The year 1985 was truly unforgettable—and not just because it marked my high school graduation. That year, George Brett led the KC Royals to their first-ever World Series victory, and KC Parent Magazine was born! The 1980s were a period of renaissance for magazines, with many specialized titles emerging to cater to niche audiences. Although I wasn’t part of KC Parent in its early days (I was still a student, after all!), the magazine’s founders were focused on helping families raise caring, responsible young people who would grow into self-sufficient adults. Back then, without the internet, finding parenting advice wasn’t as easy as it is now.
Fast forward to 2005, when my husband and I acquired the magazine. Our shared family values, ambition and deep love for Kansas City drove us to take on the project. A few years earlier, we had launched KC Baby & Maternity from the ground up and were eager to expand our reach in the local community. One of our first changes was to revamp the publication, transforming it into a glossy, magazine-sized format that was easy for busy moms to grab and tuck into their bags.
Over the years, KC Parent has grown to include additional publications, like KC Going Places, while also building a strong digital presence through KCParent.com and social media channels. Our online and print calendar has remained a reader favorite, offering families a reliable resource for discovering local events and activities. It’s been incredibly rewarding to know that we play a part in bringing Kansas City families closer together.
As I look back at what’s changed in KC since my high school graduation, here are some fun highlights:
1. Big hair: In the ’80s, I had big hair and curly bangs! Permanents (ask your mom what that is) were a fixture. Now, sleek and straight is more in, but we’ll never forget the days of teasing and hairspray!
2. Phones connected to the wall: Phones were tethered to the wall by a curly cord, and if you wanted privacy, you’d stretch that cord as far as it would go! Some phones even were rotary with a circular dial, featuring sequenced holes that your fingers had to rotate for each number. Plus, the whole family would share the same line. Imagine taking turns!
3. Riding bikes until the streetlights came on: Childhood freedom meant hopping on a bike and riding around the neighborhood until the streetlights flickered on. Now, parents track their kids via smartphones!
4. Layaway at K-Mart: If you couldn’t afford that hot item, you’d put it on layaway at K-Mart, making payments until it was yours to pick up. Now, Amazon Prime delivers everything we want in a day or two.
5. Carrying a boom box: Have you seen retro movie characters lug around a massive boom box on their shoulder, blasting favorite tunes? The boom box was real! These days, we just slip on AirPods and get the same sound from a device that fits in our pocket.
6. Worlds of Fun: My two favorite rides at WOF were the Orient Express and the Zambezi Zinger—both incredibly popular in the 1980s. The Zambezi Zinger closed for 25 years, but in 2023, a reimagined version opened, preserving its legacy for new generations!
7. Answering machines: Back then, if you missed a call, someone had to leave a message recorded on your answering machine’s cassette tape. You’d play it back when you got home—revolutionary at the time!
8. 87th & Metcalf: The iconic mid-century modern structure that marks this intersection remains, but its role has changed. Called the King Louie West building, it housed bowling alleys and an ice-skating rink. I attended lots of church lock-ins there. Now, it’s the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, featuring exhibits, KidScape and the 1950s All-Electric House.
9. Encyclopedias: Research meant flipping through an encyclopedia or being dropped off at the library to search a card catalog (ask a seasoned teacher!). My parents bought one encyclopedia each month and were so proud when we finally had a full set. Now, we have the entirety of human knowledge in our pockets, courtesy of Google.
10. Rental movies at Blockbuster: There was something magical about browsing the aisles of Blockbuster for the perfect movie night rental. Today, we just scroll through Netflix or Disney+.
11. CDs and cassette tapes: I grew up listening to music on cassette tapes, and oh, making a mixtape on a cassette was a labor of love. In the late ’80s, CDs emerged. Now, we create playlists on Spotify with a couple of taps.
12. Taxi rides: Hailing a cab was an art. Now, we hop into cars with strangers, using apps like Uber or Lyft and trusting the app to take us where we need to go.
13. Union Station: This historic landmark in Kansas City was once our bustling train station but closed in 1985. Following a major restoration effort in the 1990s, it reopened in 1999 as a vibrant cultural hub and Amtrak station.
14. No caller ID: Picking up the phone used to be a gamble since there was no caller ID. You never knew whether it was your best friend or a telemarketer on the other end.
15. Shopping malls: We shopped at Metro North Mall, Metcalf South and Bannister Mall—I distinctly remember dragging my dad there to buy me leg warmers! All three malls are now gone, replaced by Zona Rosa, Town Center and, of course, online shopping.
16. VCRs: To miss a first-run episode of a favorite show meant waiting months for the rerun to air. The power to set the VCR to record shows or sporting events was liberating—and the device let us watch movies once available only in theaters. Back to the Future in a Shawnee living room the summer of ’85 seemed almost as magical as a DeLorean time machine!
17. Phone books: Everyone used to keep a phone book handy to look up businesses’ or friends’ numbers. They made great booster seats at the table too—ask your mom what a phone book is!
18. Roller rinks: Skating to synthesizer-heavy music under disco lights at Skateland South was in its heyday during the 1980s. I still remember wearing my snazzy red jeans to the rink!
19. Paper maps: We used to unfold huge paper maps to figure out how to get from point A to point B—bonus points if you could refold it to fit back into the glove box! Now, GPS handles all the navigating for us.
