” in Concert | Thursday, May 22-Friday, May 23 | 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall | $53+ | This summer blockbuster may have kept you out of the water as a kid, but it’s perfect for a 50th anniversary film + live orchestra experience.
Saturday, May 24
Native Plant Sale | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lenexa Farmers Market | Price of purchase | Less maintenance + more biodiversity? Count us in. Browse grasses, flowers, and other plants while learning how you can be reimbursed through Lenexa’s Cost Share program.
Homegrown Harmony Festival | 12-8 p.m. | The Yellow Rock Barn at Messner Bee Farm, Raytown | $15 | Enjoy six local folk performances in an (air-conditioned) barn while eating tacos, sipping cold drinks, shopping handmade vendors, and playing yard games — it’s sure to “bee” a great time.
The Rock Show + A Grain of Sand + Pit Firing | 4-9 p.m. | Alley between 222 and 332 W. 75th St., Kansas City | Free | This collaborative project is BYOR (Bring Your Own Rock), inviting visitors to view the exhibition and add to it themselves by bringing an offering to be cataloged and documented.
Sunday, May 25
Celebration at the Station | 5-10:30 p.m. | Union Station | Free | Lay out your picnic blanket and sit back for a patriotic performance by the Kansas City Symphony at this annual Memorial Day tradition.
Weird Al Yankovic Music Bingo | 6-8 p.m. | ReRoll Tavern | $7 | Unleash your random knowledge of songs like “Amish Paradise” and “Eat It” from parody mastermind Weird Al.
Calling all Chiefs fans + Swifties. The Kansas City Chiefs just dropped their preseason schedule. All games will be broadcast on KSHB 41, including a Friday, Aug. 22 matchup with the Chicago Bears played at home. (KSHB)
Arts
Strike a pose. Take advantage of local fashion designer Whitney Manney’s open studio at 8300 Troost Ave. this weekend to learn about what goes into the creative process — and shop the collection or get measured for a fit, too. (Kansas City Magazine)
Health
Kansas City University announced it received the largest gift in the school’s history — more than $20 million from the estate of Paul W. and Mary Louise Dybedal. The money will fund research and medical education. Explore the details. (PR Newswire)
Number
6,000. That’s how many volunteers will likely be needed to support the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Kansas City. Consider this your invitation. Applications open in August. (Kansas City Star)
Film
Dinner and a movie — and live music? During Crown Center’s WeekEnder lineup this summer, catch acts like Damien Gunn Band before a showing of films like “Twisters” on Friday nights. It’s free — with the option to buy dinner + drinks from local food trucks to round out the experience.
Award
Kansas City will receive $6 million from the EPA’s federal Brownfields grants to address environmental issues on “any vacant or underused property.” See where the money could land. (Fox 4 KC)
Edu
After a dozen years at the helm of The Independence School District, Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl is retiring. The change will be effective Monday, June 30. News about an interim superintendent for the district will be forthcoming. (KCTV 5)
Announced
Welcome home. Speaking of schools, Jayhawks fans might recognize the name of new assistant men’s basketball coach, Jacque Vaughn. The former Jayhawks point guard returns to his alma mater under KU’s Bill Self after coaching with the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets + 12 years as an NBA player. (Kansas City Star)
Number
$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over.Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.†*
Category
Asked
Take a bite out of a KC-style hot dog
This calls for an emergency barbecue. | Graphic by KCtoday
We’ve got an important question about hot dogs for you. No, not whether they are sandwiches or not, but rather — why doesn’t Kansas City have its own signature frankfurter?
We want you to do your wurst and help us come up with a culinary creation that would not only be unique, but also incorporate some of our city’s quintessential flavors. Ibis Bakery bun, Scimeca’s Italian Sausage, Dixon’s Famous Chili, In-a-Tub cheese dust... the possibilities are endless.
As a kid from the southwest suburbs, the Great Mall of the Great Plains lives rent free in my mind. Between the Dickerson Theatres, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Zonkers, and that magical bowling alley carpet covering its walkways, I could probably retrace its loop layout in my head — though it was already largely empty by the time I was old enough to remember.
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