Tag Archives: brookside blog

Welcome to Brookside – Luca Bagel Co.

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Brookside loves bagels!  And finally, the long awaited Luca Bagel has opened at 633 E 63rd St.  It’s a real treat to have a freshly baked bagel–and we are lucky this storefront landed in our neighborhood.  If you shop at the Overland Park Farmer’s Market, you’ve likely seen the very long lines at their pop up tent on Saturdays.  This is a high quality, Jersey style bagel that people will wait in line for.

Luke Salvatore

Luke Salvatore is the owner of Luca Bagel; if that name sounds familiar, it’s because he and  his brother operate Providence Pizza in Grandview , and have since expanded to two other locations.  A few years ago, Luke began experimenting with various recipes and started selling the bagels  on Saturday mornings at the Grandview restaurant.  Talking with friends involved with the OP Farmer’s Market, he decided to open a stand there on Saturdays.  Word spread about the tasty treats and long lines started forming well before the market’s 7:30am official open time.  At this point, Luke was still baking at the Grandview store and with the “massive” response to the OP pop up, he started to look for a brick and mortar location.  He thought the Brookside would be a good spot because customers spoke fondly of the old Bagel and Bagel store that was here for many years.  Plus, he knew the neighborhood liked to support local businesses. When the former Mattie’s vegan restaurant space opened up–it was “the right place at the right time” according to Luke.   I asked him how many bagels they typically bake over the weekend–about 4000 pieces.

Besides your typical bagel toppings (a gluten free option is available too), Luca sells breakfast and lunch sandwiches.  Popular breakfast orders include the traditional bacon, egg and cheese option and the tomato, cucumber, lox, onions and capers combination.  Lunch sandwiches feature a pastrami on bagel and the “Jersey pork roll”, offering thinly sliced, Taylor ham shipped in from New Jersey.  And for a sweet treat–the traditional black and white cookie is baked on site!  This new location can be as popular as the OP market site; peak busy times are Saturday and Sunday around 10am so plan accordingly!

Stop by Luca Bagel, 633 E 63rd St, and check it out–the vibe inside is laid back and relaxed, with a friendly staff and catchy music on the sound system. This place definitely has it’s own funky personality.  Luca Bagel is open every day except Monday.  

New Mexican Restaurant Opens in Brookside

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You may have heard a new restaurant has opened in the former Brady and Fox space at 751 E 63rd St…the cuisine is Mexican, it’s locally owned and operated and I stopped by recently to find out more. Welcome to Brookside Muy Caleinte Mexican Grill and Cantina!

Alexa Rivera and Gepsivos Ramos

Two families have teamed up to open this place..actually it’s two father/daughter owner- operators:  Fredy and Alexa Rivera, and Noel and Gepsivos Ramos.  The Ramos team also owns El Plato in Lees Summit.  Alexa and Gepsivos told me they considered a few locations for Muy Caleinte, but decided on this spot because they “wanted to bring something to the community that’s homey and welcoming.  People in this area are very supportive  of small businesses”. The name they chose means very spicy and flavorful…and you’ll find some unique items on the menu that back up that claim.

The tamales are homemade, “made with love” as Alexa says, and come stuffed with chicken, pork, or rice and beans. You can also purchase them by the dozen.  Tacos are deep fried with meat inside and pinned together with toothpicks.  Margaritas, queso and guacamole are made in house and the huge, one pound Caliente burger is served on artisan bread imported from Mexico, with fried jalapenos and a special dressing. On weekends, you can order the quesabirra: shredded beef and cheese dipped in a special broth,  cooked inside  a crispy tortilla on the flattop grill.  Or try the menudo, a type of spicy soup with cow’s tripe and hominy.  Breakfast is served all day.  

