Red Door Grill Open Now in Brookside

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Brookside welcomes another locally owned restaurant…the Red Door Woodfired Grill opened in the former Blue Grotto location on December 29—the exact address is 6324 Brookside Plaza, next door to the Brooksider. I haven’t eaten there (yet!) –but did stop by to take a look at the space and menu.

If you’ve been to the Leawood location, you will recognize the menu at the Brookside spot. Specialties include jalapeno dipped fried chicken (served on Thursdays), whiskey soaked prime rib (Sunday’s special), plus meatloaf (owner’s recipe) and wood fired wings (with ancho chili rub, baked, then grilled). McGonigles created a special blend of meat for the burgers ($5 on Mondays). No frozen meat or heat lamps here, proclaims a blurb on the menu, and the wood used under the grill is pecan, oak and hickory.

There is a large bar with TVs in all sight lines; plenty of booths and a spacious upstairs seating area. The menu includes several modestly priced sides and appetizers, so if you don’t want a full meal, you can graze and share several different foods. The hummus and salad dressings are made on site!! Of course there are several specialty cocktails ($8+), plenty of beer and wine options. You can order take out—or rent the place for a special event. Happy hour is a full three hours (4-7) Monday through Friday and late night from 10pm-midnight.

Red Door Woodfired Grill is open seven days a week now in Brookside! Reservations are accepted.

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Waldo 2016 Home Sales Recap

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Another year gone…another uptick in Waldo home sales! First we will look at numbers for Dec 2016; then move on to a 2016 wrap up with comparisons to 2015. The figures are for single family home sales, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:

December 2016

Number of homes sold: 17

Median list price: $179,000

Median sales price: $179,000

Average days on market: 21

December 2015

Number of homes sold: 29

Median list price: $179,950

Median sales price: $179,950

Average days on market: 33

Fewer homes sold last month compared to Dec 2015, but I think that was due to lack of inventory as demand was strong. Notice how most sellers are getting asking price for their homes.

Here are year to year comparisons:

2016

Number of homes sold: 392

Median list price: $166,750

Median sales price: $167,250

Average days on market: 21

2015

Number of homes sold: 361

Median list price: $160,000

Median sales price $160,000

Average days on market: 34

Median prices rose 4.5% in Waldo compared to 2015; more homes are selling and in a shorter amount of time. Waldo is a hot location for homebuyers!

Currently in Waldo, there are 17 single family homes for sale at a median list price of $165,000 and 58 days on market. Lowest listing is priced at $106,900; highest is $479,999.

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

KC Restaurant Week Jan 13-22, 2017

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

registerheader-h1 During the holidays, you can stuff yourself with tasty home cooked meals and special treats. Now it’s January…and time to eat more during KC Restaurant Week!

KC Restaurant Week is a benefit for three local organizations: Boys Grow, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and Cultivate Kansas City. Participating restaurants donate a portion of money collected from each meal to these groups. Each eatery offers a special lunch ($15) and dinner ($33) during the ten day event. This is the best way to try new restaurants in all parts of the metro area. Just scrolling through the website, looking at all the artfully plated food will stir up cravings!

Reservations are highly recommended through Open Table. This year, 143 restaurants are participating. I’ve listed the Brookside/Waldo restaurants below:

Avenues Bistro

Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille

Michael Forbes Bar and Grille

Waldo Pizza

The Well

Thank you for supporting locally owned businesses during KC Restaurant Week!

JFS Opens 2cd Location in Brookside East

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Happy New Year and welcome 2017! What changes will the new year bring for our Brookside/Waldo neighborhood? Last year I wrote several posts about the emerging Brookside East corridor along E 63rd St. And the first blog of 2017 will to tell you about a non profit opening in this hip small business area. Jewish Family Services, or JFS, is expanding its services to Brookside East, scheduled to open January 17 at 425 E 63rd St.

JFS actually started as a support system for immigrants 115 years ago. You may be familiar with their main building at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, and they also started Menorah Hospital. They chose Brookside East as a second location to deliver better access to clients who live in this area and rely on bus transportation. This building also allows for a much larger food pantry and extra space for growth.

JFS is a non profit , United Way organization, funded by donations and grants. They offer several important services for the area: a food pantry, mental health counseling, chaplaincy, career services, emergency shelter referrals and assistance for older adults. Their mission is to support and strengthen lives throughout greater Kansas City regardless of faith, age, culture and lifestyle..so all are welcome. (They also welcome volunteers!)

A unique aspect of this new location will be the artwork. Over 52 works of art have been donated by Rita Blitt, who designed the memorial for the Hyatt Regency skywalk collapse. Rita will have several paintings and one sculpture in the building.

JFS-Brookside East will have regular business hours of 8am-5pm Monday through Friday; the emergency hotline number 816 333 1172. They are planning a Grand Opening for the community after the building is open and the staff is settled in.

Waldo Home Sales Report-Nov 2016

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Homebuyers continue to seek out Waldo as a place to put down roots! Sales continue to outpace last year and prices –rising. Here are the November 2016 stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:

November 2016

Number of homes sold: 29

Median list price: $175,000

Median sales price: $172,000

Average days on market: 15

The lowest sales price last month was $86,000 and the highest was $345,000.

November 2015

Number of homes sold: 14

Median list price: $157,475

Median sales price: $162,500

Average days on market: 24

Twice as many homes sold this November compared to 2015; median sales price jumped up as well. Also, houses are going under contract faster.

Now let’s compare year-to-date:

Jan-Nov 2016

Number of homes sold: 373

Median list price: $167,500

Median sales price: $167,500

Average days on market: 22

Jan-Nov 2015

Number of homes sold: 335

Median list price: $160,000

Median sales price $162,000

Average days on market: 34

So far this year, 11% more homes have sold and prices are up 3.39%.

