It’s time for the annual Brookside Trick or Treat Street, happening tonight from 4-6pm!
Even if you don’t have children who want to participate, this is a fun Fall neighborhood activity for all ages: just to watch the parade of kids and often their parents, in costume, going from shop to shop collecting goodies from our local merchants.
Please be aware, 63rd St at Brookside Blvd , Wornall to Main will be full of extra pedestrians and little ones during the late afternoon today. Please drive carefully or avoid these streets altogether for a couple of hours.
Thanks to the Brookside Business Association and all of our local merchants who keep this event going every year!
The Garmin Kansas City Marathon happens tomorrow and that means….major traffic disruptions from 7am through 2pm!
Attempt to drive at your own risk during this race..major, major delays!!!
Starting downtown and going through midtown, Westport, the Plaza and Brookside/Waldo to 75th St. It will be very, very difficult to drive in these areas during the race.
Please be aware and change your schedule accordingly!
So often in Brookside and Waldo, you’ll patronize a business that you can really feel the owner has a passion for: think of our local restaurants like Plate and Bella Napoli, or Brady and Fox; SKINKC, locally made chemical free products for your body; SOAP Refill Station creates ecofriendly cleaning products that uses recycled containers. Dave Reinert, owner of Bicycle Depot in Waldo, has that passion. His passionate hobby of repairing bikes turned into a full time business.
Bike Depot in Waldo
Dave Reinert and Bruce Homstad
Dave spent many years as a schoolteacher in public and private schools; at the same time, he spent 20 years repairing bikes out of his basement based on word of mouth referrals. Business increased drastically during the pandemic, and with a “gentle push” from his family, he decided to open his own storefront. Dave had experience working with non profit bike organizations, and stopped driving a car years ago. His brother also owns a bike shop in Minneapolis. “I wanted to do something good for the environment. I have a real love for green transportation; it’s generally quiet and good for your health. I regularly buy everything I need here in Brookside/Waldo and wanted to open my shop in the area. I live just a few blocks away! “
Bicycle Depot focuses on bike service and repair (including electric bikes) and sells bikes from State Bicycle Company and Batch Bicycles. “The quality of these products is so much better than you will find at a big box store, and the riding experience will be much better” Dave says. He also stocks some supplies like helmets and gloves. He will take bike donations and sells used ones as well. Service and repair are his focus; you can walk in and get a free assessment of the problem, the cost to repair and the general turnaround is one or two days. Longtime cyclists in the area may recognize Bruce Homstad in the shop, who worked for Family Bicycles—he’s been a certified bike technician for 30 years so you know…these guys know what they are doing when it comes to keeping your bike tuned up and ready to ride!
Bicycle Depot opened in March at 220A W 75th St; across the street from the Aldi parking lot and just east of the busy 75th and Wornall intersection. Fall weather is a perfect time to ride, and there are so many trails in our area (Dave has a map!) so stop in and get to know Dave and Bruce for your bicycle needs. They will make sure your ride is the best it can be!
It’ s happening this Saturday, September 17, starting at 10am and running until 8pm. There will be many vendor booths, a few food trucks, plenty of live music and activities for the kids.The weather forecast looks perfect!
The festival is located at Gregory and Wornall so be extra careful if you are driving in that area Saturday–watch for extra pedestrians and kids running around!
Thank you for supporting our local vendors and activities!
Every so often, you may have a need for a smaller, special gathering—perhaps a retirement party, baby shower, going away get together, intimate wedding, family reunion; or perhaps a small meeting, business brainstorming retreat or indoor photo shoot. You don’t want the restrictions and pricing of a hotel meeting room or restaurant, yet no one’s personal home is quite right. Consider East Brookside’s newest business: Cocoa Spaces, a “micro event space” that could be just what you are looking for!
Porshia Mitchell
Owner Porshia Mitchell is an electrical engineer by trade, and she always loved being the planner for her friend’s gatherings. “I love the idea of bringing people together to celebrate”, she says, and had been pondering the idea of opening up such a space for a few years. When she turned 30, she was looking for a space to celebrate with her friends and had trouble finding such a spot. Her passion project turned into a reality when Cocoa Spaces opened at the end of July. Located at 912 E 63rd St at Harrison, the event venue offers 1300 SF, equipped with a kitchenette, mobile bar, TV and sound system, tables, chairs, and a small lounge area; it is ADA accessible. Cocoa Spaces comfortably holds 50-60 people at tables or reception style. Porshia has a list of vendors you can work with for décor, music and accessories; regarding food and liquor, bring in your own or use a caterer. Parking is available in front, on the street and east of Rockhill Road. Rental prices vary depending on how long you want the space; there is a three hour minimum.