Muy Caliente Mexican Grill and Cantina is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10am-9pm; eventually they will open Sundays and add happy hour specials.  Right now they are getting adjusted to the new space and working out the hundreds of details involved with opening a restaurant…still, Alexa and Gepsivos invite you to stop in soon and enjoy a meal on the patio or have a beverage at the bar.  Muy Caliente is at 751 E 63rd St; at the corner of 63rd and Rockhill.

Cafe Corazon Offers New Tastes and Flavors in Brookside

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There are many, many places to get coffee and other beverages in the Brookside/Waldo area, so what’s different about the newest spot, Cafe Corazon?   This is a cafe where you experience “cultural coffee”–a wide variety of blends and flavors based on the owner’s Latin American roots.  Here you can try unique, tasty drink combinations not available in the usual spots. We all love our homegrown coffee cafes in the neighborhood–here’s another one with a twist to try!

Dulcinea Herrer

Owner Dulcinea Herrer says the company chose Brookside for its third location (after Westport and the Crossroads) because the neighborhood supports locally owned businesses.  “The Morningside Shops have the same landlord as our Westport cafe, and when we found out about this spot we knew we would get a lot of neighborhood business.  And we wanted to bring something different to Brookside”.  One of those distinct drinks is the Yerba Mate–Dulcinea watched her grandfather drink it as she was growing up in Argentina.  The flavor comes from a loose leaf plant, often used for digestion.  It is served in a special cup with a specific way to drink it – using a spoon, and is served hot or cold.  Other frequently ordered items include a latte flight, the expresso martini, and the high tea service. Dulcinea notes that 100% of their coffee beans are ethically sourced, and are roasted on site at the Crossroads location.   Breakfast burritos are served all day, and the tamales and empanadas come from Pinole Blue, a Kansas based company.  You’ll also find breakfast sweets and cookies at the shop, plus a chocolate box based on a collaboration with Christopher Elbow chocolates and coffee; there are specialty cocktails and wine available too.   Cafe Corazon offers full service catering and an expresso cart that will travel to your location!

If you want to try something a little different than your normal coffee or cocktail routine, stop by Cafe Corazon at 5911 Main in the Morningside Shops.  They are open seven days a week.  “We want people to come by and experience something outside of normal…while you are here try something fun and new!” says Dulcinea. 

The Brookside Sidewalk Sale Starts Today!

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July is one of the biggest months for sales–so plan on visiting the Brookside shops this weekend and pick up some deals!!!

The dates are July 10-12, and so many businesses are participating: A Store Named Stuff, LADYCO, EB&Co, The Grove Spa and Boutique, Homegrown, Brookside Toy and Science…and so many more! Part of the charm of this event is just wandering through the stores, finding that certain special something you didn’t know you needed but want to buy–for yourself or someone else…and at a discount!

In addition, on Saturday the paper shredding event is happening behind Jalapeno’s from 8-11am. You can bring up to two boxes (or paper bags) of shreddable paper for free disposal.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside Shops!

Patio Fest Happens Thursday in Brookside!

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As a Realtor, many buyers tell me they prefer a “walkable neighborhood”, close to shops and restaurants. Brookside is one of the best walkable areas in the KC metro area– and this Thursday June 12 you can stroll the shopping district listening to live, local music as it’s performed on patios and sidewalks during the Brookside Patio Fest.

From 6-10pm, several local businesses are hosting these performing artists for your listening pleasure! The Roasterie, A Store Named Stuff, Charlie Hoopers, Meddy’s and Jalapeno’s and others are participating; many places are offering specials as well. Gather some friends and make a night of it-or just walk over after dinner for an evening stroll to enjoy the tunes. Thanks to the Brookside Business Association for organizing this annual event!

