I don’t write this blog for money or fame or freebies; I write this blog specifically to highlight locally owned businesses in Brookside and Waldo. In our neighborhood, we have a strong tradition of supporting the locals. And it’s really fun to meet these folks: the entrepreneurs with a dream of running their own business and being a part of our community. They all WANT to be in Brookside and Waldo, and often LIVE within a few blocks of the storefront. They are so very excited to start and grow their business in this specific location. They are all…so sincerely friendly.

Back in April 2022, shortly after the restaurant opened, I stopped by Brady and Fox to interview Shaun for this blog. I didn’t know him, but he welcomed me in and spent about an hour talking with me. Of course, he was interrupted a few times–greeting people that came in, checking in on an order, stopping by to check on a table. He was so very proud of the traditional pub food he served, the 50 types of whiskey he stocked, the way he slow cooked the corned beef. My husband loved the fish ‘n chips. He was excited about getting the outdoor patio ready for use. I loved his easy smile, Irish accent, his specific dedication to family and community, saying he wanted to “bring back the family meal”, encouraging children at the table to converse and not just stare at screens. The Irish community is strongly connected here to each other in KC, by blood and friendship, and proof of that is the big Irish Fest held every Labor Day weekend at Crown Center. Shaun was proud to be a part of it.

So Shaun takes out the trash on a normal August summer day,…there is traffic whizzing by, dog walkers around, folks heading home from work, people stopping in the bar for a refreshing drink on a hot day …he’s tending to his customers and business and ends up getting shot dead. Walks outside to take out the trash, doesn’t walk back in. That’s it. Each of us, every day, we carry on as usual: working, going to school, making deals, shopping, meeting up with friends, taking out the trash. But for some people, carrying on as usual means stealing cars, slashing tires, breaking into storefronts and shooting innocent citizens nearby. Yes, THAT IS THEIR NORMAL DAY. THAT IS THEIR NORMAL DAY. THAT IS THEIR NORMAL DAY.

I don’t have any answers or remedies to stop the violence, the break ins, the senseless theft . You or I could easily be the next victim. At any time. But I wanted to write this blog today to thank Shaun for bringing his Irish charm to Brookside for a few years, and for the good times and good food he gave us. I am so so very sad his life ended this way. It’s not normal, is it?