Main Street, looking north at 12th, is pictured on a post card dated Aug. 16, 1948. Liggett's Drug Store sign is seen on the northwest corner. Above, on the second floor, King Joy Lo's sign brings back memories of that excellent Chinese eating place. Toy L. Jan, born in China, was one of the founders of King Joy Lo's. He became a U.S. citizen in 1949, about a year before his death, according to his obituary. Down the block north the Paramount theater sign is seen over Kansas City's most costly downtown movie theater, built as the Newman and erected in 1918 on a 100-foot frontage at 1114-18 Main, by Frank Newman. The architect was H. Alexander Drake. There was seating for 2,000. Part of the site of the theater was on the burned out ruins of the Brady Building.The tall building at the north end of the block bears the sign Berkson's. Berkson's, a ladies' ready-to-wear store, was noted for its moderate prices. An advertisement in a 1912 newspaper listed black silk dresses with pleated skirts and white satin collars for $5. The entire block bounded by Main, Baltimore, 11th and 12th was razed in the early 1970s. Today the block is occupied by the City Center Square. Kansas City Times, August 29, 1980.
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