Teresa and James McDermott have built a loyal customer following out of selling all things nostalgia.
Their store, 20th Century Legends, has operated out of Independence Center in Missouri for the past 17 years. The couple has also made appearances at various state fairs and conventions, bonding with their community of customers over their eclectic souvenirs.
Now, this spring, the McDermotts’ souvenir shop has entered a new chapter — and a new space — at the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.
They opened their new Overland Park store this past weekend.
20th Century Legends will operate at 11149 W. 95th St.
- The store moved into a space on the lower level of the mall.
- 20th Century Legends will neighbor JCPenney and AME Sports at the mall, off of West 95th Street and Quivira Road.
- The store will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
The store offers souvenirs past and present
20th Century Legends offers customers a “blast from the past”, as the McDermotts say.
The store’s inventory represents icons from movies and shows that people enjoyed in recent decades — from the likes of Star Trek and Harry Potter to iconic figures like John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe.
Items come in various forms, from plush toys and clothing to backpacks and water bottles.
“We try to have a little something for everybody,” Teresa said. “It’s like a blast from the past — when you walk into the store, that’s exactly what you feel.”
20th Century Legends has maintained a collection of the items that formed its earliest years, like Beanie Babies and Pokémon cards. But over time, the McDermotts have added to the store’s inventory based on the current trends of the day — such as Funko Pops and anime figures.
“We just try to keep up with what’s hot,” James said. “A lot of people walk in and say, ‘This is like a cross between a Hot Topic and a Disney store.”
This is not the McDermotts’ first time at Oak Park Mall
20th Century Legends made its first appearance as a seasonal tenant at the Overland Park mall six years ago. They’ve also sold their goods at Overland Park’s downtown Holiday Market.
Though their contract at their new space at the mall is temporary, they’ll occupy the space through the end of 2024 with hopes, Teresa said, to stay for longer.
“There is so much foot traffic over there and just a really good feeling in that mall,” she said. “You can feel the excitement when you’re walking around.”
But 20th Century Legends’ history goes back even further than its start in Missouri. The McDermotts opened their first storefront 26 years ago in Virginia, and operated three more before moving to the Kansas City area.
The two are looking forward to beginning their store’s new era and to connecting with a new set of customers over relics from pop culture’s past. After all, Teresa said, that’s the best part.
“The thing about our business that we’ve established is that we have a lot of people that we become close with,” she said. “They become almost like family. We’ve built those relationships, and that’s what I love the most.”
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