Browne’s Irish Marketplace: America’s Oldest Irish Business & A Kansas City Legacy
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Browne’s Irish Marketplace: America’s Oldest Irish Business & A Kansas City Legacy
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About this listen
As we gear up for the Kansas City Irish Fest, we’re revisiting our episode with Kerry Browne and John McClain, 4th-generation owners of Browne’s Irish Marketplace — the oldest Irish-owned business in the world outside of Ireland, and Kansas City’s oldest retail business.
Located in Midtown Kansas City, Browne’s is beloved for its Irish hospitality, curated imports from Ireland, and authentic Irish food, drinks, and gifts. It’s more than a store — it’s a living piece of Irish-American history.
In this episode, Kerry and John share how Browne’s has survived and thrived through:
Two pandemics
Two World Wars
The Great Depression
Prohibition (with rumors of visits from Tom Pendergast!)
And every economic downturn for nearly 150 years
We also hear from their son Ian and longtime friend Pete McCluskey, a key player in both the KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade and KC Irish Fest, as they reflect on Irish culture, resilience, and the immigrant legacy that helped shape Kansas City.
Whether you’re Irish by birth or Irish at heart — this is a story worth raising a glass to. Sláinte!