Currently in Waldo, there are 34 single family homes for sale at a median list price of $165,000 and 52 days on market.

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

BKS Artisan Ales Plans Early 2017 Opening in Brookside East

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

You’ve heard the rumors….here’s what we know so far about yet another locally owned business coming to Brookside East. It’s BKS Artisan Ales. I recently spoke with Brian Rooney about his plans.

Brian has been a home brewer for several years. He’s won awards for his beer in a few competitions and decided to “take the hobby a little bit further” by opening to the public. He wanted to stay in his neighborhood of Brookside, and rented space from Butch Rigby at 633 E 63^rd St. (This building is also home for Farm Dog Studios, Amina Marie Millinery and Golden and Pine). Brian owns the business along with his wife Mary and a few silent investors.

This brewery will be different than many of the craft brew places that have opened up the past few years. Brian explained BKS Artisan Ales will be open from noon – 5 on Saturdays, with a possible expansion to Sundays after getting established in the space. There will be eight taps and his bottled beer for sale. No food service—however, visitors are welcome to bring in their own eats to enjoy while sampling the beers.

One of the reasons Brian decided to open his own place was to offer some interesting brews you can’t find elsewhere. He will not brew the same beers over and over—what’s offered will be constantly changing. He has a passion for brewing, and explained he’s not “money driven” with this new business—he’s doing it to give people “a different experience” . There will be two sides to the space: the beer production side and the tasting room with approximately fifty seats.

The space build-out is on track to be completed by this month. Outside, there’s progress: the patio was recently poured and a garage door with awning and fencing has been installed. BKS Artisan Ales plans to open in February or March of next year.

Of course, once the business is open and running….I’ll let you know through the blog. Brookside East is the hot new area for businesses in our neighborhood–special thanks to Butch Rigby for making it happen and encouraging entrepreneurship in Brookside!

Annual Kristkindl Markt in Brookside This Weekend

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Don’t you enjoy all the annual holiday themed events that happen each year? These are the friendly and festive happenings that never get tiresome: driving past the Plaza and Crown Center light displays; seeing Santa at the mall; picking out a tree and stopping for hot chocolate on the way home. Am I getting too nostalgic??

market This weekend, Dec 2 and 3, 2016 is the 34th annual Kristkindl Markt at the Country Club Congregational Church in Armour Hills, 205 W 65th St. This is a free, family centered event that draws big crowds to the neighborhood. There’s a Biergarten with German food and live music; homemade cookies for sale, the ever-popular Gingerbread House making for kids and several vendors selling crafts and gifts.

Hours are 5-9pm Friday and 10-7pm on Saturday. The narrow streets around the church will be crowded with cars, pedestrians and traffic–best to park several blocks away and walk to the church. Another Brookside holiday tradition–all are welcome!

Shop Brookside/Waldo on Small Business Saturday!

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Forget shopping on Black Friday in a crowded mall with indifferent store staffers…..come to Brookside/Waldo and shop locally owned businesses! Your money stays in the community…and you will find unique gifts for everyone !

And if you are headed into Brookside…be sure to make time to explore the new shops in Brookside East: HAMILTON, Season + Square, Golden and Pine, Farm Dog Studios.

Local restaurants and cafes will be ready for you with nourishment and beverages when you need a break!

Finally, on Small Business Saturday, American Express card holders can take advantage of special offers.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

HAMILTON (the shop!) Now Open in Brookside East

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Yet another new boutique has opened in Brookside East…just in time for holiday shopping!

Katy Hamilton, owner of Shopgirls at 6245 Brookside Plaza , opened HAMILTON last month at 6215 Oak Street, just south of Plate and Season + Square. It’s a cozy and welcoming space, perfect for browsing and checking out items you’ll want to buy for yourself and others.

The tagline “neighborhood style for all” reflects Katy’s products: she features men’s and women’s clothes from local designers, Charlie Hustle tee shirts, locally made jewelry (including unique necklaces with letter charms from the KC Star printing presses), Kansas City skyline socks, candles with surprising scents and other uncommon items. At stores like this, it’s always interesting to see how the owner has made the space unique: Katy used discarded pallets from Sutherlands to build the dressing rooms, hung stain glass windows from her first Brookside home and is replacing a section of missing hardwood floor with pennies. It’s a very unique, stylish, and comfortable shop.

Besides selling these products, Katy is giving back to the Brookside neighborhood she loves so much by hosting special events for the public. Her boyfriend Adam Galblum is a jazz musician with the band Hot Club KC, so she’s planning micro-concerts, DIY workshops on how to make jewelry and spa items plus special Thursday evening local maker trunk shows. Later on, Katy wants to debut her own exclusive clothing line.

Stop in and welcome HAMILTON to Brookside! Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm at 6125 Oak St. Follow the shop on social media to keep up with special events: Facebook/hamiltonkcmo; Twitter/hamiltonkcmo and Instagram/hamilton.kcmo.

Brookside Holiday Season Kicks Off Tonight

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Brookside is ready to welcome all shoppers with the annual Brookside Holiday Season Opener tonight, Nov. 10 from 5-8pm. Especially with the mild evening temperatures–this is a good time to get out and do some early shopping while supporting locally owned businesses!

Many Brookside merchants will be open tonight until 8pm. Several restaurants have food and drink specials; shops have special deals. Worlds Window is collecting new and gently used coats, partnering with Rose Brooks Center. As you stroll from shop to store, enjoy live music outside and sip free coffee and cocoa!

This event is for all ages, too. The kids have fun at the special photo spots throughout the area.

If you can’t make it tonight–the festive atmosphere and specials continue throughout the weekend. The Brookside shops are located on W 63rd St, just east of Wornall Road.

Shop local in Brookside!

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Category Archives: Waldo Community News