I asked Porshia how she came up with the name Cocoa Spaces. “As a black woman in the world, I’m here to take up space—I can do whatever I put my mind to!” Then she added, “And I love chocolate!” There is a real need for these “micro spaces” for various events involving friends, family or co-workers, especially with the holiday planning season coming up! Remember Cocoa Spaces the next time you are looking for a small, customizable space for a gathering. Porshia grew up nearby and wanted to be in this area—support local! Learn more about Cocoa Spaces on their website or follow them on Instagram @cocoaspaces.
It’s soooooo hot……are you desperate for something new and refreshing to send a cool chill through your skin? I’ve got a suggestion: stop in Brookside’s newest restaurant, Earl’s Premier, and enjoy a tasty frozen gin and tonic at the bar. They sell a lot of them these days, over 1800 glasses just last month!
Cory Dannehl and Todd Schulte
Come for the G&T, stay for the food! Earl’s emphasis is on very fresh seafood: start with the oyster bar, stocked by a company that represents 30 small independent oyster farms. “We are very lucky to have this connection”, explained co-owners Todd Schulte and Cory Dannehl. “They don’t supply to big chain restaurants. Our oysters are delivered three times a week, usually within 36 hours of being pulled out of the ocean”. Other popular menu items include a New Orleans-style Po’ Boy sandwich, mussels, shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, a blue crab guacamole, the Piri Piri spiced chicken plus nightly specials.
You probably heard Todd’s name associated with various restaurants in the KC area: Joe D’s Wine Bar in Brookside, the Happy Soup Eater and Happy Gillis Café in Columbus Park. Most recently he worked with Christopher Elbow. Cory supplied beer to Todd’s work spots via Central States Beverage and the two became friends. They both traveled to coastal areas and “liked that lifestyle. We wanted to bring a small, independent seafood place to Kansas City. And we wanted it to be a neighborhood place, where people can stop in, hang out, have some good seafood.” Both live in Brookside and were familiar with the former Chai Shai space, knowing it would be just right for the type of place they wanted to open.
Let’s get back to the frozen G&T and what inspired that drink: Cory and Todd were visiting Austin, and found a bar that was serving a frozen gin and tonic. Somehow they procured the recipe and purchased the machines to make the drink for Earl’s. It’s a very precise recipe and has to be mixed and chilled just right to keep the consistency of the drink. Of course they use local J Rieger and Co gin! Earl’s also has a few other signature cocktails and a large selection of beer, wine and hard liquors.
Earl’s Premier, 651 E 59th St
Earl’s Premier takes reservations and because it’s a small restaurant, tables fill up quickly. You can eat at the bar or on the patio if there is space—there are plans to install a roof and enclose the outdoor space next month for more seating. Stop in and check out Earl’s Premier—located at 651 E 59th St. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, and plan to start Sunday brunch sometime this month. The staff is friendly and welcoming—you’ll love the small neighborhood vibe of the place as well as the food!
How many times have you walked past Leopold Gallery…but didn’t stop in? Perhaps you thought “well I can’t afford anything here” or “I don’t know anything about art”. That’s what stopped me from browsing the gallery…until Paul Dorrell, President, invited me for a visit. “I’ve got a new feature to show you—come on by!”. And I did, thinking…this is a gallery, I’m not obligated to make a purchase…and I love browsing through art museums…I should have checked this place out years ago!
Paul grew up in Leawood and studied art history at KU. After a season on a fishing boat in Alaska, he worked as Assistant Director at the Hill-Stead Museum of French Impressionism in Connecticut, where he learned volumes about the art world. He moved back to Kansas City in the late 80s, met his wife Annie, and opened his gallery to primarily represent Missouri and Kansas artists. His first space was at the old Hotel Savoy, followed by a place in the Crestwood Shops. After outgrowing that space, he moved to this location on 63rd St in 2007. Leopold Gallery has over 8000 clients, and the majority of his sales are over the phone or online. You’ve probably seen works from the artists he reps at the University of Kansas Health System, Arrowhead and Kaufmann stadiums, the Prairie Village Shops, Kansas State University, Disneyworld and even in some Marvel movies! He’s also working on providing art for the new Ben Stiller comedy High Desert, coming this fall to Apple TV.
