Many were saddened to learn that John’s Novelty Co. at 1014 Mass. was closing. The tiny site had been a “mecca of madcap” since 1979 but recent business had not been sufficient to maintain it, said John Emick, the man behind the venture. Emick had served as a city commissioner and mayor.

The Kansas University Endowment Association’s campaign to raise $4.9 million to build the K.S. “Boots” Adams Alumni Center had surpassed its goal and the total had topped $5 million. The three-story structure was due for completion in May of 1983.