Brookside Farmers’ Market-Peaking Now!

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

On Saturday I made a trip to the Brookside Farmers’ Market. At the opening time of 8am, it was hot, sticky….and busy!

Most of the booths offered fresh vegetables: lettuces, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, squash blossoms, cucumbers, kale, herbs, flowers, etc. It all looked delicious and so fresh! The only fruit I saw was peaches and berries. There was one booth selling bison, beef, pork and duck eggs. There was a non-stop line in the Ibis Bakery booth.

The Brookside Farmers’ Market features vendors that travel less than 100 miles and offer “organic and non-GMO food” (a description of those terms are explained on the website). Buying organic pushes prices up (a pint of blackberries was $6; a small bunch of carrots priced at $3). When you purchase at the market, you are speaking with and buying from directly from the folks who grow and raise what they sell. Despite the higher pricing, these folks aren’t making the big bucks–it takes so much time, dedication and grit to grow sustainably, and then figuring in the travel costs, plus the whims of Mother Nature’s weather patterns. But these people love what they do; they are driven by passion and commitment. Often your sale will be made by a youngster helping out her folks or a multi-tasking parent with an infant slung around his chest.

This Saturday, July 16, 2016, the market will feature live music from 9am-1pm; vendors start selling at 8am. This is peak time for fresh, locally grown produce so plan a stop to the Brookside Farmers’ Market soon!

bside herbs

Brookside Side Walk Sale This Weekend

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Like to shop in Brookside? Who doesn’t ?? So many unique, locally owned shops with great customer service!

side-walk-sale This Thursday through Sunday, July 7-10, 2016 is the annual Brookside Side Walk Sale. Stop by and check out the bargains at your favorite stores…and browse some new shops as well! Many merchants are open until 8pm on Thursday evenings. Make a day of it and enjoy a meal or snack while you are picking up some sale stuff.

Explore the Brookside Side Walk Sale this weekend…along 63rd St east and west of Brookside Blvd. Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses!

Armour Hills May 2016 Home Sales Stats

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Armour Hills….one of the best subdivisions in Brookside! Of course, I am a bit partial because I live in Armour Hills. However, check out these home sales stats for May 2016–buyers are snapping up homes here in a hot market that favors sellers:

May 2016: May 2015:

Median list price: $289,900 Median list price: $256,900

Median sales price: $291,000 Median sales price: $262,000

Number of homes sold: 9 Number of homes sold: 11

Days on market: 33 Days on market: 36

That’s correct, many of the homes sold for over the list price! (one home sold for $8000 over asking price). Out of the nine homes that sold last month, five sold over the list price, two right at asking price.

Checking year to date figures:

2016, Jan-May: 2015, Jan-May:

Median list price: $269,000 Median list price: $260,000

Median sales price: $267,000 Median sales price: $262,000

Number of homes sold: 27 Number of homes sold: 35

Although fewer homes are selling…that is due to lack of inventory. There is plenty of demand. Currently there are 4 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $284,925 and seventeen days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Report – May 2016

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

We are in the peak of Spring home buying season…demand is still very strong for our Brookside neighborhood. Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year:

May 2016

Median list price: $364,500

Median sales price: $360,500

Average days on market: 43

Number of homes sold: 37

(Lowest sales price was $182,000; highest sales price was $1.275 million.)

May 2015:

Median list price: $322,500

Median sales price: $312,500

Average days on market: 29

Number of homes sold: 46

Now let’s check year to date figures:

2016

Median list price: $373,750

Median sales price: $367,950

124 homes sold; average 41 days on market

2015

Median list price: $325,000

Median sales price: $319,250

118 homes sold; average 41 days on market

Comparing the year to date median sales prices, Brookside homes are selling for 15% more than last year. Wow. Do keep in mind that the numbers can be skewered somewhat each month depending if more lower priced homes sell (under $500K) or higher (over $500K and over $1,000,000). Our zip code has a wide range of home prices, depending on size, location, updating. However, the important point is that homes are gaining value, and buyers know that Brookside is a desirable place to live!

Currently, there are 46 active single family home listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113. The median list price is $687,000..because just seventeen of those homes are priced under $500K; ten are priced over $1 million. (All figures taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

New Ice Cream Shop in Waldo – Betty Rae’s

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

It’s ice cream season! And our neighborhood is buzzing about Waldo’s newest ice cream shop, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream. So far, business has exceeded owner David Friesen’s expectations. He is serving such a high quality product–you will probably be making several trips there this summer as well!

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream offers fresh, cool treats, made with real flavors right in the shop!

Yep, it’s all homemade right here in the shop: all the sauces (fudge, peanut butter, marshmallow, etc); the cakes, brownies and cookies (David has an extensive baking background) ; the waffle cones and of course the ice cream itself. Twenty four delicious flavors, ranging from the usual vanilla bean to the more exotic lavender honey (a flavor David created with his wife). Friesen uses real flavors, not extracts or oils. For example — the lavender honey flavor starts with David using real flowers, steeped in hot cream. The root beer flavor uses the actual raw ingredients to create the root beer flavor. He is meticulous about quality control — and you can really taste the difference. He makes up to 7 batches of ice cream per day, five gallons each batch. Most of his 12-16 hour days are spent doing prep work preparing the ingredients — once in the special superfast machine, the product freezes in 5-10 minutes. There are a couple of non-dairy and vegan options available as well and coming this summer: cocktail size shakes with liquor!

David Friesen, owner Betty Rae’s Ice Cream

This is David’s first small business, and I asked him what has surprised him most since he opened. He said “after all the years of planning, getting the place ready, developing the flavors and product–now that we are open, it all works properly!”. He is grateful for the strong response from the area: so many families and kids walking in the neighborhood, stopping in for treats. All of his hard work is paying off as business has been terrific so far.

