History
July 1936
1936
James 'Jimmy' and Allen Block start business with Werby Realty and Investment Co. Four years later, they purchase the business, and things are put on hold to serve in WWII.
July 1946
1946 - Company Founded
The brothers return from WWII and Block & Company is officially founded.
July 1958
1958 - 39th & Rainbow Boulevard
Block & Company assists in the development of the 39th & Rainbow Boulevard restaurant and parking lot.
July 1959
1959 - Prom Motor Hotel Opens
Kansas City's Prom Motor Hotel debuted on June 7th, with 5 floors and 102 rooms. Block & Company handled the transaction.
July 1959
1959 - Golden Point
Block & Company brings 12 Golden Point restaurants to the Kansas City area.
July 1960
1960 - Mr. Burger comes to KC
Block & Company brings the second area Mr. Burger to Kansas City in June.
July 1962
1962 - Block & Company hosts 'Throw a Rock Thru the Greenhouse'
At 78th & Stateline, about 200 men, women, and children attended the 'Throw a Rock Thru the Greenhouse' event. Attendees paid to throw rocks at the old Meadowlake greenhouse at 7831 State Line, already scheduled for demolition.
July 1966
1966-69 - Taco Bell, Pizza Hut & Arby's
Block & Company brings Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Arby's to their first locations in Kansas City, MO.
July 1967
1967 - Official name change
Block & Company officially changes their name to Block & Company, Inc., Realtors. Their HQ is in downtown KC, at 14th & Grand Boulevard.
July 1968
1968-69 - Pizza Hut
Block & Company brings Pizza Hut #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8 to the KC area.
July 1968
1968 - Big Boy
The first area Big Boy opens in Independence, MO, in January, with Block & Company handling the leasing.
July 1968
1968 - Wienerschnitzel
Block & Company brings the first Wienerschnitzel to 8100 Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO, in February.
July 1973
1973 - A&W
Block & Company brings the first A&W to Kansas City in August.
July 1974
1974 - Official HQ
Block & Company moves into the Skelly Oil Building on the Country Club Plaza, claiming it as their official HQ, where they still remain today.
July 1981
1981 - Heritage Plaza
A Block & Company, Inc., Realtors headed investment group purchases Heritage Plaza, located in Omaha, Nebraska. The investment group still owns the multi-tenant strip center today.
July 1982
1982 - Showbiz Pizza & Perkins
A Block & Company-headed investment group is involved in developing Showbiz Pizza and Perkins, two national chains.
July 1983
1983 - Bannister Mall Acquisition
A Block & Company-headed investment group acquires Bannister Square Shopping Center, strategically located on the southeast corner of I-435 & Bannister Road. The same group owns it today.
July 1985
1985 - Wendy's
A Block & Company-headed investment group purchases 14 area Wendy's as long-term investment properties.
July 1986
1986 - KC Masterpiece
KC Masterpiece opens its first restaurant in July, with Block & Company handling the leasing and ownership group.
July 1986
1986 - Mission West Shopping Center Acquisition
A Block & Company-headed investment group acquires Mission West Shopping Center in Mission, KS. The same group owns it today.
July 1987
1987 - Landing Mall
In February, Block & Company begins leasing and property management services for the Landing Mall, located in Kansas City, Missouri.
July 1987
1987 - 13.5M SF
Block & Company, Inc., Realtors attains a landmark milestone, developing and managing a total of 13.5 million square feet of property across the KC Metro and beyond.
July 1990
1990 - Applebee's
A Block & Company-headed investment group secures multiple Applebee's locations in the Metro and franchise rights for Nevada.
July 2008
2008 - Stroud's
Block & Company brings Stroud's to Independence, MO and Fairway, KS.
July 2008
2008-12 - Plaza at the Speedway
Block & Company develops the Plaza at the Speedway in KCK, bringing in numerous restaurants such as Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chick-Fil-A and more.
July 2012
2012 - Bo Lings
Block & Company brings Bo Lings to their Country Club Plaza location.
July 2018
2018 - Chappell's
A Block & Company investment group acquires Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum.
July 2023
2023 - UMKC Venture Challenge
Block & Company principals award grants to three local start-ups, investing in Kansas City's entrepreneurs. The annual scholarship competition, the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge (RVCC), is held at the University of Missouri Kansas City's Bloch School of Management.
July 2024
2024-25 - Industry Leader
Block & Company continues to be recognized by multiple publications and organizations as an industry leader.
July 2025
2025 - Summit Fair Acquisition
A Block & Company headed investment group acquires Summit Fair Lifestyle Center, a premier 500,000+ SF retail destination located at the intersection of Interstate 470 & 50 Highway at Chipman Road in Lee's Summit, MO.
July 2025
2025 - Lease Listings for Two Super-Regional Shopping Centers
Block & Company secures leasing for Independence Center Mall and West Ridge Mall. Independence Center Mall is located at 18801 E. 39th Street, in Independence, Missouri, and is anchored by Dillard's and Dick's Sporting Goods. West Ridge Mall, located at 1801 Wanamaker Road in Topeka, Kansas, is a central shopping destination for over 65,000 students from five nearby universities.
July 2026
2026 - UMKC Venture Challenge
Jeff Hornsby, executive director of the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UMKC, and David Block, president of Block & Company, present the first-place James and Rae Block KC Startup Award to Antoinette Redmond, founder of Neuru. Block & Company principals awarded a total of six grants to local start-ups, accelerating local entrepreneurs with vital financial support.
