Aug 01, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: Katz Discount City - Vol. 81

Posted Aug 01, 2024 10:56 AM
Katz Discount City - 3rd & Plum (401 E. 4th) -1969 (1969-1972) (Skaggs 1972-1984) (Osco 1985-2005). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Katz Discount City - 3rd & Plum (401 E. 4th) -1969 (1969-1972) (Skaggs 1972-1984) (Osco 1985-2005). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southwest corner of East 4th Avenue and North Plum.

In 1914, brothers Ike and Mike Katz started a drug store in Kansas City and gradually expanded it to 65 stores at its peak.

In 1968, they expanded into Hutchinson at 401 E. 4th and called it Katz Discount City. The first photo shows the iconic signage being raised.

Katz Discount City - 3rd & Plum (401 E. 4th) -1969 (1969-1972) (Skaggs 1972-1984) (Osco 1985-2005). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Katz Discount City - 3rd & Plum (401 E. 4th) -1969 (1969-1972) (Skaggs 1972-1984) (Osco 1985-2005). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1972, Katz merged with the Skaggs store chain and the Katz name went away.

In 1984, Skaggs merged with Osco and the Skaggs name went away.

In 2005, Osco transitioned into the CVS Pharmacy group and the Hutchinson store closed. The property essentially sat vacant until 2016 when the Planet Fitness group opened up. The second photo shows that at opening.

Katz Discount City - Planet Fitness - 401 E. 4th - 2016. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Katz Discount City - Planet Fitness - 401 E. 4th - 2016. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 2021, the Dillons fuel stations opened up another location in the large parking lot property.

Now, in 2024, Dollar Tree has opened up another location on the south end of the building, making the facility a busy full-house again! The third photo shows the property at 401 E. 4th today, which is now owned by Hutchinson Plum L.L.C. out of Wichita.

Katz Discount City - Dollar Tree - Planet Fitness - 401 E. 4th - June 28, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Katz Discount City - Dollar Tree - Planet Fitness - 401 E. 4th - June 28, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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