Store History

The Backyard Bird Center’s origins have to be looked at from two different directions. The original retail store (Dale’s For The Birds) itself was founded by Dale Beuhl in the late 80s. His original shop was located in downtown Parkville. Dale built the business and moved it a couple of times before settling into the Picture Hills shopping center off of Hwy 45. Dale’s back problems convinced him to sell the business in 1999 to John and Carol Phillips. John and Carol modernized the business systems, changed the name to the Backyard Bird Center and moved it to the Boardwalk Square Shopping Center.

In December of 2001 Mark was shopping for a Christmas present at the Noggin Noodle toy store that was located in Boardwalk Square when he saw the Backyard Bird Center sign. He decided to stop in and “check it out”. He purchased an adjustable deck arm, but more than that, he struck up a conversation about the business with John and Carol. As he was leaving, he gave John a business card and assured him that if they ever thought about selling that he and his wife may be interested.

“I must have been pretty convincing because I got a call from John the next day”.  Mark and Melanie McKellar turned the key on the door as owners on March 1, 2002. The About Mark section has a more detailed biography but given Melanie’s background as an accountant and Mark’s background as a Wildlife Biologist, they thought they made a pretty good team.

We were only in that space “across the parking lot” for a year and a half when they shopping center approached me and asked if I would consider moving within the shopping center. After some negotiations, we accepted our current space that has worked out very well for us.

We have been so lucky over the years to have many outstanding people work for us and be part of the Backyard Bird Center family. The first person I called when we decided to purchase the store was Ruth Simmons. We moved to Kansas City in January of 1992 and Ruth was one of the first friends I made here. I had started a series of bird hikes every Thursday morning called “Early Birders” and Ruth was one of two participants that attended pretty much every week. Saying Ruth is a product of the Mark School of Birding is an understatement. Ruth returned to school a few years ago and completed her biology degree and did her field work toward a master’s degree in biology. Ruth has volunteered countless hours banding birds, conducting breeding bird surveys and working on various nature-related causes.

Along with Ruth, two of our longest tenured staff members were John Burwell and Joyce Braddock. While both are retired now, I know if I call on them for help in a pinch, they will always take my calls.

Carrie Wadlow was a longtime customer that was in a situation a few years ago who needed a part-time job so we were lucky enough to be able to hire her. Today, she is our store manager and works tirelessly to keep the store going!

Over the past 20+ years, we have had numerous, wonderful “weekend” staff. You may remember Michael Palaska, Galen Dods, Mason Auch, Andrew and Aaron Herdman and our son, Matthew McKellar. In more recent years, Evyn and Teagan Bradley, Evelyn Kirtley, and Dylan Nemecek have been great additions to the team.

The Social Media era has brought us into the “cyber world”. While we have had a presence on Facebook for several years, the creation of Mark’s Backyard Birds on YouTube has opened our store to a much wider audience.

Melanie and I are very lucky to have such a wonderful staff. A luxury that many small business owners do not enjoy. It has been expressed to me many, many times over the years – it is our staff and the knowledge they bring that set us apart from other “like” businesses.

Backyard Bird Center

6212 NW Barry Rd

Kansas City, MO 64154

Store Hours

Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM