What a lovely Fall weekend we have for the annual Brookside Holiday Season Opener!! Temps right around 60 during the day; not too cold at night; perfect for strolling along 63rd St and getting in the holiday spirit!
Festivities begin tonight (Thurs Nov 9) with live music from the Holiday Trombones playing from 5:30-6:30; the tree lighting is at 6:00pm, plus an appearance from Santa–all happening at the Bank Midwest Plaza ( on 63rd St next to Starbucks). The shops will be open late and many are offering specials and giveaways; don’t forget the nearby restaurants for refueling! This is the perfect weekend to leisurely browse and get inspired for a few perfect gifts or stocking stuffers–and pick up a few special deals.
The Brookside Holiday Season Opener runs through Sunday afternoon–please join in and thank you for supporting our locally owned small businesses!!
As we get closer to the festive holiday season, the new Waldo shop Salumi Rose (7443 Broadway, just south of Waldo Pizza) is a place you should know about! Salumi Rose describes itself as a “charcuterie experience”…and in more ways than one.
Salumi Rose, 7443 Broadway
Yes, you can pre order charcuterie boards for a party or holiday gathering; however at Salumi Rose you can also learn to make your own board in one of their workshops; or pick up all the fixings to create your own board at home. You have options!
Kris Beckman
I stopped in recently to chat with Kris Beckman about the shop; she’s the face of the business running the day to day operations of the storefront, and her good friend Alice Arrendondo helps with the website and the vision of Salumi Rose. Kris described the origins of Salumi Rose: while on vacation, the pair took a charcuterie and wood burning class at a resort. They had a blast and knew the concept, with a few tweaks, would be a hit in Kansas City. After hosting events at a few venues, including Marco Polo Selections (a wine shop/tasting room at 336 W 75th St ), Kris and Alice got in touch with Diane Botwin of Botwin Family Partners—who own several buildings in Waldo, including Marco Polo’s space. They had an instant connection with Diane and knew this open spot would work well as a combination retail and workshop area. Kris explained: “People want experiences and useful gifts; we feel what we offer gives our guests not only a new skill but a fun experience.” They are also starting a monthly book club and will host small events like team building, bridal shower, client appreciation, etc. personalizing each to best fit the client.
Char Cutie box of goodies
Inside this location, guests can pick up the stylish and tasty pre-ordered boards, and have a cozy place to gather, shop and create. There are grab and go “Char-Cutie” boxes for just $10, featuring a selection of meat, cheeses and other tasty fresh bites. If you want the ingredients to create your own board at home, Salumi Rose has a cooler stocked with meats and cheeses (vendors include Underground Meats, Alma Creamery and Milton Creamery), plus shelves full of crackers, spreads, cute napkins, glasses, wood boards and other items for your inspiration.
Stop in Salumi Rose Wednesday through Saturday to take a look around. Hours are posted on their Facebook and Instagram (@salumirose) pages; you can also reach them via email at contact@salumirose.com.
What makes shopping in Brookside so special is…you are going to find things here that you will not findin a generic chain store. Everyone likes to have something unique and personal! And now Brookside has a new store that is a step beyond that—a shop that features local Kansas City area makers, Shop Local KC. Inside you’ll find a large, stylish selection of handmade goods showing off the many creative talents in the metro area.
Owner Katie Mabry van Dieren earned a degree in journalism from Kansas State University and was planning on being a lawyer. She discovered this would be a boring path for her—she wanted to nourish her creative streak. So, Katie started making jewelry and participating in the Strawberry Swing Craft Fair. Eventually she took it over and when COVID forced changes to the event, she decided to showcase local craft makers online and started Shop Local KC. Katy quickly expanded to a storefront on Main St in midtown (now closed to open the Brookside space) and two other locations: Crown Center and at 95th and Mission Road inside NBKC in the Ranchmart Shopping Center. And she still runs the annual Strawberry Swing event! This is the 13th year for Holiday Swing, which creates a holiday shopping village in the Crown Center Square next to the Ice Terrace.
