EDISON PARK — A neighborhood institution that stood through generations of early risers and headline seekers will soon shut its doors for good.
After 82 years in operation, the Kaage Family Newsstand, located at Northwest Highway and Oliphant Avenue, will sell its final newspaper on June 29.
Mike Kaage, who has manned the stand for over 60 years, made the difficult decision to retire following the death of his wife, Karen, earlier this year.
“It’s very bittersweet, I have mixed emotions, but it’s something that I have to do,” Kaage said.
A Family Legacy Since 1943
The Kaage newsstand began in 1943 when Mike’s grandfather, a Chicago Daily News delivery driver, bought the corner stand for $100.
Kaage began working the stand as a young child, stuffing papers at just 5 years old. During his teenage years at Taft High School, he’d start the day before sunrise to serve the morning rush.
“I’d be very disappointed if my dad didn’t wake me at 4 in the morning and take me to work,” he recalled.
Kaage and his father ran the stand together daily until his father retired in 2015 following his mother’s fall. Both of Kaage’s parents passed away in 2020, just 36 hours apart, after 70 years of marriage.
A Declining Industry
In the stand’s heyday, over 2,000 papers could be sold on a single Sunday. But those numbers have steadily dropped.
“Now I’m lucky if I sell 200 on a weekend,” Kaage said.
The shift to digital media and smartphones dramatically reduced foot traffic. Once open from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., the stand now operates only during early mornings.
“My dad would always say, ‘There’s always going to be newspapers.’ Little did he know,” Kaage said.
Even as the news industry faded, Kaage remained loyal to longtime vendors like Nadig News, which he says has always been priced at 50 cents.
Community Impact and Dedication
For the past decade, Kaage has been a one-man operation, memorizing every customer’s name and preferred paper.
The newsstand has been a consistent stop for many, including Linda Kolinski, who said she started her mornings there for years.
“It’s going to be hard not seeing him every morning anymore,” Kolinski said.
In 2013, the intersection was given the honorary name “Kaage’s Corner”, recognizing its deep neighborhood roots.
Rita McGovern, former executive director of the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce, joked Kaage should now become the “unofficial mayor of Edison Park.”
“No, my dad was the mayor,” Kaage replied, smiling.
One Last Paper, Then Family Time
Kaage, who now lives in Des Plaines, is retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren — 3-year-old Cora and 8-month-old Mack — who he used to watch weekly with his wife.
Though he’s unsure what will happen to the physical stand, one thing is certain:
“One thing’s for sure, I’m not going to miss winter one bit.”
Have memories of picking up the paper at Kaage’s Corner? Share your favorite moments or a shoutout to Mike in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
