We have another new business to welcome to Brookside—Westlake Ace Hardware at 104 W 63^rd St, in the former Tuesday Morning space.  Although Ace Hardware is a national chain as a coop owned dealership, Westlake’s is the largest wholly owned and operated dealer for Ace, locally owned and headquartered in Lenexa KS with over 145 stores and 5000 employees.  I recently stopped by and looked around the space, and chatted with manager Amber Murfin.

My first question was why Westlake decided on this location.  Amber explained “They wanted to try a smaller footprint for a store and have loved the Brookside area for many years and have long looked for a suitable location. And there is so much foot traffic here along 63^rd St.”  With a smaller store, it will be challenging having a large selection of spring flowers and herbs available for purchase, however Amber plans to offer those popular items.  Right now they are stocked up on all kinds of grilling supplies and tools, on display as you walk in. A large selection of regional barbecue sauces and spices just past the entrance is a permanent fixture for the store.  Amber also looks forward to changing the window displays every month, going along with the Brookside tradition of enticing passersby  via those creative presentations.

Besides the usual hardware store stock of paint (Benjamin Moore here), tools, plumbing and cleaning supplies, etc, Westlake offers key cutting services and key FOB programming, window and screen door repair, Toby Tobin Dyna Green bird seed and yard products, plus glass and plexiglass cutting .  They also deliver, and will pick up something from another store they may not have in stock at the Brookside location to get it to the customer.   Friendly smiles and an offer to help find particular items greet everyone who walks in the front door.

Amber is very excited to manage this new store. She’s been with Westlake for over twelve years, working her way up from an inventory position, eventually managing three different stores, most recently at the Westport location.  She loves teaching and learning, and looks forward to getting to know regular customers and becoming part of the Brookside/Waldo neighborhood.  She remarked, “I’d like to say a big thank you to the community here.  Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive”.

Our new Westlake Ace Hardware is open 7:30am-8:00pm Monday through Saturday, and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday.  Watch their Facebook page for grand opening specials starting in mid February.

All last year I was reporting the fast home sales and high sales prices of Armour Hills homes. So how did the year end up compared to 2019? I’ve got the stats for you here; first will report on the December 2020 home sales.

At first glance, it looks like home values dropped quite a bit compared to December 2019. But look at the number of homes that closed: in 2019 it was just two; last month 15 homes closed! That’s unusual for the month of December. In addition, homes went under contract quicker–during colder holiday months during a pandemic. Let’s look at YTD numbers for the past five years:

Comparing home prices from 2019 to 2020, there was an increase of only .9%! I was surprised it wasn’t more–many Armour Hills properties sold for way over asking price, by several thousands of dollars. However if you compare 2018 to 2020, values shot up 9% and since 2016, up a whopping 25% in five years. Many homes went under contract within a week.

Currently there are no homes for sale in Armour Hills. Two properties went on the market last week; both were under contract within one day.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)