The Most Boring Time of the Year

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

You’ve heard of the dog days of summer…to me, this time of year is the worst! No holidays, lots of long gray days and recently, almost constant ice, slush and snow. (Although, I do enjoy a soft, several inches snowfall which we may get on Friday!)

When it’s chilly and dark, It’s easy to spend all your freetime inside, under the blanket on the sofa watching Netflix and ordering in. But if you are itching to get out and try something new…I’ve listed a few suggestions in this blog. Invite some friends to meet up and try something different! Explore someplace in Brookside and Waldo you’ve never been before and treat yo’ self to kick off the winter blahs!

Bier Station 120 E Gregory

Music trivia on Monday nights, live tunes on Wednesdays. Beer and food served.

Centered Spirit, 8131 Wornall / Hollyday Spa, 1 E Gregory

Lose yourself in a massage or a relaxing cup of tea at Centered Spirit; Hollyday offers massages and facials.

KC Bier Company, 310 W 79th St

Tours of their brewery available every Saturday at 1; competitive trivia on Sunday afternoons and jam sessions/live music on other nights.

Piano Room, 8140 Wornall

Cozy music lounge with a full bar; open mike night every Wednesday.

Red Racks Thrift Shop, 8026 Wornall

Veteran owned thrift store–find some cheap, unexpected treasures here! Special discounts for President’s Day this weekend!

KC Clay Guild, 200 W 74th St

Family Fun Night open to anyone who wants to play with clay; purchase supplies on site. Friday and Saturday nights from 6-10.

Brookside Wine and Spirits, 600 E 63rd St

Free wine tasting every Wednesday.

Walsh’s Corner Cocktails, 304 W 85th St (no web site–it’s old school in here!)

Come for the chill atmosphere, friendly service and cheap quality eats: taco specials Monday and Thursdays; burger special on Wednesday. Shuffleboard and dart games available.

Flying Horse Taproom, 600 E 63rd St

This recently opened small bar/restaurant has a large beer selection, delicious flatbreads and salads plus interesting artwork on the walls.

Waldo Pizza Tap Room 7433 Broadway

Tuesday night is Trivia night at Waldo’s favorite pizza joint.

Please add your own personal suggestions in the comments section for our readers! And remember…every day moves us closer to Spring and more daylight!

Big Changes Planned for 75th & Wornall Intersection

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

As I reported last month, Waldo home prices are on the rise. And the planned Wornall Road Improvement Project will enhance the streetscape, beauty and walkability of Waldo even more, making the area even more appealing to homebuyers.
Last week I stopped by the Open House Public Meeting (at Hale Cook Elementary) to get more details on the project. Paid for with your tax dollars, this project focuses on Wornall Road from 74th to 79th St. Key improvements will be made at the heavily traveled and congested intersection of 75th and Wornall. They include:
*enhanced “artistic” crosswalks
*new curbs and sidewalks with accent pavers
*new streetlights and traffic signals
*a ‘gathering space’, planters, benches and litter receptacles.
This entire intersection will be reworked to be more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. There will be designated east/west turn lanes to access Wornall from 75th St (much needed!) and the Trolley Track Trail will be shared space with the sidewalk along the east side of the street. The NE parking lot ( in front of Waldo Pizza and The Well ) will be also be reconfigured. (The transit center will remain.)
Although construction won’t start until next spring (continuing through 2021), and the City hasn’t decided where the first phase will begin (74th or 79th St), the public is invited to view the plans and provide feedback and suggestions. Go to the website for details and updates.
As a Brookside resident who supports local businesses, I am very excited to see our tax dollars improving this area for residents and visitors. Whenever I am driving into Waldo, I avoid 75th and Wornall when possible as it is just so difficult to get through. This area is truly the heart of Waldo with so many popular shops and restaurants right there. Of course, we will have to endure with closed streets and detours for a few years—but it will be worth it!

Brookside’s Shop Beautiful Has Closed

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

It’s been a longtime Brookside shop, since 1936! And now it’s closed. I always admired their beautiful, eye catching window displays at 320 W 63rd St. Shop Beautiful sold their inventory and shut the doors last week.

Shop Beautiful is a family run small business–and this store was small, just around 800 square feet. The service was friendly, and browsing the jewelry, handbags, scarves, candles, artwork and other unique gifts for sale was always fun. Like many Brookside shops, they offered free gift wrap!

Now Brookside and Waldo residents can travel to their larger store in Overland Park at 5001 W 119th St in Hawthorne Plaza. Same helpful service and complimentary gift wrap; same selection of interesting and eye catching merch–but more of it, because the OP store is much larger.

Hopefully another locally owned shop will move into the former 63rd St location…and stay at least 83 years!

It’s KC Restaurant Week-Make Reservations Now!