Paul Dorrell, Leopold Gallery
Inside Leopold Gallery, you’ll see a broad range of works, including abstract, landscape and conceptual art. Chances are there is something you will enjoy looking at or thinking about. Paul gives back to our community as well. He established the Leopold Gallery Educational Foundation and actively works with Sumner and Paseo Academy art programs.
So what is the new feature in the gallery?? It’s a two story slide! He wanted to install a slide a year ago, inspired by his visit to the eclectic Meow Wolf space in Santa Fe. “I want to make adults feel like kids again, and remove the intimidation that people can feel in a gallery” says Paul. He welcomes all ages to take the plunge from the first floor to the lower level. The ride is pretty slick and fast, surrounded by flashing lights all the way down… it’s fun and different and just a very welcoming feature of this space. Plus, there is no charge to enjoy the ride!
Stop in and say Hi to Paul, take a slide ride and enjoy the art the next time you are strolling by Leopold Gallery, 324 W 63rd St. Hours are 10am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 10-5 on Saturday.
Come out to support your local merchants this weekend…and pick up some hot summer deals! The Brookside Sidewalk Sale is happening Thurs/Fri/and Sat, July 7-9, 2022.
Browse the shops along 63rd St and find a little something for yourself or a special friend. You’ll find discounts and sales a plenty! And remember to take a break by grabbing a beverage or meal at one of Brookside’s fine restaurants and eateries.
The Shred Event is also happening on Saturday July 10, starting at 8am in the parking lot behind Jalapeno’s. More info here!.
Here’s yet another unique, friendly, locally owned business you should know about in Waldo: PKTC Collectables at 218 W 74th St. The name of the shop says it all: owners Scott Saunders and Dione Woods sell collectibles of all kinds: sports jerseys, comics, action figures, trading cards, posters, Funko Pops and a lot more!
Scott and Dione have been friends for over 20 years. Both are into collectibles: Scott had sports memorabilia and Dione collected comic books and action figures. The pair was celebrating Scott’s birthday in Las Vegas and were talking about collectible shops—how they usually sold “only comics” or “only sports stuff”; they wondered, why not sell everything in the same place? After scouting the metro area for a suitable location, a friend who owns this building offered them a spot. PKTC Collectables opened April 5.
Scott Saunders and Dione Woods
“We love the neighborhood”, Scott says. “We have awesome neighbors, everyone is so friendly and we got a big welcome from the Waldo Business Association. Nearby business owners have come by to introduce themselves.” Dione continued: “We get a lot of foot traffic in this location—especially the kids walking home from school or just out and about. We cater to the young collectors by offering lower priced cards for them, chatting with them—we even offer a free pack of cards to kids who bring in a report card with a 3.0 or higher grade point average”. They also have special promotions for adults: for example, to celebrate Father’s Day, wear an ugly tie and stop by for a free doughnut. Women are a big part of their customer base as well: the signed Travis Kelsey jersey is the #1 seller for the ladies!
The shop features action figures, cards, sports shirts, framed posters and Funko Pops.
Store merchandise comes from their own personal collections and what they can find on Facebook, at garage/collector sales and Ebay. If there is a particular collectible you are looking for, they will try to find it for you. This is a really fun store to browse in—Scott and Dione offer all kinds of interesting merchandise, at all price ranges. They love to talk shop and know the collectible market very well. They will accept consignments as well. Stop in to say hi to the guys: hours are 10am-7pm Tuesday through Friday and 11am-6pm Saturday and Sunday. Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages too. Welcome to Waldo, PKTC Collectables!
Check out this photo–Brookside as it looked over 100 years ago! Women wore long, dark heavy clothes and the men wore hats..electricity was not all that common and Brookside was considered to be so far away from downtown!
Here’s your chance to learn about Brookside and how it began as part of the Wornall family farm. The Wornall House is sponsoring the event on Saturday June 4 from 10am-4pm. You’ll walk through neighborhoods and the commercial district, learning all about how Brookside got started..and how much it’s changed through the years. (Still a beloved, treasured neighborhood of course!). After the tour, stick around the Wornall House for the Buds and Suds reception at 4pm, outside in the new Learning Landscape.
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 