Kerry Browne was two years old when she started working at her family's store. "My relatives asked my parents what took so long," she jokes. Some of her earliest memories are working at the store, stocking its shelves and riding in the company delivery van. Tomorrow, June 6, she'll add to those memories when Browne's Irish Market celebrates its 122-year Anniversary with a huge block party from 2 to 11 p.m. at 33rd and Pennsylvania.
When Browne's was founded in 1887, a guy named Grover was in the White House, 70 percent of Americans didn't have indoor plumbing, Alf Landon was an infant and Colorado had just been admitted to the Union.
Browne's is now the self-proclaimed oldest Irish business west of the Mississippi River.
Kerry said the family expects around 5,000 people to help them
celebrate the anniversary. "We've expanded a lot this year. We got some
national bands [Enter the Haggis] and a new stage for them to play on,
as well as more food and drink stands so people don't have to wait in
line."
Kerry said that the store tries to stay as traditional as
it can with the food and drink, but it must cater to everyone's taste.
"We've got good Irish beers. Guinness, the Guinness 250-anniversary Stout everyone loves, Beamish, Smithwick's, Weston Brewery
Company, Boulevard and Miller Lite ... we'll serve the Miller Lite but it
doesn't mean we have to with a smile."
Food will include a black
and tan sandwich (corned beef on marble rye), bangers, fish and chips
and the more Americanized chicken tenders and chips. Tickets
for the anniversary are $10. If you can't make it Saturday, Kerry says
not to worry. "We'll still be here after. We're not going
anywhere ... right now we're training the fifth generations of family. They help out with getting Cokes and stuff ... they'll be here
for a long time to come."
(Image via Wayward Blog's Jason Harper)
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