Katie Mabry van Dieren, left and Jenny Kane
At Shop Local KC’s Brookside location, Jenny Kane is the shop manager—she is Katie’s longtime friend and photographer. You can browse on your own or ask Jenny for help finding gifts and personal presents: browse the jewelry, pottery, seasonal towels and décor, apparel, notebooks and candles. Best sellers include Messner Bee Farms honey, lotions and lip balm and graphic tee shirts. Shop Local KC represents over 300 local artisans and all of their items can be ordered online for delivery as well. There is also a floral section with flowers from local growers including a nearby Amish farm. Stop in for a grab and go bouquet, or order an arrangement for delivery. Actually all of their items can be ordered online for delivery as well!
Katie is a long time Brookside resident and lives nearby with her husband and two children. She wanted to open a Brookside spot because through the years, “Brookside has kept its historic original architecture and sense of a close, local neighborhood community. And that is what our shop is all about: promoting the creativity of local makers.”
Shop KC Local is open seven days a week at 6245 Brookside Plaza, on the same block as Foos and SKINKC. Visit them online at www.shoplocalkc.com for browsing and delivery options.
Everyone seems to have their favorite type of pizza: some prefer a very thin crust with light toppings; some want deep dish; others crave a thicker, chewy crust heavy with cheese, meat and veggies.
And then there is New York style pizza, which is what you will find at Waldo’s newest pizza place, Pizza Tascio at 409 W Gregory. What defines New York style? According to owner Erik Borger, who grew up in New York City, a NY style pizza features a “thin crust, definitely foldable, with light toppings and a crispy, flavor filled crust.” Are you craving a slice yet???
Erik’s “obsession” (yes he used that word) with perfecting his type of pizza started years ago. He was caring for his father who was battling cancer. Dad and son were craving the pizza tastes of their younger days growing up in NYC, so Erik decided to make his own. At one point he had six commercial ovens in the garage at his St Joseph home, trying to figure out the perfect temperatures and flavors. When he finally got the recipe right, he opened the first Pizza Tascio there in 2021. In 2022 he opened a second location on Burlington in North KC and the Waldo location is…#7 in the metro area! I asked Erik if he was a bit exhausted and overwhelmed with the fast growth. “This location has been much busier than I expected. It’s far exceeded my expectations and we haven’t been open that long. However, I have a really good team and they keep everything running smoothly”.
There are a few unique things about this pizza to note. First, he offers one size of pie-18”. Most “large” size pizzas are smaller than that, so even though the cost is a little higher, you are getting more of a high quality product. These large pies are divided 8 ways for slices, and at Pizza Tascio you will get a large slice for as little as $5! The superior ingredients Erik uses make a big difference that you can taste: meats are sourced from Paradise Meats in Trimble MO; organic Napoli tomatoes from California, and he uses only 100% whole milk mozzarella. I asked Erik about the phrase “no BS added” to the cheese he uses as stated on the website. He explained that most cheese has a fungicide added to prevent mold; he only uses cheese without any chemicals added. It took a while but he found a source for his chemical free cheese…that is his strict dedication to perfection. The menu focuses on various pizza combos of course, including an “upside down” pizza; there’s a salad option, a dessert pizza and cheesy breadsticks. You can dine in or pick up curbside.
Pizza Tascio is located in the former Classic Cookie spot at 409 W Gregory. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm.
The Waldo Area Business Assn has a new District Manager, Sean Anderson. He’s in charge of the Waldo CID (Community Improvement District) and will monitor two large, connected projects slated to start next month centered around the busy intersection of 75th St and Wornall Rd. Read on for details about these plans, which will affect transit and pedestrian traffic at this location for the next several months.
The Waldo Road Improvements work has been planned for years. From 74th to 79th St along Wornall, you’ll eventually see much needed changes: a better streetscape and more landscaping; new LED streetlights, new and wider sidewalks, new traffic signals and a reconstructed Wornall Road in this area to improve traffic flow. Water main lines will also be replaced from 75th-77th St. According to the KCMO Engineering Division web page, work should begin later this year. (It was supposed to start in 2016—we all know how slowly government tackles projects!)
Sean Anderson
And around the same time….the entire block The Well sits on will be torn down and demolished to make way for a large apartment complex.
The EPC Real Estate Group is building 278 units at this corner; the complex is currently referred to as Waldo 74 Broadway. This same company built the apartments called 51 Main, on top of the Whole Foods. Yes, this project is tax abated and 20% of the units will be “affordable housing”. There will be studios, one and two bedroom apartments. Plans also include a 364 slot parking garage, a courtyard in the middle of the apartments and The Well will be rebuilt at the base with a covered rooftop. At the same time, the parking area/bus transit station directly in front of The Well will be enhanced, with a better defined Trolley Track Trail route and a “transit shack” for bus drivers to relax and take a break. Sean tells me demolition for this project is scheduled for early next month. Once these projects get going, he hopes to have a landing page on the WABA website for public updates.
Sean left a job in Wyandotte County to work for Waldo; he was developing programs for homeless persons with mental health and substance abuse changes. He lives in Waldo, plays several instruments, has two bands (The Road Show Drifters and Rumble Ghost) and recently got engaged. Originally from Denver, he loves living in Waldo and is looking forward to meeting more area business owners and residents.
Once demolition and construction begins at 75th and Wornall—this area will be even more of a mess to drive (and walk!) through. Be patient and plan new routes accordingly!
Several of the new businesses that have opened in Brookside and Waldo over the past few months are women owned (Ampersand, Roots and Branches, LADYCO has expanded); the new Executive Director of the Waldo Business Assn is also female. Women are getting it done!! Today I’m writing about Sharing Sunshine, another female owned business that actually started a few years ago online and recently opened a storefront in Waldo.
Kristen Moon and Kristen Sayers, Sharing Sunshine
Kristen Moon and Kristen Sayers met several years ago while working in the NICU at Children’s Mercy Hospital. They also live across the street from each other in Prairie Village. Having seven young children between them, Kristen and Kristen decided to start an online consignment store focusing on high end children’s clothing (think Hannah Anderson, Beaufort and Bonnet, Bailey Boys, Boden, Pink Chicken, Burberry). In 2022, they began the business with 100 items online and then moved to doing pop up events and selling via Instagram. There was so much demand for the clothes and the inventory was filling up their homes, so last fall they started looking for a physical store to open. This space in Waldo at 407 W Gregory (next to new Pizza Tascio) is the perfect spot: just the right size, no renovation was needed and it’s close to their homes. As a bonus, the majority of their clients live within 15 minutes of the shop.
Part of the inspiration for Sharing Sunshine came from their experience of going to the huge warehouse consignment sales. “They were so large, so tiring to get through the inventory and you had to pay extra to get in early for the best selection. We knew there was a better way—especially since so many parents want to recycle these clothes that are often worn just a few times before the kids outgrow them” says Moon. They have over 200 active consigners, and sell gently used clothing ranging from infant through size 16 –through the early teen years. Sometimes they receive items with the original tags that have never been worn!
Kristen and Kristen love getting to know their customers and provide a very high level of service. If they know a particular customer is looking for a specific item or brand, they will watch for those items to come through. They also offer personal shopping, occasional 20% off promotions and there are racks of sale items in the store—inventory comes in almost every day! And of course, any unsold items will be returned to the seller or donated to charity.Note-the shop is usually always in need of more boys’ clothes.
Right now Sharing Sunshine doesn’t have set hours however, you can check Google for weekly hour updates. Also, follow them on Instagram (sharingsunshinekc) for up to the minute information. Welcome to Waldo Sharing Sunshine!
Just a quick reminder about the Brookside Sip and Shop tonight (Thursday June 22)! Stroll along 63rd St from 5-7pm and stop in local businesses for a cool beverage and hot deals! Several restaurants also having specials so make an evening of it!
Did you make a career change due to the COVID 19 pandemic? Jessica and Alex Wood did—and Brookside is better off for it!Their new ice cream shop is called FrenchCustard.
Alex and Jessica Wood, owners of French Custard
Pre pandemic, the Woods were living in Manhattan NYC; the couple had their own e- commerce clothing line, Discourse NYC. Jessica says they always like to “make our own stuff: we bake our own bread, make our own pizza, we ferment stuff” so when COVID hit and they reassessed priorities, the pair moved to Kansas City (where they are both from) and decided to make their own ice cream. “It was a COVID project” Jessica explains, “we love French custard ice cream, which is very popular in New York. There are so many artisan ice cream shops there and we missed being able to walk to our favorite spot for a treat”. Alex’s grandmother found an old 1980s ice cream maker in her basement (complete with instructions on a video cassette!!) and they started experimenting. They gave samples to friends, hosted several pop ups and based on the enthusiastic response, decided to open a storefront.
There are two different styles of ice cream, Jessica explains. The “Philadelphia style” is most common in the US—this style does not use eggs and does use a lot of stabilizers for consistency. Jessica and Alex prefer the French custard style, which uses only eggs, milk, cream, and sugar— no other additives. You can really tell the difference too: French Custard tastes very natural, fresh, and clean—rich and smooth with that special homemade burst of flavor. All of their ice cream is made in the back of the store and the flavors change often. Right now their best selling scoop is Salted Caramel Pretzel; other flavors include Brookside Butter Pecan, Fruity Pebbles, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Churro, Cookies and Cream and French Vanilla. Alex and Jessica also have quite a few collaborations going on with other local businesses; Heirloom Bakery sells their ice cream during their Wednesday Summer happy hour and Bacaro Primo (Italian restaurant in the Crestwood Shops) features French Custard ice cream on their menu.
Alex and Jessica live in Brookside, within walking distance of the store. “We are so excited to be open in Brookside; this is where we wanted to be. We feel we have something very special to add to the flavor of Brookside” says Jessica. “Everyone here is so very nice and helpful; French custard ice cream shops in NYC are very, very competitive. Here, it’s a very friendly atmosphere”.
French Custard is currently open Tuesday/Wed/Thursday from 2pm-9pm; Fridays from 2-10pm; Saturday noon-10pm and Sunday noon-9pm. French Custard is located at 5905 Main St, along the Trolley Track Trail in the Morningside Shops. Treat yourself soon!
The weather forecast looks good for this weekend–fortunately for two outdoor events you can check out! The biggie is the 37th Brookside Art Annual, at 63rd St and Brookside Plaza.
Booths open tomorrow, Friday May 5, at 5pm. Enjoy browsing through all sorts of local and regional art: painting, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, photography and a few pieces that will certainly make you ponder…what is it exactly?? In addition there are things for the kids to do: arts and crafts and face painting plus several food and snack options. The Art Annual continues on Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
Also happening on Saturday is the 2nd Annual Waldo Spring Fling, at the NE corner of Gregory and Wornall. This is a smaller, growing event and family friendly; several local Waldo businesses will have booths set up plus food trucks for noshing.
You can easily enjoy one or both outdoor events this weekend; remember to drive slowly near these two areas and watch for extra pedestrians and tight parking on side streets. Thank you for supporting our local Brookside and Waldo businesses and events!
Everyone needs some special indulgent treatment every so often, and one of the places you can do that is Roots and Branches Salon in Waldo. Formerly Hagoya Yoga and Massage, new owner Holly McPheter took over the space last fall and expanded the services offered.
There is a comfortable, nature vibe here, with the hair salon up front and center. Their stylists offer a full range of services for men and women, including cut, color, styling, waxing and extensions and a line of R+CO and Kevin Murphy products for purchase. In the back of the shop, enjoy a relaxing massage (choose from deep tissue, Hawaiian style, cupping and hard to find pre natal massage.) They are also the first studio with a certified teacher for Inferno Pilates. Holly is particularly proud of their yoga services: their “hot yoga” sessions are 105 degrees! If you are thinking about starting a yoga program, ask about their Friday happy hour “drop in “sessions” for $15.As you can see, their yoga studio is quite large!
You may know about the original Roots and Branches location in the River Market area. Holly opened that location nine years ago and wanted to expand south. She searched for another location for two years before finding this spot, knowing it was “meant to be. The brand was already established with yoga and we wanted to continue that. We love the close neighborhood atmosphere here and most of our customers are within a five mile radius”.
Beth Swarthout, Salon Coordinator and Holly McPheter, Owner
And for those of you looking for a special unique gift, besides the special hair products Roots and Branches has a wall of boutique items for sale, including local artwork, blankets, baby items and Nomatix yoga towels.
Roots and Branches is hosting an open house on Saturday April 22 from 3-6pm if you would like to come by and check out the space. Various vendors and local artists are participating; the staff is looking forward to meeting more folks that live in the nieghborhood! Roots and Branches is located at 515 W 75th St. You can also book appointments online.
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 