Well if you didn’t indulge in food too much during the holiday season…here’s your chance to catch up!! Kansas City Restaurant Week starts Friday and runs through Sunday January 19. This year’s charity recipient is House of Hope, a non profit based in North Kansas City.It’s the perfect opportunity to try someplace new for a meal and support a good cause.
How it works: dozens of restaurants all over the metro area are offering special lunch and dinner prix fixe menus with prices ranging from $20-$55; a portion of profits are directed to House of Hope. Reservations are encouraged and you can make them via the website. Note: not all restaurants have posted their special Restaurant Week menus–but you know you will get a pretty good deal, wherever you dine!
Participating restaurants in the Brookside and Waldo area are:
Aixois French Restaurant
Boru Asian Eatery
Charlie Hoopers Bar & Grille
City Barrel Pizza + Patio
Home Grown KC
Lew’s Grill and Bar
Red Door Grill
Pizza Tascio
South of Summit Taqueria
Summit Grill
Plan a night out with your friends and family and support our locally owned restaurants during KC Restaurant Week!
By this time next week, Santa will have come and gone…yes, the Big Day is that close! If you still need to purchase a few gifts, consider supporting our newer, local merchants when you shop. Each of these businesses opened in Brookside or Waldo this year and are ready to help!
For new parents, consider buying cloth diaper service from The Diaper Society. They also have items you can purchase for new parents, such as all natural shampoos, lotions, baby balm and body wash.
For pet lovers, stop in Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath, 7140 Wornall. Just about everything your doggie needs is sold here (along with a few cat items), including toys, food, leashes and of course–in house baked special treats!
Sometimes, you have to get the kids out of the house! Humanette, at 118 W 63rd St, is a play cafe for toddlers and their parents. The little ones can play as the adults sip a beverage and get to know other neighborhood families. Gift cards available.
Everyone eats and many people do not like to cook…. visit City Barrel at 120 E Gregory, pick up a six pack of beer and a gift card for pizza. Hemma Hemma at 7122 Wornall serves up delicious food for breakfast and lunch and also offers several grab and go items to enjoy at home.
Finally, two new businesses recently opened right next to each other–I haven’t had time to stop by and check them out yet. But wanted to mention them in this blog: Bramble & Stem at 410 E Gregory makes stunning floral arrangements and the shop has a few gifts and plants for purchase; Blue Sky Art + Home at 408 E Gregory is a “studio, gallery and boutique” with one of a kind art pieces for sale.
And if you need a break after your shopping spree..stop in Vita’s Place at 5514 Oak for a nice glass of wine and small plates. Their sister place Underdog Wine Shop is around the corner at 327 E 55th St, offering a large wine selection, chocolates and small gifts.
There are so many independently owned shops in Brookside and Waldo where you will find unique items for purchase–and personal service–as you browse. Thank you for supporting the small businesses that make our neighborhood special!
There are so many decisions to make when a baby is on the way…and so many preparations. It’s tempting to follow the crowd and plan to use disposable diapers… most people do. Here’s an option: a new Brookside business, The Diaper Society, now offers you a convenient alternative to consider. Why fill your home with boxes of disposables when you can have cloth diapers picked up, laundered, and delivered back to your home?
Justine Richard and her youngest daughter
Justine and Ryan Richard started The Diaper Society this year as a side business; both work full time and have two children ages 4 months and 3 years. When pregnant with their first child, Justine was very interested in using cloth diapers. Both are environmentally conscious and research shows that the average child uses 5000-7500 disposable diapers during the first few years of life. After using a small local cloth diaper service, they decided to open their own and spread the word about this convenient disposable diaper alternative. Justine spent a full year researching cloth materials, soaps, cleaning supplies, e-commerce and route optimization. “When you are an expectant mother, so many products are pushed at you for the baby. Many of them contain forever chemicals. I wanted to do all the legwork so we could operate a service that is convenient for parents yet using safe products for the child.“ This process includes a “closed loop” for cleaning the diapers: each soiled load is washed separately so that your child’s laundry is individually washed and not with another child’s soiled diapers.
