Summer is peak season for farmers’ markets and local Brookside/Waldo residents have two markets to support! The Brookside Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday morning in the parking lot at HJ’s Community Center. Also keep in mind the Waldo Market, which is open every other Saturday:
This is a smaller market, with a wide variety of items for purchase…in addition to vendors offering fruits and vegetables, other items can include doggie treats, spices, coffee, snacks and baked goods. If you haven’t been to the Waldo market yet…it will be open this Saturday June 20 at 7850 Holmes.
Thank you for supporting local businesses. They are what make our neighborhood thrive!
There are special celebrations planned all over the city the next several weeks, as we welcome visitors from here, there and everywhere coming to KC for World Cup games. From Lawrence to Lenexa to Lees Summit–communities are setting up special watch parties and get togethers for residents. Waldo has four free events planned for the community so … note these dates on your calendar!
On each Wednesday from 4-7pm (note: none of these dates are game days), stroll over to the parking lot in front of Waldo Pizza at 75th and Wornall for a soccer celebration! With a special theme planned for every Wednesday, each event will be a little different. There will be live music, activities for kids, special commemorative merch to purchase and pop up vendors.
Come and celebrate this international sporting event with your friends and neighbors during Soccer in the City….in Waldo!
This blog is going to be a little different, but still highlighting a new local business. The Shoreline Market + Cafe is not a storefront in Waldo, but the owners are Waldo residents!
Amy and Sameer Saleh
Amy and Sameer Saleh have lived in Waldo for the past two years. His mom’s side of the family grew up in Kansas City and Sameer grew up a Chiefs fan living in California. After caring for family out west, they decided to move back to the area and raise their two children here. Amy has been baking sourdough bread for many years and in 2025, they started Walnut Date Bakery out of their Waldo home. As so many side hustles do, the business kept growing and the couple decided there was a larger market for their “health forward” baked goods. The couple recently rebranded as Shoreline Market + Cafe, a nod to their years in California.
Besides selling a variety of freshly baked breads, Amy and Sameer make their own cream cheese and butter, nut milks, kale chips, sourdough bowls, bagels and doughnuts. That’s a lot of options!!! Sameer says “95-98% of the ingredients we use are organic. We don’t use any refined white sugar and naturally sweeten the dough with dates, agave and maple syrup”. Two of the more popular items are the sourdough doughnuts fried in olive oil, and the various flavors of focaccia , using in season ingredients like asparagus and tomatoes.
Where can you buy these tasty treats? The business grew so fast, they no longer operate out of their Waldo kitchen. Look for Shoreline Market + Cafe at the Overland Park Farmer’s Market, every Saturday. For photos of the tasty treats and more info, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Are you starting to think about making plans for the weekend? Here’s a suggestion– take the Waldo Brews Tour! This event was so popular last year, the Waldo business association planned another one for 2026.
This is a hop on/ hop off tour, stopping at various beverage shops and bars in the Waldo area…. a tea shop, coffee cafes and bars, each with it’s own unique vibe and drink specials for the day. The $20 ticket includes a commemorative tee shirt, koozie, and transportation to each stop. You can purchase tickets now or the day of the event: check in happens from noon-3 Saturday June 6 at City Barrel Pizza+Patio on Gregory. Kick off your tour at noon or …start a little later in the day; buses run until 6pm.
Thank you for supporting our locally owned Waldo merchants!
Waldo has a new healthy breakfast/lunch spot I am excited to tell you about! We seem to have plenty of fast food options in the neighborhood…fewer fresh, made to order, budget friendly options. Safi Fresh will satisfy this craving!
LaRonda LaNear
President and Founder LaRonda LaNear started her catering company, We Got It Covered, in 2017. She has always enjoyed cooking and turned it into a career, specializing in catering for corporations and office parties. A few years later, she decided to try for a food spot at the new KCI airport and opened the first Safi Fresh there next to the children’s play area and across from Stockyards Brewing. Airport visitors appreciate the option of having locally based, quick and fresh portable meals so…LaRonda decided to bring her concept to Waldo.
Safi Fresh (safi means pure or fresh in Arabic and Swahili) offers smoothies, salads, bowls and wraps for breakfast and lunch–vegetarian and gluten free options too. Two of the most popular items include the Jamm’n Salmon and Chicken Avocado wrap; prices range from $12-$16– very reasonable for the fresh items and portion sizes. Safi Fresh also has a rotating lunch special every week: a wrap or bowl with chips for $13.
