Kansas City Restaurant Week Begins Friday!

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It’s that time of year…after all the holiday hoopla, it’s time to reset and get ready for Restaurant Week here in Kansas City, January 12 through the 21st.  Everyone I know dreads the daily question “what should we have for dinner?” or “let’s go out for dinner, where??”. With some advance planning, you can try some new spots in the area and support your neighborhood favorites as well. While browsing through the long list of almost 200 participants, I noticed several places I’d like to try! Here’s the catch–best to make reservations now because the popular spots fill up fast. Invite some friends…and make it a fun social evening in the middle of a normally dull and dreary month.

Because this blog is focused on Brookside and Waldo, as of this writing, these are the local restaurants participating. Note I am not linking to the individual websites; easier to go to the KC Restaurant Week website and look up the place you want in order to see the special menus they are offering.

Aixois                   Red Door Woodfired Grill

Lew’s Grill and Bar             South of Summit Taqueria

Michael Forbes Bar and Grill        Summit Grill

Pizza Tascio                Waldo Pizza

Charlie Hooper’s              Plate

Boru                    Smitty’s Garage

Lunch offerings run around $15-$20, and the three course dinner menus vary in pricing depending on the restaurant; usually between $35-$55, tipping not included. Some places offer the specials for carryout/delivery.

Kansas City Restaurant Week not only promotes so many of our locally owned restaurants but also has an annual charitable partner. This year it is Kanbe’s Markets, which works to eliminate food waste, and provide fresh fruits and vegetables to area small markets and convenience stores. A portion of the money collected is donated to this organization.

To close things out, I’ll mention a few interesting places that are new to KC Restaurant Week this year: Noka, Nine Zero One, Voo Lounge, The Spot, and Society KC if you need some inspiration!

Get out and enjoy a great meal or two during KC Restaurant week and…thank you for supporting local business!

Waldo Home Sales Report-November 2023

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Here we go…into two weeks of holiday hoopla, multiple trips to the grocery store, airport runs, packing and unpacking, enjoying those special home cooked recipes and seeing the innocent joy of the season on every kid’s face. Is this too sentimental?? OK let’s get on with the show…below are single family home sales for Waldo last month; I use the street boundaries of State Line-Holmes and Gregory to 85th for the report:

november 2023november 2022
Median list price:  $315,000 $242,500
Median sales price:  $315,000  $257,000
Days on market:   3   4
No. of homes sold:   29   20

There are some interesting stats here; compared to Brookside, the number of homes sold increased compared to a year ago, and prices rose by 22%!! I suspect some buyers finally got used to the fact that interest rates are not going down to 3%, or even 5% anytime soon so they finally made a purchase. The lowest closed price was $70,000 and the highest was $525,000. Here are the year-to-date stats:

jan-nov 2023jan-nov 2022
Median list price: $295,000  $265,000
Median sales price:  $300,000  $278,000
Days on market:   3   3
No. of homes sold:  272  303

The trend for the year has been buyers paying a bit over the list price and prices increasing from last year. Still a lot of demand as you can see–most houses go under contract very quickly, within a few days. The number of homes closed decreased by 11%, due to interest rate hikes causing some buyers leaving the market.

Currently there are just 8 homes listed in Waldo, with a median price of $314,750 and 22 days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats-November 2023

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Such a busy time of year and I haven’t been posting as much as usual…there are a few new local businesses to highlight as well as the monthly home sales stats; however work and social events are crowding the calendar!! Will start with the Brookside home sales stats for last month and post Waldo/Armour Hills next week. Here we go!

november 2023november 2022
Median list price:$515,000$475,000
Median sales price:$485,000$472,500
Days on market: 3 8
No. of homes sold: 19 19

Compared to a year ago, the median sales price rose just over 2.5%; the same number of homes changed hands and it looks like sellers were in a bargaining mood to get properties sold before the holidays as buyers paid less than list price. The lowest closed sale last month was $300K and the highest was $2.399,000. Here are the year to date numbers:

jan-nov 2023jan-nov 2022
Median list price:$550,000$489,900
Median sales price:$570,000$500,000
Days on market: 3 3
No. of homes sold: 231 273

And the year to date trend is consistent…most buyers pay over list price, most homes go under contract quickly and fewer homes have sold (by 15% compared to 2022). Home values are up 14%. Currently there are 19 homes for sale in the 64113 Brookside zip code, with a median price of $550,000 and 74 days on market.

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

New Listing in South Waldo! Under $250K!

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This is a good one….new listing today in south Waldo at 8024 Jefferson St. The seller has made significant improvements and it’s move in ready!

Exterior improvements include newer siding, windows, roof, gutters, garage door, driveway and storm doors.

