It’s still 1981 at the Westport Flea Market — until Wednesday

Former mayors Richard Berkley and Charles Wheeler know a good burger deal

​Joe Zwillenberger only purchased the Westport Flea Market — the combination bazaar, bar and burger joint — in 2006, but since the iconic hangout is celebrating its 29th anniversary this week, Zwillenberger decided to roll back prices on a few items to what they might have cost back in 1981 — long before Fat City’s Charles Ferruzza and Jonathan Bender (who collaborated on this post) had moved to Kansas City.
 

The Westport Flea Market was created by Mel Kleb when Westport was establishing itself as the groovy dining-and-drinking location in town: the Country Club Plaza was too stodgy, and the once-happening River Quay had lost its allure after a 1977 explosion destroyed two nightclubs, back when Charles Wheeler was mayor. Richard Berkley, who followed Wheeler in office, was mayor when the Westport Flea Market opened its doors. He’s still eating there!