LaRonda says she’s “always been a gym rat” and interested in “a better way of eating”. Her slogan Eat In Colors is fitting–her food is full of vegetables, beans, fruit and proteins–all the healthy items you want to eat…but don’t always have the time to make at home! She chose Waldo for her storefront because her landlords are fair and supportive of her business–Safi Fresh is located in the same building as another locally owned Waldo establishment: Emilie’s French Teas at 8131 Wornall. LaRonda also shared with me the exciting news that she will open a 6 month Safi Fresh pop up for the World Cup festivities in the 18th and Vine area at 1512 E. 18th St, featuring some exclusive food items. “There will be an onsite bar and TVs. I want to create an experience highlighting the history of Kansas City for locals and visitors” . Thiswoman is growing a small empire!!
You’ll find Safi Fresh at 8133 Wornall on the south end of the building; park on W 81st Terrace. This is a small storefront with a few stools if you want to eat in–most diners pick up and go. Hours are Monday through Friday 10am-3pm; Saturdays from 9am-3pm. Follow Safi Fresh on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and check out their menu here.
The CCVI Trolley Run is happening this Sunday April 26, and several streets will be closed to traffic all morning. Specifically, participants will be using Brookside Blvd from the Plaza through Meyer; parts of Gregory and Wornall will also be closed. Plan accordingly!
During all the years I’ve been writing this blog, the focus has been on newly opened local businesses, restaurants and events. This is the first time I’ve ever written about a new daycare opening in our neighborhood! And if you are a parent, you know there is a shortage of these facilities all over the country.
Sara Marin Gimenez and Amanda Korolchuk
So I recently stopped by Tierra Encantada (it means “enchanted land”), a Spanish immersion child care and preschool center, at 114 E Gregory in Brookside. Tierra Encantada is a national brand of corporate and franchise centers, and this particular location is corporate owned. I spoke with Sara Marin Gimenez, the Center Director, and Amanda Korolchuk, District Manager, during my visit. This location has been open since February 2026, and accepts infants, toddlers, pre school and pre K children. All teachers are fully bilingual or native Spanish speakers. Children are immersed in Spanish from their first day here, while infants learn sign language while developing the foundation for learning two languages. Sara says it’s amazing how quickly the young minds adapt to a second language. “They pick it up very quickly, and it’s easier to learn at this younger age because of the constant repetition of words and phrases”.
Every classroom has one lead teacher (who has a Child Development Associates Degree) and one assistant. Tierra Encantada follows a “play based STEAM curriculum”, with teacher-led activities (involving writing, math, science, music, art etc) and free play. Educators also help children learn social-emotional skills and equip kids with calm thinking in a safe environment, encouraging children to express their feelings.
One of the unique features of the school is the meal program. There is a trained chef on site who prepares meals fresh each day using mostly globally inspired ingredients. The food isn’t just warmed up! Sample menu items include pumpkin pancakes, yogurt with granola, hummus and vegetables, jambalaya, Asian stir fry, burritos, beans and rice–there is a lot of variety! Vegans and vegetarians are accommodated as well. The second unique feature parents may appreciate are no screens for the kids!
Physical play is important too, and behind the school there are two fenced play areas with slides and climbing equipment. Occasionally a special guest will come to the center, hosting soccer play or presenting a specific educational topic.
Tierra Encantada is open Monday through Friday from 7am-5:30pm, and accepts children from six months to 6 years old. Contact the facility directly to schedule a tour if you are interested!
One of Kansas City’s premier floral shops recently relocated to Waldo…welcome Studio Dan Meiners Floral and Events at 7432 Wornall! You may remember Dave Smith The Lampmaker was in this spot for over 50 years, closing in January 2020. This space has been remodeled and refreshed, and the friendly staff is ready to meet you and serve their new neighborhood.
Dan Meiners started his floral business many years ago, selling stems from the back of his car. He’s retired now, after growing the business over the years into a multi faceted company. Sure, you can walk in and grab a fresh bouquet or order a delivery, but Studio Dan Meiners does so much more. The staff will help you plan large and small events: special occasions like weddings, showers, anniversaries, corporate and private parties. Working with you on the theme of the event, they will design and oversee every detail: arranging for tables, chairs, linens, glassware, music, food, photography as well as all the flower decor. Gale Nation, one of the managers, explained the reason for the move from their former space on West Pennway near Union Station: “ We wanted a retail space in addition to our production space, and wanted to be in a walkable, friendly area. We looked at several spaces and after seeing this one, and it made sense to move here to Wornall and Waldo”.
