More scenes from the City Market - in February 2010

Just past the entrance to the City Market, on the right is the Steamboat Arabia exhibit. It was there that my family once had their business.

My family owned a wholesale produce business for nearly 85 years. The "Steamboat Arabia" exhibit now occupies the exact spot where our business was located. The KC River Market holds a special place in my heart. Living here is, in a way, like going back home.

There is one very special Palestinian grocery store and deli. Fatima is always there waiting behind the register. She and I have become good friends - she knows in advance what I want depending upon the day. Gyro, Baba-Ganoush, or Falafel.

Planters Seed Co. has been around even before my family started their produce business. I enjoy going into this establishment and picking out teas, and fresh seeds for spring planting.

And my favorite part of the River Market, the Asian grocery stores and resturants are everywhere.

Kim Long's restaurant used to be Jennies Italian Restaurant.

When I was a child, the River Market was called City Market. It was simply wholesale and farmers, very little retail. The major wholesale operations were owned by Sicilians and Jews. Farmers came from what is called the West Bottoms located west along the river close to the General Mills plant and Paseo Bridge, and around the outlying areas such as Independence and Raytown which back then had many farms.

The demographics of the City Market changed to Asian shortly after the war in Vietnam ended and many Asians came to the USA. It has been a rewarding experience for me to witness the birth of this new "cultural exchange" in my city. The town fathers decided to "market" the City Market and changed the name to River Market. The entire Downtown area of KC has been "marketed" given their own "district name" as it where. The River Market District is only a few blocks from the "Garment District" where my office is located along with many lofts which have been created out of what once was clothing manufacturing operations.

China Town Market has nearly everything you can want including Fresh Fish prepared to order.

However for certain specific Asian foods such as Thai or Vietnamese one has to go to Vuong or Little Saigon. For Japanese and Korean one has to go into Overland Park Kansas. Just of 103rd and Metcalf there is a Japanese/Korean specialty grocery store. Well worth the drive if your craving Japanese or Korean foods.

Around the Market Station complex

Some pics around the apartment complex. I was initially concerned about Lucy living in an Urban setting with no fenced yard. She had a good time - stopping at EVERY tree, and there were many.

Market Station Club House

There is a nice Club House area which is around the corner from the Leasing agents area (Shelby and Sierra). It has a pool table and snack stattion. It is also equiped with WiFi

After I move in and the weather is nice, I'll post pics of the resort pool and outdoor fire-pit cooking stations.

Picking out my apartment

The time is approaching for me to move to the KC River Market. I spent many years in this area until I was 30, working for my families wholesale food company. I never dreamed I would be living in one of the new lofts or apartments. But I am and I'm excited. The name of my apartment complex is Market Station. It is a new facility (1 year old). It offers a number of floor plans, resort pool, outside firepit (cooking stations), covered parking, hardwood floors which is good as Lucy (Yorkie) will be staying with me.




There also are some very nice leasing agents with whom I've become friends. Meet Shelby (l) and Sierra (r). Over the course of the past few months, I've stopped in on many weekends to check out the availablilty of units. I feel like we are old friends by now.









Today I brought Lucy, to check out the place with me and select our apartment.


Shelby gave me the tour of a few units to choose from and also took time for a photo op with Lucy.














As apartments go, this is nice place. The kitcken is large enough for me and that's important. The Island can serve as my "table". Granted, it is not a house, but Lucy (shown in pic) as ok with it. I figure I won't be inside that much - not living on the KC River Market.










The bathroom is equiped with a "Garden Tub". I take showers, but that's ok. If I need choose to take a bath, this is certainly large enough for me, if not for two .

I'm giving up a beautiful home equiped with granite, tile, large rooms, covered patio, stone firepit...on and on. It is sad in a way. However living on the River Market does balance the loss. While the apartment is not

as comfortable as my home living here does have its benefits - as you will see in the other posts. I'm anxious to move. I'll post pics of the apartment once I am settled and the apartment is decorated properly. I'll also post pics of my view. My apartment overlooks the resort pool and area and a straight shot into downtown KC.