The French Market 1963 - 2019
It was an iconic and unique addition to the Overland Park retail scene in the early 1960's in not only what it offered to consumers but the Downtown Metcalf skyline. Designed in 1963 by architect Morris Schechter, (he and Raymond Bales designed the famed TWA headquarters building in Kansas City, MO.) hass indeed been razed this fall. The French Market was the first retail project of Kansas City-based entrepreneur Sherman Drieseszun. Drieseszun had cut his teeth in the garment business, acquiring Vic-Gene Manufacturing with his nephew and business partner Frank Morgan. They were only four years apart in age. Opening shortly before the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the French Market drew customers from all over the metro. At a whopping 171,000 square feet total, with 135,000 square feet allotted to general merchandise and another 36,000 to food and drug. The land was originally owned by George and Agatha Barthol as the family farmstead for 54 years. They raised 10 children.
We have gathered as much historical information as we can to date. Please click on each button to the history of The French Market.
It was an iconic and unique addition to the Overland Park retail scene in the early 1960's in not only what it offered to consumers but the Downtown Metcalf skyline. Designed in 1963 by architect Morris Schechter, (he and Raymond Bales designed the famed TWA headquarters building in Kansas City, MO.) hass indeed been razed this fall. The French Market was the first retail project of Kansas City-based entrepreneur Sherman Drieseszun. Drieseszun had cut his teeth in the garment business, acquiring Vic-Gene Manufacturing with his nephew and business partner Frank Morgan. They were only four years apart in age. Opening shortly before the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the French Market drew customers from all over the metro. At a whopping 171,000 square feet total, with 135,000 square feet allotted to general merchandise and another 36,000 to food and drug. The land was originally owned by George and Agatha Barthol as the family farmstead for 54 years. They raised 10 children.
We have gathered as much historical information as we can to date. Please click on each button to the history of The French Market.
