More Than a Market: Customer Pays Tribute to Kirkwood Institution

When I was a kid, one of my favorite treats was an orange "push-up" from the ice cream man. My kids define treats as anything from Doritos or Hawaiian Punch to Reese's ice cream. Sometimes I treat myself to a massage or a pedicure, while my husband loves to treat himself to a frosty beer from time to time.

Today I was both happy and sad to treat myself to one of my favorite grown-up treats: smoked gouda and corned beef. These freshly-sliced delights came from in Kirkwood.

I wanted to say hello to Art McDonnell, as I was sad to read in the Webster-Kirkwood Times this week that McDonnell's Market Place will close it's doors on October 1. Read Webster-Kirkwood Times article here.

Our family has lived in Kirkwood for 13 years. Our first Kirkwood home we bought from our aunt and uncle, and they told us how wonderful McDonnell's was for lunch...including their incredible fried chicken. Ever since, McDonnell's has been our go-to quick stop shop for easy lunches, dinners, and probably most often, running up there when I have realized that I am missing one or more key ingredients to a recipe.

My kids are always excited when Mom is lazy about making dinner and walks into the house holding white styrofoam boxes containing the Market's incredible fried chicken and side dishes. McDonnell's also comes in really handy whenever I have a sick kid at home and I need to grab some soup and crackers.

We got to know Art McDonnell a little better when my son Chandler won the honor of "Mayor for the Day" in Kirkwood. Art took us to lunch at and we had a lovely talk. We learned that the first recycling center in Kirkwood was originally at the Market. We saw a picture in his office of the very first recycling event, full of happy and excited faces. We learned that Art wanted to keep the business in the family and that led to his decision to take over the store.

I love many things about the Market. I love being able to stop quickly and not having to walk a mile from my car to the store to grab what I need. I love that I don't have to walk then another mile once I am inside. I love that they seem to have a little bit of everything, be it chicken broth, marshmallows, Shakespeare's pizza, fresh produce, flowers in the spring, and last but not least, an absolutely fabulous wine selection.

When I stopped in today, Mayor McDonnell was there and we chatted briefly.  Perhaps that's what I love most about a smaller neighborhood grocery, feeling like you're stopping in to see a friend with a smile (always a smile, from everyone who works there) when you're shopping.

I told Art I was sad but excited for him. He said he is sad, too, but also looking forward to a new chapter in his life.

I asked if he was going to have a celebration on the final night. He laughed and said, "We could eat everything that's left!" He wasn't sure about that but I think our community would enjoy a final hurrah and opportunity to say thank you and farewell, don't you?

I hope someone local will purchase the store. He said he's received some phone calls with offers but isn't sure how serious they are.

I will be treating myself to many more trips to this 75-year-old Kirkwood institution between now and Oct. 1, and I hope you will, too.