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

“Where should we eat tonight?” How often do you hear this questions? It’s easy to fall back to those familiar locations close to home, with food and service you know. Break out of the rut! Kansas City Restaurant Week is almost here!

restaurant week

KC Restaurant Week (January 11-20, 2019) is a citywide event, when area dining spots offer specially priced meals for lunch and dinner…and a portion of the proceeds benefit local non profit foundations. This year, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City is the “Community Beneficiary”, along with three “destination beneficiaries”. Stop in for lunch ($15) or dinner ($33) at a participating restaurant and you’ll get a great meal, at a discount, while helping out those local organizations.

What I like about RW is that you can scroll through the restaurants and be inspired to try someplace new! Quite often the special menus are posted at the site. Although I’ve listed here the participating Brookside/Waldo eateries, get out of your comfort zone and try someplace new, like Modern Farmhouse in Lenexa, Blind Box Barbecue in Shawnee or Cafe Verona in Independence. Most of the restaurants are locally owned and operated.

This year, over 195 restaurants are participating! That’s the largest number ever. Last year, the event raised $427,000. This is the most boring time of year (in my opinion) …it’s easy to gather up a group of friends and have a new dining experience together. Make reservations early…many places fill up fast!

More info and menus (as they become available) at Kansas City Restaurant Week-dates again are Jan 11-20, 2019. Here’s the list of Brookside/Waldo places offering specials :

Aixois Red Door Woodfired Grill

Avenues Bistro Summit Grill

Brookside Barrio Waldo Pizza

Michael Forbes Bar and Grille The Well

Boru Ramen Bar District Pourhouse & Kitchen

Louie’s Wine Dive Summit Grill

Thank you for supporting locally owned business and KC Restaurant Week!

2018: It Was A Good Year for Brookside/Waldo

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

Welcome to 2019! I hope you are having a relaxing and healthy holiday season. Since this is the first blog of the year, I’m going to recap some 2018 highlights for the Brookside/Waldo area. It was a successful twelve months for our neighborhood!

Many new businesses opened, and most of them are locally owned and operated. In the heart of Brookside along 63^rd St, Sweet and Simple is a new edible cookie dough treat shop, and LadyBye offers reasonably priced women’s clothes and accessories for those interested in classic style. Brookside Barrio and Brookside Poultry Company are two new popular eateries. Brookside East continues to attract local entrepreneurs, with the opening of Flying Horse Taproom, Chanee Vijay textiles, BKS Artisan Ales and Architexture Salon. Plate plans to reopen in April at 701 E 63^rd St. Brookside also got an additional stoplight/crosswalk on 63^rd by the new Starbucks, and everyone loves the new large wall mural celebrating Brookside on the north side of the CVS building. Unfortunately, we had a couple of store closings: Sheehan’s Irish Imports on Gregory *due to owner retiring) and Shop Beautiful will close this month as the owners focus on the Overland Park location.

There were several changes in the Waldo area as well: Euston Hardware remodeled; Dodson’s Bar and Commons opened on Wornall just north of 75^th St and Classic Cookie opened for evening dining with an Italian themed menu. The never ending road construction along Wornall is at a temporary halt but not for long…expansive (and much needed changes) are planned for the 75^th and Wornall intersection to make it more pedestrian friendly. Next year will also see the renovation of the “Wornall Village” shopping area at the northwest corner of 85^th and Wornall, starting with a revamped Price Chopper.

A wonderful community asset opened in 2018: HJ’s Youth and Community Center, across from St Andrew’s church. This space is used for community events, private receptions, classes, meetings and hosts a small coffee shop open to everyone. It also features a large lawn on the east side for outdoor movie nights, plus a doggie and human water station!

And what about home values? That’s an interesting story as well. Waldo is beating out Brookside in terms of rising home prices: as of the end of November, Waldo home values were up 15% and Brookside saw a 3% increase. I will report on twelve month figures later in the month when the stats are ready. Brookside and Waldo are still very desirable locations for homebuyers.

I’m not going to make any firm predictions about this year…but I will say…. Brookside is celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary as a shopping/services/residential neighborhood. I think both Brookside and Waldo will continue to attract local businesses and homebuyers of all ages as we head into century 2!

Kristkindl Markt in Brookside This Weekend

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Get into the holiday spirit this weekend…with a German influence! The annual Kristkindl Markt is happening Dec 7 and 8, 2018 at the Kansas City United Church of Christ in Armour Hills.

This event is pretty much like stepping into a little German village…there’s a Biergarten, authentic German food, live music, vendors selling homemade crafts and of course–the gingerbread house making for kids. Hours are Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 10-7pm at 205 W 65th St at Brookside Road.

The church is located in a residential area, so streets are narrow and there is no parking lot. Please be aware and park a few blocks away, plan on walking to the site and watch for pedestrians!

New Wall Mural in Brookside!