Cloth diapers have changed quite a bit since the old days. Design innovations have done away with sharp pins! Cloth diapers are now easily fastened with hooks; and the plastic pants worn over the diapers come in adjustable sizes to fit a growing bottom. Also offered are separate pad “inserts” to for extra absorbing. The Diaper Society offers three levels of service to choose from, all described on their website. They can provide the diapers, inserts, cloth wipes and delivery service; or if you have your own diapers, they will launder them for you. There is a rental option available as well. If you are interested in learning exactly how the program works, Ryan will come to your home and give you a demonstration of how the diapers fit and the service options.
Cloth diaper fastener and adjustable plastic pants
Another couple of services to note here: Ryan and Justine participate in the TerraCycle program: this is a company that recycles certain items that can’t be recycled (check the website for details). They also have an online shop, full of various all natural baby products you can order and have delivered with your diapers. Gift cards are available!
During our visit in their Brookside home (diapers are not laundered here FYI), I was impressed with this operation and how it works. Most families with two full time working parents and two young children do not have time for a side hustle! However, Ryan has always had an “entrepreneurial bent” and both of them want to do what they can for the environment. Using the cloth diapers for their own children turned out to be pretty easy and at a similar cost to disposables. Starting The Diaper Society is one way this couple can have an impact and bring along others with them. Find them on their website and Instagram.
One of the aspects of Waldo that people like best is that it is so walkable! The Waldo Area Business Association invites you to take advantage of that with the Waldo Sip and Stroll, tonight December 5 from 3-7pm.
Our Waldo businesses depend on you to make a little extra effort to support them when buying for the holidays. You’ll get great service, a wide selection of interesting gift ideas, and so many places are offering special deals. Throw on that winter coat and scarf, get some extra exercise and stroll the Waldo shops tonight. Waldo appreciates your business!
Everyone likes to treat them…and now there’s a new locally owned business in Waldo with special treats for your dog! Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath opened in September at 7140 Wornall, offering doggy delights made by hand right in the shop.
Owner Sarah Deters was the Corporate Executive Chef at Three Dog Bakery for 15 years when she decided to open her own place, along with her business partner Andy Wiltz (who owns several pet related services). The focus at the store is using all natural ingredients–no artificial colors, refined sugars or preservatives; while adding in nutritional benefits with coconut oil, zucchini, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, etc. Peek through the glass cases at the various offerings, and you’ll see Sarah’s creativity on display: best sellers like cheddar fish crackers, bacon cheddar cupcakes, “Cake pawpsicles” and seasonal themed treats for Chiefs and holidays plus special doggy birthday or gotcha day cakes.
Besides the fresh baked options, Callie Mae’s sells dog food, chews, doggie toys, collars, supplements, flea and tick products, shampoo and a few items for cats. There are two self service dog wash stations; priced at $16, all products needed to clean up your pup are included.
At Callie Mae’s, you’ll find the special personal service our locally owned businesses are known for. (If you are walking by the shop with your pet, come in for a free sample treat!). Sarah and her husband foster dogs and live nearby in Red Bridge on a large lot. Callie Mae’s is named after one of their longtime pets. “We lived in Waldo for eight years before moving south to have more space for our dogs. I wanted to have a store in Waldo, because the people here are so welcoming and supportive. We like to get to know our customers and give them great service plus guidance and advice when choosing products in our store”. Sarah especially likes the location they have, close to Hemma Hemma and Betty Rae’s Ice Cream.
Callie Mae’s is located at 7140 Wornall, with a convenient parking lot next to the building. They are open seven days a week.
The holidays are almost here…time to get in the spirit! Brookside is here to help, with the annual Holiday Season Opener happening all weekend.
The festivities start tonight, November 14 at 5:30, with live music, a tree lighting ceremony, treats and a special visit from Santa. The Brookside website and poster does not indicate the location; however, in the past it’s been held at the grassy area on 63rd St just east of Brookside Blvd near the bus stop. (Just look for all the people!) All weekend, the Brookside shops along and around 63rd St will offer special deals, new holiday products, giveaways and food and drink specials at the restaurants. When you visit the Brookside Holiday Season Opener, you are supporting our locally owned businesses that make Brookside the special place it is. Get ready to enjoy some holiday cheer with your friends and neighbors this weekend in Brookside!
