End of an Era?

October 18, 2012

The old fashioned soda fountain (the real deal) at Fox's Drugstore in Raytown is closed!

I recently took my granddaughter to have an "experience" from my past. I wanted her to sit on the twirly red-padded counter stools and order a cherry coke or a chocolate malt. When I was young, Whaley's Drugstore on 24th street in east Kansas City was a favorite stop on the way home from Ashland Elementary School. (And yes, we walked the whole six blocks!) If we had a nickel between us, my sister and I would split a cherry coke. Two straws please!

Alas, what do we do now? We could go to a new "retro" soda fountain, but it just wouldn't be right!

Gary Fox, the dashing owner with twinkling blue eyes who started out sweeping the floor when he was a child, never believing or wanting to own the store himself, was losing money keeping the fountain open. The faithful employee that was manning the fountain had to retire due to age and health issues. However, he says if the right person came along, he would be willing to open it again.

Are you that person? Come on Raytown. We let our old train depot go. Let's not let Fox's Fountain disappear forever.

Julie C.
Raytown Branch