Try Betty Rae’s Ice Cream soon–it’s located at 7140 Wornall. Hours are 11am-8pm, Sunday through Thursday; open until 10:00pm Friday and Saturday.

Waldo Crawldo Happens Sat 6/11/16

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

It’s time for that crazy and fun annual event, the Waldo Crawldo! It’s happening this Saturday June 11, 2016 in the heart of Waldo from 8pm-midnight.

This year’s theme is Superheroes and Villains–so do dress up! Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Of course there are drink specials at each spot–ten bars are participating, including Lew’s Bar and Grill, Quinton’s Waldo Bar, Tanner’s Bar and Grill and the Waldo Pizza Tap Room. Thank you, locally owned businesses, for hosting this event!

Please drink responsibly and remember, bars are within walking distance! Tickets in advance are less than at the door…here’s the info page: www.waldocrawldo.com

New Patio Open at Bier Station

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

New Patio at Bier Station in Brookside

The new expanded patio is open at Bier Station!

I remember back in December 2012 when John Couture opened Bier Station in Armour Hills at 120 E Gregory . He was one of the pioneers of the specialty brew shop–and now there are almost too many to count in the KC area. Bier Station is Brookside’s “Cheers” bar…friendly staff who know who you are and love talking about the beer offerings they have for sale.

New Food Options at Bier Station

There are some other changes at Bier Station besides the patio: more food on the menu, including smoked wings, sliders, flatbreads, soups, and new sandwiches. John and his kitchen staff are currently testing new items such as seasonal salads and vegetables, and a few sweet treats. Whatever goes over well with the customers (they want feedback!) will make it to the menu.

Also coming soon is a new ordering app called “Meagan”, which will allow customers to order food and beer from their tables in the bar that will be delivered by bar staff.

More about the patio…it will feature a rain proof awning, electric heat lamps, more seating and more dog hooks. A perfect place for sipping a brew, noshing on tasty food and visiting with friends. Stop by and enjoy one of our warm spring evenings on the new Bier Station patio!

Brookside Farmers’ Market Opens Saturday 4/16/16

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Mother Nature and our local farmers are preparing for another spring and summer full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. I’m getting hungry just writing about it! The Brookside Farmers’ Market focuses on organic produce, dairy and meats, as well as homemade baked goods, with some crafts, soaps,and other items for sale. The atmosphere is family friendly, festive and often features live music. The market opens at 8am on Saturday April 16, at 63rd St and Wornall Road.

The Waldo’s Farmer’s Market at 303 W 79th St , now in it’s sixth year, will open May 4 from 3-7pm. Here you will find fresh veggies, herbs, baked goods, ice cream, nuts and many other interesting locally produced items for sale. Both market accept SNAP dollars.

Remember to bring bags to carry your purchases!

Golden and Pine Grand Opening Saturday in Brookside East

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Let’s welcome a new business to the growing Brookside East neighborhood…Golden and Pine. This is a handmade home and garden goods store, having it’s Grand Opening Saturday March 19, 2016 from 1-5pm at 633 E 63rd St (south side of E 63rd, across from the new apartment construction).

Stephanie Agne, Owner Golden and Pine

Owner Stephanie Agne was a dietician for several years yet home decor was her passion. She worked for a while at a home store boutique in Maine, and when she and her husband moved back to hometown Kansas City, it was time to open her own place. After looking at various KC locations, she decided on Brookside East. She wanted a place with ‘good light’ and was excited about what was happening in the area. She found Butch Rigby’s vision ‘inspiring’ and signed a lease in one of his recently purchased buildings.

Golden and Pine has a warm and modern feel, with products made of natural materials like wood, cork and cotton. Stephanie knows the origin of each product she sells; most are unique to her shop and almost all are hand made. (You’ll find a story card beside each product.) Items for sale include some furniture, pillows, candles, soap, lotions, garden items, napkins, books–the perfect place to browse and find something to freshen up your home!

If you can’t stop by the Grand Opening on Saturday–come by during her regular business hours of Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm. I’m excited about yet another unique, locally owned business opening in Brookside!

Brookside Home Sales Report – Feb 2016

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

What a beautiful day as I write this blog! The trees are flowering all over Brookside–hope we don’t get a cold snap…we are now accustomed used to 60 and 70 degree days!

Checking Brookside home sales for February 2016, I am going to write up the stats in a different format this time–thought it would be easier to read. Take a look:

February 2016

Median list price: $409,000

Median sales price: $399,000

Average days on market: 89

Number of homes sold: 15

(lowest sales price was $213,000; highest sales price was $822,000)

February 2015:

Median list price: $422,000

Median sales price: $397,500

Average days on market: 88

Number of homes sold: 13

(Note the number of homes sold and median sales price are very similar to 2015.)

Now let’s check year to date figures:

2016: 2015:

Median list price: $389,950 Median list price: $374,975

Median sales price: $382,000 Median sales price: $367,500

Average days on market: 57 Average days on market: 84

Number of homes sold: 23 Number of homes sold: 22

The big difference in the YTD figures is the median sales price jumped up–yet virtually the same number of homes sold. Also, homes went under contract faster. There is not much inventory this year in the critical $200-$400K price range and so, prices are up.

Currently, there are 46 active listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113. The median list price is $537,000. That figure is high because 1) the lower priced listed homes sell very fast and 2) 25 of the 46 homes are priced over $500K; 10 of those are over $1,000,000.

It’s going to be a strong season for home buying in Brookside this Spring!