Waldo Fall Festival Happening Sat 9/15/18

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

September is full of outdoor festivals in the KC area, and one of the most family friendly is the Waldo Fall Festival, happening this Saturday, Sept 15, 2018 at the southeast corner of 75th and Wornall in the parking lot, from 10am-5pm.

Now in it’s 26th year, the Waldo Fall Festival is a celebration of the wonderful, eclectic Waldo neighborhood: lots of local music playing throughout the day, local vendor booths, food trucks, rides and games for the kids and …no admission charge! It’s a fun time for all ages.

Because the intersection of 75th and Wornall is usually heavily congested with cars during a normal day…on Sept 15 it will be even more challenging to work around. Bike or walk to the festivities (take the Trolley Track Trail!) — or if you drive, park a few blocks away. Be extra aware of more foot traffic around the stoplights here and watch for little kids, bikes, scooters, etc.

Celebrate cooler weather, visit with neighbors and friends at the Waldo Fall Festival this Saturday!

Flying Horse Taproom-Now Open in Brookside East

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Another locally owned and operated business recently opened in Brookside East–Flying Horse Taproom at 600 E 63rd St. I stopped by recently and talked with General Manager Philip Nixon. The food looked so good I came back for dinner later that evening!

Here’s the scoop on the bar and what’s on tap: twenty-one craft beers, seven wines (that will rotate), Second Best Coffee Cold Brew and Lucky Elixir Kombucha. Coming soon: unique “oak barrel conditioned” cocktails. I tried two drinks: the Cucumber Ginger Lemonade and Strawberry Basil Gin. Delicious and refreshing! Nixon emphasized they support locally based purveyors, including Restless Spirits Distilling Co, Tom’s Town, Second Best Coffee and Glace Ice Cream (Nixon is working with Brewery Emperial and Glace for a special beer inspired flavor).

Philip Nixon, General Manager

As for the food…there are a couple of unique options on the appetizer menu, including the popular Beer Mug Pretzel from Pretzel Boys, ‘Nduja Dip (prosciutto, spices, peppers mixed with goat and cream cheeses) and Cheese Curds. There are several salad options featuring homemade dressings. And the flatbreads…with fresh ingredients and house made red sauce. We tried the Four Cheese Sausage Kale and The Classic; other options include Brookside Brie, the Cubano and a Thai Chicken Basil. For lighter appetites–it’s easy to fill up sharing a salad and flatbread.

Longtime Brooksiders may remember this spot at a Mobil gas station; current owner Trey Sabates (who owns Brookside Wine and Spirits next door), had the old tanks removed, teamed up with some friends and turned the station into the restaurant with a cozy patio in front. Inside, there is a full bar, several tables and artwork from Sabates private collection on the walls. Nixon has an extensive background in food service and trains the staff well–our waiter was sincere, friendly and attentive.

The Flying Horse Taproom is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-11pm and Sunday from 11am-9pm. Happy hour features $1 off all menu items and food is available to go. Stop by and welcome Philip and the staff to the neighborhood!

Waldo’s Euston Hardware is Remodeling

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

A longtime Kansas City local business, Euston Hardware store has been around since 1999. With four locations, including Prairie Village, Smithville, Red Bridge, and Waldo, owner Kevin Euston (son of founder Ken) has been providing the Kansas City area with hardware supplies for almost 20 years. The Waldo store, at 126 W 75th St is currently undergoing a remodel…and still open for business while they are working on it.

Euston says it’s important to “freshen up the inventory” after a while, as hardware changes and newer offerings become available. The store recently updated the exterior, and it has a stylish retro vibe now, thanks to the art deco style building that used to be an A&P market. Inside, the store will feature taller and longer shelves, new lighting, and over 5000 new items including more tools, a bigger fastener department, lawn items and cleaning supplies. The check out area has moved as well, to the east side of the shop.

I stop in the Waldo Euston store often–to get keys made or pick up my favorite hardwood floor cleaner and stain remover. The staff is always friendly and asks “Can I help you find something?” when I walk in–very important as I certainly don’t know the location of over 5000 items! Watch for a grand ‘reopening’ within the next few weeks after the project is complete.

Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Brookside Market Days Begin Saturday

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

For the second year in a row, the Brookside Business Association is sponsoring Brookside Market Days, every Saturday in August…kicking off this Saturday Aug 4, 2018.

Start your day at the Brookside Farmers Market, then visit various shops for special events. For example, the New Dime Store is featuring pop up shops, beginning with Betsy Roo handmade greeting cards and prints this Saturday, followed by Willett Studios (handmade earrings) and Gypsee KC (woodburning art) on successive weekends. COCO also has pop up events; Worlds Window is featuring Shibori dyeing, Charlie Hoopers will offer $1.50 hot dogs!

In addition, buy a $10 Brookside Market Days reusable totebag (available at the market and New Dime Store) for extra discounts at places like Roasterie, Fiddly Fig, 5B & Co Candlemakers, Design in the City, Brookside Barkery and Worlds Window.

Live local! Support Brookside businesses and participate in Brookside Market Days–every Saturday in August. More details at www.brooksidekc.org.

Brookside East Welcomes New Businesses

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

The Brookside East area continues to grow, with more businesses on the way! Developer Butch Rigby recently finished adding a second story on to 633 E 63^rd St and has several new tenants lined up for the building:

New Strong and Counseling Services LLC – counseling

Wize Webz – advertising/web marketing office

Architexture Salon – hair salon

Vijay Home – home furnishings shop/design studio/showroom (Sept opening)

This building is already home to several thriving businesses, including BKS Artisan Ales, Can I Have A Bite?, and Farm Dog Studios.

Rigby is also renovating additional buildings along E 63^rd St, and is now working on 701 and 751 E 63^rd St. The updates will feature a mid-century modern theme, with green and brown tones and rustic wood; new glass exterior and new plumbing and HVAC. He’s hoping for more retail and restaurant space here along with office tenants, with a focus on locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you haven’t been on 63rd St east of Oak lately–take a trip! Thanks to Butch Rigby, many new businesses and eateries to explore!

Brookside Home Sales Stats-June 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

We are halfway through the year and Brookside home sales continue to be very strong, especially in the under $500K price range. Inventory is generally lower than last year. Here is the single family home sales report for last month, and a YTD comparison for the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

June 2018 June 2017

Median list price: $410,000 Median list price: $372,000

Median sales price: $395,000 Median sales price: $367,500

No. of homes sold: 39 No. of homes sold: 40

Days on market: 19 Days on market: 20

The lowest closed sales price last month was $165,375 and the highest was $1.2 million.

Below is year-to-date comparisons:

Jan-June 2018 Jan-June 2017

Median list price: $399,900 Median list price: $375,000

Median sales price: $390,000 Median sales price: $360,000

No. of homes sold: 141 No. of homes sold: 157

Days on market: 14 Days on market: 20

The lowest sales price so far in 2018 was $168,500 and the highest was $1.6 million. Median home prices are up 8% compared to last year! Will prices drop the second half of the year, when sales traditionally slow down? Watch this space for the monthly numbers!

Currently there are 61 active single family home listings in Brookside, with half of those priced over $500K; nine listings over $1million. Median price is $565,000 and 39 days on market.

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

Brookside’s Sidewalk Sale Starts Today!

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

The annual Brookside Sidewalk Sale starts Friday July 6, through Sunday July 11, 2018.

Stroll along the 63rd St sidewalks and browse the bargains…many merchants set up items just outside their doors, with more sale items inside the cool air conditioned stores. I always find great deals during the sidewalk sale…it’s worth the trip! You’ll find discounts on various merchandise from 40-75%!

Also happening on Saturday–the Shred It for area residents. From 8am-11am, bring papers for shredding (up to two boxes per person) to the parking lot behind Jalepeno’s for safe and secure shredded disposal of documents and various personal papers.

Thank you for supporting local Brookside businesses! It seems like summer is passing so quickly…..