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Have you noticed the new outdoor wall mural in Brookside?? It perfectly captures the friendly, welcoming spirit of our neighborhood.

First Washington Realty, the company that owns the commercial real estate on the north side of 63^rd St between Wornall and Brookside Blvd, commissioned the work by Ruthie Ozonoff. The mural was created is in conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of our neighborhood shops. The postcard format is ideal for photos, and I especially like the Brookside gas lamp as the ‘stamp’ in the upper right corner–one of Brookside’s most distinctive features.

Ruthie is from Kansas City and grew up in Brookside. When she was ten years old, her family moved to Lawrence to be closer to family. Ruthie went to KU, studying illustration and animation. She created a few murals in the Kansas City area that you may have seen: the “Kansas City I’m So In Love” mural at 2010 McGee and the “Where Kansas City Plays” mural, commissioned by KC Parks and Rec, in the West Bottoms. First Washington saw her work on Etsy and contacted her about the Brookside piece. It was Ruthie’s idea to use a postcard template.

Ruthie Ozonoff

Ruthie started painting at the beginning of November, and it took about two weeks to complete the project—delayed mostly by weather. It’s located on the north facing wall, north of CVS (6244 Brookside Blvd) —right by the alley that goes behind the shops. You can easily see the mural driving south on Brookside Blvd just before 63^rd St. “Doing this mural was an honor. Growing up, I wanted to make people happy with my artwork—and it feels great to give back to my historic hometown community.”

You can find Ruthie’s work on her Facebook and Etsy pages, or check it out on Instagram-@designedbyruthie. She’s currently living in Colorado, working as a freelance designer and a personal trainer/coach. She says “After sitting at the computer for several hours working on illustrations and graphic design, I like to go to the gym and work out; shake off the pent up energy!”

The next time you are stopping in near the shops–perhaps for a Roasterie coffee or to pick up a few holiday gifts–look for the mural. And thanks to First Washington Realty for bringing this artwork to Brookside for all to enjoy!

Dodson’s Bar Opens in Waldo

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Looking for a new place to meet friends for a drink during this holiday season? Try Waldo’s newest bar, Dodson’s Bar and Commons at 7438 Wornall. I stopped by last week to check it out and chat with “’smooth operator and Assistant General Manager” Eric Jones.

Dodson’s opened on September 12, site of the former Waldo Bar. It has a relaxed feel, with plenty of table and lounge seating. TVs line the walls, there’s a shuffleboard and Nintendo game, and the modern lighting isn’t too bright. The long bar offers 75% local and regional beers, plus several classic cocktails. Besides the traditional Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule, many patrons try the Suffering Bastard—invented in the 1940s as a hangover cure says Eric—with gin, bourbon, lemon juice, ginger beer and bitters. During the colder winter months, Eric plans to add a hot toddy featuring Waldo honey.

Dodson’s isn’t offering food just yet, but they do have happy hour every day from 4-7pm: all draft beers are $3 and house cocktails are $5. Dodson’s is probably open when you are ready for a beverage and some good conversation—hours are every day from 4pm to 3am. Parking is in the back of the building—the back entrance is hidden by a wooden fence so remember to walk through the alley to slip in the rear door. The front entrance is just north of Pickleman’s at 7438 Wornall.

Eric explained the name of the bar came from the trolley that connected Waldo and Westport (Dodson’s). They added the Commons to emphasize a “gathering of like minds coming together”. He added “We are incredibly stoked to be in Waldo” because of all the local businesses that support each other and the residents that frequent locally owned businesses.

Stop by Dodson’s over the holiday season and welcome them to our neighborhood!

Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off Tonight in Brookside

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Today is the Annual Holiday Season Opener to kick off the shopping season in Brookside! Starting at 5pm stroll through the Brookside shops and check out the special deals and discounts.

Be sure to stop by and check out the live music and local schools’ children’s choirs getting you in the holiday spirit–from 6:30-7:30pm at the small park west of Starbucks on 63rd St. There will be giveaways as well, plus refreshments from The Roasterie, Price Chopper and Michael Forbes.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside businesses during the holiday shopping season! This event extends through Sunday!

Annual Coat Drive Begins at World’s Window

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

It’s time for the annual Coat and Sweater Drive at World’s Window in Brookside! If you have gently used coats and sweaters for women and children, please drop them off at Worlds Window 332. W 63rd St.

This drive is a benefit for the Rose Brooks Center, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Your donations are accepted through November 7–and in return, you will receive a 20% discount to use in store on November 8 from 5-8pm.

It just takes a few minutes to dig around your closets for warm clothes that others need so much! Please help out Rose Brooks Center and drop off your items at World’s Window over the next few weeks–332 W. 63rd St. It’s helpful if you bring coats on hangers!

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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

Category Archives: Waldo Community News