Jennifer Freimains, Justin McGuire
Because Studio Dan Meiners is known for its stunning floral displays, I wanted to spend some time talking to head floral designer Justin McGuire. He’s been with the company for 25 years, starting off doing arrangements and now overseeing every floral order and design. What is Justin’s biggest challenge in this business? “Weddings” he replied, “Getting the flowers in, ordering them on time and keeping them fresh and in peak condition until the big day. Sometimes we may have to make adjustments at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. It’s a physically demanding job too, to get everything perfectly in place, especially the large floral archways and hanging flowers from ceilings and light fixtures. Every design has a recipe card, outlining exactly how many of each flower goes into the bouquet or display and we want everything to be perfect! ”. Often he and his staff get creative using personal objects in arrangement, such as incorporating a fishing lure or hat in a funeral floral display. And when the big event is over, the flowers are often donated to local hospitals, nursing homes or composted.
At this new location, the staff is planning to host pop up events and various classes open to the public. Those include how to create Terrariums (very popular now), seasonal wreaths, indoor plant arrangements and arrange a fresh flower vase. You can sign up for their email list to stay current on what’s happening. This new spot also has a display of grab and go gifts for sale, such as earrings, sweets, snacks, cards and candles from the Midwest area.
Stop in and say hello the next time you are in the area…or give Studio Dan Meiners Design and Floral a call if you need help with anything from a simple floral delivery to an upcoming special event. They are ready to help!
From left: Ashely Ritchie, Kimberly Ransdell, Gale Nation, Justin McGuire
Now in it’s 44th year, the annual St Patrick’s Warm Up Parade is happening this Saturday, March 14 at 2pm. .. plan to join the fun! I love this year’s theme: Leprechaun Cup: Going For The Gold. Sounds like a tribute to Kansas City being the host of so much international soccer activity this summer!
This is a big family event for our neighborhood and everyone is welcome. There are usually around 100 entries in the parade; it lasts a couple of hours! You’ll see dancers, classic cars, floats, bag pipers, dressed up kids and adults all joining in the fun. There will be lots of pedestrians walking and cars parked all along the side streets with some streets closed to traffic–see the parade route below. Note the extra cars and kids and bikes in the area and drive extra carefully.
Thank you to everyone who helps make this annual event happen! Local celebrations like this make Brookside the special unique neighborhood it is.
The best bars always seem to be the place where “everybody knows your name”…. the local joints that give you a sincere greeting when walking in; where you can banter with the staff while enjoying friendly, efficient service. And that’s exactly what you will find at Waldo’s newest bar, Audrey’s Wine+Bourbon.
Audrey’s Wine+Bourbon
Waldo residents Laura and Howard Turley, owners of the nearby 75th Street Events, opened Audrey’s in January. It’s a small, clubby space with comfortable seating and large windows overlooking the street parade along 75th. It’s also a very unique bar because of the concept: try a flight of three bourbons along with a glass of wine. Never done that? This is the place to try it! The Turley’s and their bartenders are ready to guide you. “No one does pairings like this” explains Howard, “here’s where we have fun! We greet each person and talk you through how it works and what to expect with the tastings. Most of our bourbons you can’t find anywhere else in the city–we even have an organic, kosher bourbon! Our collection of specially curated wines come from around the world. We are here to create a very new and different tasting experience for every customer’. The flights offer three bourbons, one glass of wine and a Laura Little’s chocolate; there are pairings as well. You can create your own combination of bourbon and wine or select an option from the menu. Of course you can also order wines by the glass and there are five specialty cocktails; The Smoking Gun is their own signature mix up.
The Turleys are working on having live music every Thursday night–performances that don’t overpower the room and allow for conversations in a normal voice! They also plan to offer small charcuterie plates from Salumi Rose, another local Waldo shop nearby. At this point they are focused on getting to know their customers and “bringing it all to life” , through individual tasting experiences and interactions with the bar staff. Audrey’s Wine + Bourbon is located at 404 W 75th St, just across from Chipotle. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 4-10:30pm and Friday/Saturday 4-midnight. Parking is available in the lot next to the building; note that Audrey’s is a cashless bar. Stop in soon and try a different bar experience!
From left, Laura and Howard Turley and two of their very personable bartenders
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 