There are locally owned bars in the Brookside/Waldo area that have a chummy, neighborhood vibe– similar to the Cheers TV sitcom where “everybody knows your name”. Perhaps you know the bartender or tend to run into a neighbor during the visit. I’m thinking of places like Charlie Hooper’s or The Brooksider; Walsh’s Corner Cocktails. For several months now, Brookside has a wine bar with that same atmosphere…tucked away on Oak St around the corner from the Crestwood Shops.
Vita’s Place, 5514 Oak St.
Ryan Sciara
Vita’s Place is owned by Brookside residents Ryan and Jenny Scaira; and is named after Ryan’s grandmother, an immigrant from Sicily who lived in Columbus Park. Vita was Ryan’s best friend, and as a kid, he practically grew up at her kitchen table, watching her cook and take care of family members and visitors. She inspired him: “If you take care of other people, it gives you a great feeling” says Ryan. So he went into the hospitality business, working at Teller’s in Lawrence; as the opening general manager and sommelier at 40 Sardines; then opened Cellar Rat Wine Merchants in the Crossroads. Eventually he left Cellar Rat to focus on he and Jenny’s young family; then decided to open another wine store, Underdog Wine Company in the Crestwood Shops.
Still, Ryan had the itch to start another business. After visiting several small wine bars in Brooklyn NY, he decided to open his own place. But where? He wanted to be close to his Brookside home and discovered this current spot would be available for rent (formerly Salon Latifa). He hired noted restaurant designer John O’Brian to design and build out the interior, incorporating custom wood paneling, antique furniture pieces, rich textured wall tile and comfortable cushioned booths. It’s the perfect spot to linger over a beverage enjoy a conversation with friends (or the bartender!).
Vita’s has an extensive wine collection, and Ryan changes most of the 40 wines by the glass quarterly. “The wine list is very personal to me”, he explains. “With my 31 years in the business, I have become friends with a lot of great winemakers, importers, winery owners;, distributors. The greatest compliment you can give any of them is to put their wines on your list. I like to showcase small production wines, made in an honest manner that pay tribute to where they are grown. We will let someone sample a small taste of any of our wines by the glass and offer them choices in 3 and 5 oz pours.” Every Monday Vita’s Place hosts wine classes, limited to 12 people and designed for those who want to gain knowledge and confidence in the various types of wine. There is a full cocktail bar (including a huge gin selection!) and non alcoholic hard liquor and beers. Ryan is especially proud of the food he offers too; chef Owen Manning developed a simple menu of selections, most using just 4 or 5 very fresh and high quality ingredients. Items offered change seasonally, and the plates come in various sizes and work well for a nosh or meal.
Naturally, Brookside has welcomed Vita’s with steady business. “I considered other parts of the city when looking for a spot, but it only made sense to do it here. There is really no where else I would have done it. Brookside needed this type of place”. Vita’s is the perfect spot to visit with friends for a pre dinner drink and appetizer; a light meal on Sunday evenings; or stop in to linger at the bar and chat with friends and the staff. Ryan says he has a knack for remembering names and faces so will likely greet you personally!
Vita’s Place is open Wednesday through Sunday at 5514 Oak St. Parking is available on the street. Reservations available via Tock.
Big changes are coming to our Cosentino’s Brookside Market—you’ve likely noticed all the construction happening on the west side of the store. This is going to big a big improvement for a neighborhood! Recently I stopped by and spoke with Gary Arb, Store Director, to find out the details.
This is a huge expansion for the market—one that has been planned for a while. Gary explained the store is being built out 18 feet to the west, adding much more square footage for more food options and services. The old outdoor patio has been removed; the new plans include a large indoor eating area with public rest rooms. All of the refrigerated items, including the grab and go selections, will be in closed cold cases with doors—easier to keep these items chilled when storms cause electrical service disruption. There will still be a hot and cold food bar, plus a new Panini press for sandwiches, new islands, and the floral department will move to the new space. The current “center” of the store, displaying canned goods, snacks, bread, and other basic food items will not change. The wine department will expand, adding more varieties, and there will be a beer cold case in the liquor aisle. You;ll see new flooring in the entire store and there are no plans to change the entrance and parking lot. Gary also mentioned they are adding a couple of self service check out lanes for customers, “just out of necessity for those who have a couple of quick items to buy.”