Newer kitchen! Stainless steel appliances, all stay, including the washer dryer that is in the half bath on the first floor.

Also on the first floor, a large living room with wood burning fireplace and a flex rom–perfect for home office or play.

Upstairs, two bedrooms plus a full bath. And don’t miss the spacious screened in porch that overlooks the firepit in the fenced yard!

More pictures online! Or contact me for extra information. Offered at $239,000. Listed by Mary Hutchison, Better Homes and Gardens-Kansas City Homes.

Waldo Home Sales Report-October 2023

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Well this month is certainly slipping away fast…as the last two months of the year usually do!! So I’d better get these Waldo home sales stats out–and here they are–single family home sales for Waldo last month, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes, Gregory to 85th St:

october 2023october 2022
Median list price:$277,500$294,000
Median sales price:$294,000$290,000
Days on market: 3 13
No. of homes sold: 20 22

Waldo continues to be a strong market for sellers–you can see buyers paid about 6% over the list price last month; median sales price just a bit over 1% compared to October 2022. The lowest closed price was $180,000 and the highest was $405,000.

Here are the year-to-date numbers:

jan-oct 2023jan-oct 2022
Median list price:$280,000$267,000
Median sales price:$290,000$280,000
Days on market: 3 3
No. of homes sold: 221 258

So far this year, Waldo home values are up about 3.5%; and 14% fewer homes have sold. There are currently 12 active listings in Waldo, with a median price of $302,250 and 26 days on market.

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

Waldo Small Crawl Happening This Week

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Time to walk off the extra calories you may have indulged in over the weekend!! The annual Waldo Small Crawl is going on now through Friday December 1st.

Many Waldo businesses are participating–when you shop this week in Waldo, check for special discounts and gifts from various shops and restaurants, including Hiles Two, Hemma Hemma, Front Range Cafe and many more.

The best and most personal gifts are found at our locally owned small businesses–and usually they have the best customer service too! Thank you for supporting our neighborhood!

Brookside Home Sales Report – Oct 2023

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It’s the week of Thanksgiving 2023–lots to do!! And besides all the visiting, cooking, travel and general hoopla–remember to be grateful for this life…and your home. Now, on to the home sales stats for Brookside last month, using the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

october 2023october 2022
Median list price:$562,500$584,475
Median sales price:$570,000$622,500
No. of homes sold: 20 18
Days on market: 3 3

Last month buyers paid just over 1% of list price, and yet the median price was down 8.4% compared to October 2022. The lowest closed price was $425,000 and the highest was $1.6 million, which was $25K over the asking price! Year-to-date stats below:

Jan-Oct 2023jan-0ct 2022
Median list price:$554,500$497,000
Median sales price:$575,000$500,500
No. of homes sold: 212 254
Days on market: 3 3

So far this year, 16% fewer homes changed owners in Brookside; home values are up 14% YTD. There are 18 homes listed in Brookside, with a median price of $690K and 66 days on the market. Several of the multi million dollar homes have been sitting on the market a while, increasing overall days on market.

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

Meddy’s Recently Opened in Brookside

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You probably noticed the facelift going on this summer at the SW corner of 63rd and Brookside Plaza, last occupied by Panera. The trucks clustered at that intersection for weeks as the interior and exterior was transformed to the latest location of Meddy’s, a Mediterranean food spot.

I was unable to connect with the manager of Meddy’s to get some additional information for the blog; however, I decided to write about this new place anyway because it seems to be a big hit with the neighborhood–it’s quite busy every time I walk by! And I can understand why: Meddy’s offers a different menu of flavors with a wide variety of options and prices, plus gluten free, vegan and vegetarian food choices.

Founder Alex Harb is from Lebanon and attended college in Wichita. After a successful career in IT and computer sales, he decided to start a fast casual restaurant with recipes based on his childhood. There are several locations in Wichita and the chain recently expanded to the KC area, opening in Prairie Village earlier this year.

Meddy’s boasts they make everything they serve “daily from scratch”; there are many shawarmas on the menu, along with grill focused platters featuring meat, potatoes, tabbouleh, hummus and eggplant. Soups and salads are also available and and several dessert options! Meddy’s has a full bar with happy hour (20% off bar items) Monday through Friday 11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm and all day on Saturday and Sunday. And as a nice perk for parents, kids can order “mini Meddy’s” from the menu. Catering is also a big part of their business.

So, Brookside welcomes another food option for the neighborhood…we have Italian, burgers and bar food, Mexican, sushi, a couple of breakfast spots, fast food sandwiches and now the authentic Mediterranean flavors of Meddy’s. Stop by and check it out for yourself; Meddy’s is open seven days a week.

Brookside Shops Ready for Holiday Shoppers!

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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!!

Salumi Rose – Now Open in Waldo

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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.