Classic Cookie Now Open For Dinner

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

One of Waldo’s best breakfast and lunch spots–The Classic Cookie–is now open for dinner! The Italian themed menu is served Thursday through Saturday, 5-10pm.

Local owner Leslie Stockard started the business in 1998. The daytime menu features the famous cookies of course, plus simple breakfast favorites like pancakes and biscuits and gravy; for lunch, there’s simple sandwiches, soups and salads. The food tastes like your Mom made it just for you!

I haven’t stopped by to try the dinner menu but it sounds delicious: several starters, like meatballs, mushroom turnovers and a Tuscan bean dip. There are soups and salad, plus several main courses including pastas, Parmesan chicken and meatloaf..plus beer and wine. Gluten free pasta is available along with many vegetarian options. Finally…there are a few desserts!

Stop in and try the new dinner menu the locally owned and operated The Classic Cookie, 409 W Gregory in Waldo.

Legendary KC Small Shop Closing Soon

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

sheehans store

After 33 years of serving Kansas City residents, Sheehan’s Irish Imports is closing at the end of the month. It’s current location is on the border of Brookside and Waldo, at 410 E Gregory.

Sheehan’s Irish Imports is one of those classic, family owned small businesses. Daughter Katy Sheehan told me her mother Peggy started selling Irish products as a hobby out of her home in 1985. As the business grew, Pryde’s offered her a space in the corner of their building in Westport. The next move was to a larger, free standing store at 1412 Westport Road, then a final move to the Brookside/Waldo location in 2015. Katy and her sister Molly have operated the store for the past several years.

sheehans katy Like every other retail business, Sheehan’s has been affected by globalism and online sales. Katy says “these days, you can find Irish products everywhere”–for example, the popular Inis perfume they carried can now be ordered through Amazon or found in various other local tourist shops. Katy and Molly enjoyed running the store, getting to know customers, promoting Irish products and offering excellent client service. Now it’s time for a new adventure, as Katy says one of her goals in retirement is to visit every U.S. national park.

From now until closing June 30, 2018, everything on the store is on sale — 40% off. You can browse through Irish CDs, religious items, baby clothes, keychains, jewelry, hats, caps and of course, warm Irish sweaters (this winter, you’ll appreciate that bargain sweater bought on a 90 degree day!). Thanks to the Sheehan family for their decades of serving KC residents! And as a final note, Katy told me KC Needlepoint is moving from 105 E Gregory into this space.

sheehan peggy

Edible Cookie Dough Shop Opens in Brookside

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Who doesn’t like to sneak spoonfuls of cookie dough when all the ingredients are mixed together in the bowl? Now your cravings can be satisfied with a visit to the new Sweet and Simple shop in Brookside. It’s a store with various flavors of safe-to-eat cookie dough…what a concept!

sweet and simple front

When I stopped by recently to check out the place, the manager explained edible cookie dough is a new concept for the Midwest– it’s already popular in California and New York. All flavors are made in house, followed by a cooking and chilling process. There is a “signature” flavor, which tastes like a basic vanilla flavored dough; other options include Birthday Cake, S’Mores, Finding Dory, Mint and Chocolate Bliss. Of course there are many, many toppings you can add (crackers, pretzels, nuts, sprinkles, candy, etc–.25 each) and the flavored drizzle squirts are free. One scoop is $5, two for $7.50.

Sweet and Simple also makes smoothies and milk tea (bubble tea) with several flavor choices–and some unusual ones, like white gourd, tamarind, and lycee. Local owner Diana Dang also owns BKS Nails in Brookside. She wanted to be in Brookside for this second business because of the neighborhood vibe, the friendliness of the people and how they support “mom and pop” shops and stores.

This bright, clean store has some indoor seating and a few games for kids–Scrabble and Connect 4, which is a nice touch…interactive play instead of screens! Hours are Monday – Thursday 10:30am-8:30pm; Friday and Saturday 10:30am-9:30pm and Sunday noon-7. Sweet and Simple is located at 326 W 63rd St, in part of the former Reading Reptile space. Stop by, enjoy a treat and welcome another new local business to Brookside!

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

Category Archives: Brookside Community News