July 8 blog post
Headline:
John and Kathy’s Shop, a Downtown mainstay
Excerpt:
For 24 years, this neighborhood convenience store has been owned by a couple, not
a corporation.
Blog Text:
In a big, sprawling city like Phoenix, most convenience stores have a K or a 7 in their
name. Happily, Downtown has an exception: John and Kathy’s Shop, a neighborhood
convenience store that’s owned by a couple, not a corporation.
Two ex-Chicagoans, John and Kathy Plunkett bought the shop in the Luhrs Building
some 24 years ago. “Coming from Chicago, we wanted to be part of the big city,” says
John, explaining why they chose Downtown for their business.
More recently, the Plunketts moved to a street front location on the first floor of the
Orpheum Lofts, a high rise next to the Orpheum Theatre. Though their customers
have changed a bit – from the jurors who frequented them in the Luhrs Building to
the businesspeople and loft owners in their new location – their shop continues to
offer the same wide selection of items.
So, what can you get at John and Kathy’s? Pretty much whatever you’d expect from a
convenience store, plus a few things you wouldn’t expect. That includes snacks,
sandwiches, fountain drinks, ice cream, magazines, an ATM, Arizona Lottery tickets,
cards, gift baskets, and health and beauty items. Even a U.S. post office and dry
cleaning services.
Over the years, John and Kathy have gotten to know a lot of their customers. They’ve
also witnessed a lot of changes in Downtown Phoenix. “Though the process has been
slow, I’m hopeful about the future,” John says. “There have been a lot of positive
changes, and we’d love to see more people moving to the area.”
Be sure to stop by and say hi, and while you’re there, get a burrito or some lottery
tickets. One piece of advice: John is an ardent Cubs fan, so while Sox fans are always
welcome, just try not to mention their 2005 World Series win while you’re there.
John and Kathy’s Shop
Open 6:30 am to 5 pm;
Post office is open from 8 am to 4:45 pm
114 W. Adams, Suite 107A
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-258-4859
RJ, here is their actual web site for the link:
http://www.lottasites.com/john_kathys.html