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?

The Waldo home sales stats for the month of May are in, and there was a surprising drop in prices compared to May 2023. Yet most buyers are still paying list price or above. Let’s take a look at the specifics; I’m using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St for the numbers, single family homes.

Home prices dropped by 17% compared to last year, and fewer homes sold. One explanation could be more of the smaller, lower priced homes closed last month compared to a year ago; also the higher interest rates have shrunk the buyer pool. The lowest closed price last month was $85,000 and the highest was a new build on the 7600 block of Main at $675,000. Here are the year-to-date numbers:

For the year, Waldo home values are up 5.5%–a healthy increase. Homes are still selling quickly even though fewer are changing owners. Currently there are 22 single family homes for sale in Waldo–that seems like quite a few! The lowest priced home is $200K and the highest is $669K–the second new build on the 7600 block of Main St.

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

Before I became a Realtor, I worked at Visit KC, which was then known as the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Kansas City. I worked with meeting planners who brought large conventions to town: touring hotels and special venue places, helping them maneuver red tape at City Hall, connecting them with caterers and transportation options, etc. Often it was local members of associations who encouraged and influenced the larger organization to meet up here in the heart of the country.

For much of that time, Kansas City’s reputation was somewhat …blah.  We were always competing with the bigger Midwest cities that had more of a snazzy, national reputation, like Indianapolis or St Louis or Chicago. Meeting planners were hesitant to pick KC as a meeting site because attendees might think “what is there to do in Kansas City except eat barbecue?” and not make the trip. Oh, but I LOVED showing off the city and changing people’s minds once they got here.

Over the years that changed, as KC expanded the Convention Center, built the Power and Light district, added the streetcar and more hotels, refurbished Union Station and the Crossroads area bloomed with local art galleries, restaurants, event venues. Slowly our reputation grew as a “great place to visit”, highlighted in national publications and via word of mouth. We opened a new airport. We had continuous national exposure via our sports teams, especially as the Chiefs were on the rise to the top. We hosted the NFL Draft last year. We were chosen to host games in the 2026 World Cup. We are building CPKC Stadium, the first women’s professional sports venue. The unique Rock Island Bridge is under construction. The streetcar is expanding.  As a Realtor, I can tell you that every one of my clients who has moved to the area from other “snazzy” cities–absolutely loves living here. We seem to have it all, without the sky high housing prices of larger cities.

So as I watched the parade yesterday, I teared up several times, so moved by the pride and joy of the thousands of people who turned out to show their appreciation for our Superbowl champions. We looked fantastic! Once again, the national spotlight was on Kansas City. The players were freely mingling with the crowds, literally dancing in the streets as they high fived fans and signed autographs. It was a friendly, family event and all were welcome. Then: confusion, silence, and that sick feeling of yet another mass shooting. In our city.

This is the part of the blog where I will hold back my rant against the lack of significant gun laws in the nation.

I’m not even sure why I’m writing this blog. I think I just felt the need to express how I’ve seen Kansas City’s image change for the better over the past several years, and how much I love living here. What happened yesterday won’t change that.

The main shopping area of Brookside will be filled with hundreds of trick or treaters later today from 4-6pm. Expect slow traffic and lots of pedestrians along 63rd St from Wornall to Main St. You’ll see some very creative costumes! Thanks to our Brookside merchants for carrying on this tradition!

So it looks like Waldo home values have slumped a bit compared to last year–understandable for a couple of reasons: the higher interest rates have knocked out some traditional first time buyers who flock to Waldo for a starter home and fewer buyers are bidding up prices. Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Last month the list price and sales price were virtually the same, yet the sales price was down 7% from May 2022. The lowest closed price was $165,000 and the highest was $539,000. Here are the year-to-date numbers:

Checking out these stats, you can see that prices haven’t risen that much compared to last year-just 1.5% and fewer homes have closed. There is still a lack of inventory and the higher interest rates have had an effect on sales. Still we are in peak buying season through the warmer months–I’ll have the mid year report next month! Currently there are 9 homes for sale in Waldo, with a median price of $359,000 and 11 days on the market.

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