20. The Chiefs: In 1985, the Chiefs ended the season with a 6-10 record, part of a challenging decade for the team. NFL players made $100K-$300K in the ’80s. Today, however, the Chiefs are celebrating two recent Super Bowl victories and are poised for even more success!
21. Waldo Astoria: Every once in a while, my parents took me to this fancy dinner theater in Waldo. I vividly recall seeing Annie there and singing every word of the songs, much to everyone’s dismay, for months after. Charming venues like this have since been replaced by new theaters.
22. School overhead projectors: No more chalk dust when teachers wrote on clear plastic sheets they switched out by hand on the overhead projector’s brightly lit glass surface. Of course, overheating was an obstacle. Now, smartboards have taken over classrooms.
23. Arcades: Going to the local arcade with a pocketful of quarters to play Pac-Man or Centipede was a monthly ritual. Hotels specialized in game rooms, and I remember the second we would get to a hotel, my brother and I would go check out the arcade.
24. The circus: One of my favorite childhood memories was going to the circus at Kemper Arena and sometimes watching the animals being unloaded from the trains. Now, the T-Mobile Center has taken over as the go-to venue for traveling shows.
25. Pay phones: You used to have to hunt down a pay phone and carry coins to make a call when you were out. Now, we carry our phones with us everywhere. I was newly married when my father-in-law bought the first “mobile cell phone.” It was housed in a large black case in the back seat of the car and only pulled out for emergencies!
26. The Glenwood Arts Theatre: I saw many movies at this beloved theater, known for its 70mm film showings, plush seating and huge screen. Sadly, this treasure near 95th & Metcalf closed in 2000 and was later demolished.
27. Kansas City International Airport: In 1985, going to the airport meant strolling a mere 75 feet from the terminal curb to your gate at one of three circular terminals. Since then, KC has become a world-class city with a sleek, single terminal better serving visitors and Kansas Citians alike.
28. Putt-putt golf: I loved putt-putt golf, and Cool Crest with its four courses, beautiful gardens and parrots was incredibly popular in the ’80s. Though new entertainment like Topgolf has emerged, Cool Crest is one of the few originals still standing.
29. Shopping habits: Aching feet and an empty gas tank were often the price for finding just the right item. Online shopping is now king. I still remember helping my mom navigate the web in the early days—she got nervous around 5:00 thinking the online shop was about to close for the day!
30. Salad bars: In 1985, grazing opportunities at all-you-can-eat salad bars were everywhere you looked in KC—from special places like Costello’s Greenhouse to fast-food hamburger chains! Our obsession with assorted leafy greens continues, but now most restaurants assemble and serve them as entrees.
31. Shoulder pads: I’m talking fashion, not football! You could shop the Jones Store Co. or Fashion Gal for sweaters, blazers, dresses—even t-shirts—sporting hidden padding to create the power shoulder look. Who would have guessed anyone would resurrect the style, but the trend has shown up recently in Hollywood and on the runway.
32. The Plaza: In the ’80s, the Plaza was filled with smaller, independently-owned businesses and, oddly enough, a bowling alley where my dad bowled every Monday night! Now, it’s home to national chains, and the bowling alley was demolished in 1998.
33. Sears catalog: The Sears catalog was the ultimate shopping guide, and kids like myself would pore over it for hours. Now, it’s been replaced by e-commerce giants like Amazon.
34. Kaleidoscope: Thanks to Hallmark, Kaleidoscope has been a fixture in Kansas City for decades, and I have fond memories of doing many, creative hands-on activities there. More recently, Kaleidoscope has added immersive exhibits, including kaLIGHToscope and Color Exploration.
35. Typing class: I loved typing class and the sound of the carriage return whizzing by! Some school papers had to be typed on a typewriter, and if you made a mistake, no Delete button could save you. Wite-Out to the rescue! Our daughter was so fascinated with the concept of a typewriter, that she asked for one for Christmas—I found one at the thrift store!
36. Iconic restaurants: Dining out was a treat in the ’80s, usually reserved for special occasions. Some of our favorites were Stephenson’s Apple Farm Restaurant, Sam Wilson’s (with its amazing salad bar where you could slice your own cheese) and Golden Ox.
37. Popcorn on the stove: Before microwave popcorn, people made popcorn on the stove. Now, we toss a bag in the microwave, and it’s done in minutes.
38. Walkman: The Sony Walkman was every music lover’s best friend, allowing us to listen to cassettes on the go. In 1985, I remember entering an essay contest and winning a Walkman!
39. McLain’s Bakery: When I was a child, my mom would take me to the original McLain’s Bakery at 74th & Wornall, near our house. Now, they’ve expanded to six locations, with the newest one in North Kansas City.
40. Coffee shops were not a thing: Forty years ago, coffee shops like we know them today were uncommon. Instead, most people brewed Folgers or used instant coffee at home—the idea of spending money on a specialty coffee was unheard of.
As I look back on the changes since my high school graduation, it’s fun to reflect on how much has evolved. Yet through it all, one thing remains constant: KC Parent Magazine continues to deliver timely, relevant content that connects and supports families across Kansas City, just as it did back in 1985.
Susan Gimotty is a Kansas City native and has so enjoyed being involved with KC Parent Magazine while raising their four kids with her husband Michael.