For decades, McGonigle’s Market was the kind of neighborhood grocery store that inspired loyalty. At 79th and Ward Parkway, customers squeezed into a tight parking lot, threaded their way through narrow aisles and waited in holiday lines that could stretch out the door—all to get the steaks, seafood, turkey or other special-order items they trusted.

So when the McGonigle family sold the store in 2020 to Iowa-based Fareway Stores, Inc., there was plenty of curiosity about what would happen to this longtime Kansas City institution. I was curious to find out for myself! I’m happy to report the new Fareway Meat Market has kept one of McGonigle’s most important traditions—the emphasis on quality meat and personal service—while dramatically expanding everything else.

I stopped by the new store recently, and one of the first things I noticed wasn’t the merchandise. It was the employees. Several greeted me or asked if I needed help finding something. A sincerely friendly and helpful staff; that was refreshing!!  At nearly 12,000 square feet, the new store has room to breathe. The produce department is substantially larger, with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, bottled smoothies and bagged salads. The deli offers a broader selection of hot and cold sandwiches and prepared sides. And the meat counter has grown right along with the store. Assistant Grocery Manager Nate Maiers says the meat counter remains the standout. “We really have the best quality meats here, all sourced from the Midwest,” he said. “And you might recognize a familiar face here in the meat section from McGonigles: Jeff made the move to Fareway from the old store”. 

The store also puts plenty of emphasis on local favorites, too. Nate showed off an impressive selection of barbecue sauces and rubs, along with Shatto dairy products, Shakespeare’s frozen pizza and MeMa’s baked goods.

Also new:  conveniences that McGonigle’s shoppers never had. Customers can shop online and have their groceries brought out to the car. A “pre order” website will debut sometime before Thanksgiving. Fareway also offers catering, an outdoor patio for dining and, yes, there’s a large liquor department.

One of the more interesting changes is at the front of the store. Rather than filling the checkout area with rows of self-service machines, Fareway has two self-checkout registers, with an employee nearby to assist customers. Nate says that makes sense for the way many customers shop here. Most shoppers, he explained, aren’t pushing full carts through the store. They may be picking up a bag or two of groceries, grabbing dinner or stopping in specifically for something from the meat counter. “Having the smaller checkout area gave us more shelf space to carry the larger variety of items we have here,” he said.

The result is a Fareway that feels considerably different from the cramped McGonigle’s many Kansas Citians remember—but not entirely disconnected from it. The aisles are wider. The selection is bigger. Parking is easier. That may be the most important takeaway. McGonigle’s is gone, but the corner at 79th and Ward Parkway still has a grocery store where you can talk to a butcher, pick up a locally made favorite, grab a quick meal and pick up some essential groceries quickly.

And what is going to happen to the old building? Recently demolished, something will be rebuilt on that site, but no details yet.

Fareway Meat Market is at 7921 Ward Parkway; hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.