City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (816) 561-0030

Address: 3300 Pennsylvania

Description: When Ed and Mary Flavin opened this grocery store in 1887, it was to offer a taste of County Kerry to the thousands of Irish immigrants finding new homes here. The tradition continued when daughter Margaret married Jim Browne, and today the shelves are still stocked with treats from the homeland: sweets such as Hob Nobs and Cadbury Flakes, tweed caps, Aran knit sweaters, teas, and Claddagh windchimes. The deli case features bangers and mash, soda bread, and Irish stew. And everyone, no matter their heritage, enjoys the chocolate chip, chocolate oatmeal, and white chunk macadamia cookies. Show up on Cookie Tuesday and they’re on sale. You might even see an impromptu Irish dance by the family’s fifth generation. Browne’s is the unofficial starting point for the city’s huge St. Patrick’s Day parade; the party starts as early as 7 a.m. with an authentic Irish breakfast.