Way back in 1948, two brothers started a small neighborhood grocery that eventually grew into Cosentino’s Food Stores. The same family still operates the company today, which includes the KC area Price Chopper and Sunfresh stores. Gary has been at this location for five years, after working at a few other Price Chopper locations including the Brookside store. He loves the job, describing himself as a “people person”, and especially likes greeting the same regular customers, watching the youngsters in the neighborhood grow up and continue to shop here. “My biggest joy in this job is the people; I’d be in trouble if I was in a cubicle! Our family owners are committed to the neighborhoods they are in—they know the area residents are what make us successful. We try our best to give back to them and improving this store is another way we can show our gratitude for their business.”
Gary Orb, Store Manager
Knowing that most large construction projects don’t finish on time, Gary is hopeful the construction is finished and customers can shop the new space by the busy Thanksgiving shopping season. Although the construction mess is a bit inconvenient and noisy–it will all be worth it in the end for a stylish, updated Brookside grocery!
The Garmin Kansas City Marathon will disrupt traffic for several hours tomorrow-Saturday Oct 19, 2024. Major streets such as 75th, Ward Parkway, Troost, Broadway and 47th through the Plaza will be inaccessible most of the morning.
What is Hümanette?? You’ve seen the bright pink letters splashed across the windows of the building at 118 W 63rd St, formerly the home of Brookside Barkery & Bath. It’s not a restaurant or bar or boutique; technically you could say it has aspects of all three of those things! Hümanette is a space for kids to play while parents and caregivers socialize and work. It’s a unique concept that our neighborhood has been enthusiastically welcomed!
Jamie Hickey
I stopped by recently to talk with Jamie Hickey, Co-Founder and Head of Operations, about her new business. Jamie explained she was inspired by the European way of raising children where “kids are more incorporated into adults’ lives. We want everyone to feel welcome here, not just children, or people with children”. Designed for youngsters from 0-6 years old, Hümanette offers two large playrooms where kids can climb, slide, read, and play with toys and art supplies. Parents and caregivers stay and oversee their kids (this is not a drop-off-the- kids place), while socializing with other adults or work at a nearby table. Light meals and snacks are available for purchase; there’s a coffee bar and coming soon–beer and wine options. There is also a dedicated co-work room for private meetings. “We want to support families holistically; all aspects of family life. We plan to roll out parent networking meet-ups, a Moms happy hour, informational meetings, and of course private events like baby showers and birthday parties.”
Like so many other new small businesses, Jamie came up with the idea for Hümanette during the isolating COVID days. She had one child and was working as an urban planner for KCMO; her second baby arrived during the pandemic. As a mom with two children stuck in her home, she really felt isolated as a new mother. She wanted to get out and interact with others. And with so many people working from home full time now, she wanted to find a way for parents to combine work and playtime for the kids, outside of the house. She and her cousin Claire Tully Markus (who lives in Connecticut) started working on a plan for the play/work cafe five years ago. She first looked at this space in November 2022. “We knew Brookside was the community we wanted to be a part of, and our research data confirmed it. It took a while for us to build out this space but we love it here. The Brookside Business Association has been so welcoming and so has the neighborhood.”
Hümanette is a bright, clean space with soft colors and wood accents. There are no TV screens or toys with batteries that make noise. “We want kids to be active and explore the entire space. There’s always a staff person walking around, too, to keep an eye on what’s happening.” Jamie loves to see the spontaneous conversations between parents as the kids play–and this is the point: getting out and meeting other families, striking up new friendships. Although Hümanette focuses on younger children, there are some board games and Legos for older siblings up to age ten. Looking for a unique gift for new parents?Humanette has gift cards too!
Hümanette is a membership based business however walk-ins are welcome, as are people looking for a snack or drink, even without children! Find out more information on their website.Next time youare strollingalong 63rd St–stop in and take a look!
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 