Sip and Shop in Brookside Thurs 9/20/18

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

brookside sip and shop

Enjoy strolling along 63rd St Brookside tonight during the Sip and Shop! Various merchants will have wine samples and restaurant specials from 5-7pm on Thursday, Sept 20, 2018, focusing on 63rd St between Wornall and Main and along Brookside Plaza.

Participating shops include Stuff, Lady Bye, Fiddly Fig, New Dime Store, Brookside Barkery, Party Warehouse and COCO. There are some excellent restaurant deals too–at Red Door Grill, Michael Forbes, Charlie Hoopers and several more. You can see the complete list at www.brooksidekc.org.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses in Brookside!

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!

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!

A Brooksider Walks Into The Starbucks…

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

There’s been a lot of discussion between Brookside/Waldo neighbors about the new Starbucks setting up shop in the heart of the shopping district. So many passionate remarks against a national chain moving in; others seem to welcome the homegrown USA company that treats its employees well and produces a quality product. Does there have to be a feud between Starbucks and Roasterie patrons? Can’t we all just get along?

Starbucks inside

Starbucks mural

I visited the Starbucks earlier this week. It wasn’t very busy, probably because it was over 90 degrees outside at 4 in the afternoon! It’s a spacious store, with plenty of seating and a large counter, plus plenty of windows to people watch the pedestrians. I like the drawing on the west side of the building, and the inviting tables and chairs outside.

Coffee at this level is very much a personal preference — I find Roasterie coffee tastes smoother, and it’s hard to find another coffee spot that so expertly creates the foam latte topping as well. Roasterie offers a wide assortment of locally made snacks, chocolates and pastries, and at both places you can order ahead so you don’t have to talk to a human. But I do enjoy Starbucks coffee, generally the servers are friendly (excluding airport Starbucks in my experience!) and it can be less expensive than Roasterie. For example, a 16 oz bag of beans at Starbucks runs $14-$15; at Roasterie the 12 oz bag of beans start at $14. Lattes, straight gray coffee, expresso and teas are competitive in pricing.

There is definitely a ‘vibe’ difference between the two stores. Roasterie is more industrial, gray; it has the big open windows, a patio and games for the kids. Starbucks is a brand new store, all prettied up and organized with wood accents and sleek long counters. Roasterie feels comfortable, local and unique, partly because I’ve been going there since it opened. The Roasterie logo is unique to KC; I can walk into any USA Starbucks and know I’m in a national chain shop.

My first choice is to support Roasterie. Brooksider Danny O’Neil took that ugly corner that was once an abandoned gas station (where I got carjacked) and turned it into one of Brookside’s most beloved and popular hang out spots. This was the first Roasterie Cafe location in Kansas City, and now there are at least six Cafes around the metro area…indeed it is a locally based chain. The company does a lot to support local kids’ sports teams and donates coffee to community organizations. They mix up special blends for area restaurants and organizations. Will Starbucks do the same?

I’m sure I’ll stop in the Starbucks at times too. It seems the idea of Starbucks coming to Brookside is worse than their actual presence. If the local and national landlords that rent Brookside space on both sides of 63rd St are smart, they will keep the area primarily locally based owned and operated businesses. That is what keeps our neighborhood so special–the one of a kind stores & restaurants, the personal service, the unique items you can buy here in Brookside and Waldo. Not every local business can afford the pricey rent in this highly trafficked area, and sometimes local Brookside businesses lose their lease (for example, Shopgirls). If the landlords want to make the focus all about how much money they can make by courting only national chains, the area may not thrive as it does now. I don’t think that will happen. Brookside has changed over the years, and various services and restaurants will continue to open and close. So, now we have yet another chain, to go with Jimmy Johns, Panera Bread, Baskin Robbins/Topsy’s, CVS, Tuesday Morning, etc. Brookside/Waldo residents are known for patronizing home grown businesses–for now, the mix between local/national stores seems to work.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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

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