About a month ago, Dave Dozier watched as two other members of a “If You Grew Up In Prairie Village” Facebook group argued over what used to occupy certain storefronts at the Shops of Prairie Village.

Dozier, who grew up in Prairie Village in the 1960s and 1970s, challenged the two Facebook group members to meet up at the Shops and point out the locations of restaurants and stores of yesteryear.

For Dozier, his challenge was sort of a joke — until it blew up in the Facebook group.

“I posted that kind of just like fishing, see if anybody took the bait,” Dozier said. “Before the day was over, I got 50 or 60 responses from people. It blew me away completely. Within about 24 hours, I had had so much response and positive feedback that I almost felt like it was too late to turn back.”

That comment in a Facebook group turned into a fond memories walking tour.

On Sunday afternoon, roughly 40 people showed up outside of Bag and Baggage — the old T. G. & Y. Stores Co., according to a map shared with the group — to stroll through the Shops of Prairie Village and reminisce.

Prairie Village “engrained … in my soul”

Dozier, who hasn’t lived in Prairie Village since graduating from Shawnee Mission East, said no matter where he ends up — New Mexico for college or somewhere nearby like Overland Park or Shawnee — he always finds himself stopping by Prairie Village.

He didn’t realize how many people felt the same way about the city, though, Dozier said.

Dozier said he ties many of his memories of his mom, who died when he was in high school, to growing up in Prairie Village.

Sunday dinners at Waid’s. A stop at Velvet Freeze after a game. Having the whole day ahead of you, and staying out until dark, Dozier said.

“It’s just engrained, certainly in my soul and my being, about how much I remember and love and appreciate the fact that I was lucky enough,” Dozier said. “My mother used to say, ‘Timing is everything.’ And certainly, I think for anybody who is going to be there Sunday … timing is everything as far as living in Prairie Village.”

Walking tour draws upwards of 40 people

Dozier picked a late October Sunday for the walking tour that coincided with a Kansas City Chiefs night game in hopes of drawing folks out.

Upwards of roughly 40 people showed up on Sunday, including Sandy Boothe.

Boothe, who lives in Rogers, Arkansas now, drove to Lebanon, Missouri, to meet up with her dad, Glen Cummins, and then they came into town together for the Sunday afternoon walking tour.

She heard about the tour through the Facebook group, Boothe said, and her dad managed the Phillips 66 gas station in the early 1970s.

Boothe said she hasn’t been back to Prairie Village in at least 45 years. She remembers shopping at the Safeway and taking guitar lessons at the Toon Shop. Boothe’s first job was at Bruce Smith’s, a drug store.

“The buildings really haven’t changed much, except for the Hen House, but you can tell it’s the old Jones’,” Boothe said. “The stores are different. It really feels like walking back into nostalgia.”

Nancy Metcalfe, who graduated from SM East in 1980, helped Dozier with name tags on Sunday afternoon.

Metcalfe said she lived in Prairie Village from 1969 to 1980, and as a kid and a teenager, “The Village,” or the Shops, were her “old stomping grounds.”

At the Shops on Sunday, Metcalf said she felt nostalgic and kept thinking about some of her friends from her childhood. She called it “a nice, fuzzy feeling.”

“There were certain key places that we hung out, Velvet Freeze, Topsy’s, just different hot spots,” Metcalf said. “It’s just part of my childhood and teen years, and I just wanted to visit it again. I don’t get the opportunity to come down here very much, but I just wanted to come and see what it was about.”

How to get involved with more Prairie Village history

Those who missed out on Sunday’s event but are interested in Prairie Village’s history are in luck.

As part of the city’s 75th anniversary festivities this year, a group of volunteers is also working on an update to the city’s history book.

Anyone who has photos or stories to share that could be included in the history book can submit an online form here, or email [email protected].

Keep reading community events news: Mission celebrates 75 years with street dance, decades costume contest and live music