Brookside Home Sales Report – March 2025

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There were some big dollar home sales in Brookside last month, pushing up the median sales price quite a bit. I remember when million dollar home sales in Brookside were rare! Let’s take a look at the details–these are the stats for single family home sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

march 2025march 2024
Median list price:$615,000$475,000
Median sales price:$625,000$520,000
Days on market:22
No. of homes sold:2117

Last month five homes closed over $1,000,000–the highest sale was $1,999,000; the lowest was $359,000. That pushed the median sales price up 20% from last year, and a few more homes sold in March 2025. Here are the year-to-date numbers:

jan-march 2025jan-march 2024
Median list price:$585,000$510,000
Median sales price:$590,000$517,000
Days on market:43
No. of homes sold:4944

So far this year, home values are up 14% over last year…sellers are, for the most part, getting list price or more. The number of homes changing owners remains steady.

Currently there are 8 single family homes for sale in Brookside, with a median price of $595,000. The lowest price home is $440k and the highest is $1.2 million.

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Report – February 2025

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Several homes changed owners last month in Armour Hills–we had another sale that crossed the $700K mark! Let’s take a look at the numbers; Armour Hills is the largest subdivision in Brookside with about 1100 single family homes.

february 2025february 2024
Median list price:$452,000$400,000
Median sales price:$447,500$410,000
Days on market:3312
No. of homes sold:83

The median price jumped 9% since last February, however, note that many more homes closed last month. The lowest closed price was $340,000 and the highest was $727.000 ($28K over the list price!). Here are the year-to-date numbers:

jan-feb 2025jan-feb 2024
Median list price:$470,000$400,000
Median sales price:$460,000$410,000
Days on market:255
No. of homes sold:97

Home values are up 12% over the first two months of last year however…we have a wide range of home prices here in Armour Hills and when the higher priced homes sell, especially in a bidding war, prices go up fast. Currently there are no homes for sale in Armour Hills–that could change tomorrow!.

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Report – January 2025

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This will be a brief blog! A quick recap of the home sales in Armour Hills for last month, usually a slow month for home sales due to weather.

January 2025january 2024
Median list price:$475,000$425,000
Median sales price:$472,000$425,000
Days on market:94
No. of homes sold:14

To kick off 2025, just one home closed in Armour Hills in January. It was on the market for a little over a week, and closed a bit below the asking price. Compare that to January 2024, when 4 homes closed for a median price of $425,000.

Currently there are two homes listed in Armour Hills, with a median price of $545,000 and two days on the market. Interesting note before signing off: 9 homes have been listed in Armour Hills since January 1, and each of them went under contract within 2 days. Most Armour Hills homes go under contract within a few days of listing–another reason there isn’t much inventory. Gotta act fast!

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

Brookside Home Sales Report – 2024 Stats and 5 Year Comparison

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The 2024 Brookside home sales stats are in …so this is the time to see how much our home values are rising compared to years past. There is a reason owning a home is a good investment: because the value usually goes up, not down, and that is certainly the case for Brookside. Let’s take a look at the numbers; I’m using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 for the stats:

20242023202220212020
Median
list price:		$562,500$550,000$489,900$459,950$419,000
Median sales price:$575,000$572,500$500,000$475,000$415,000
Days on market:33338
# of homes sold: 264246295338327

Looking at 2024 as a whole, buyers paid about 2% over asking price, and most homes went under contract within a few days of listing. The number of homes changing owners was up 7.3% compared to 2023. The lowest closed price of 2024 was $260K and the highest was $5.78 million.

The five year trend shows us home values have risen 38% since 2020 and the number of homes up for sale has steadily gone down; people are choosing to live in their homes longer and hang on to the lower interest rates. Overall, there was a 7% increase in value between 2023 and 2024.

At this time there are 12 single family home listings in Brookside, with a median list price of $671,000. Five homes are priced over $1million; the lowest listed price is $309,900 and the highest is $2,79 million.

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

Brookside Home Sales Report – November 2024

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Last month, Brookside had it’s highest closed sales price for the year–over $5,000,000! Read on for the full breakdown of the stats. Higher interest rates have not slowed down home sales in our neighborhood-I think buyers have accepted that an above 6% rate is the norm now. Who knows what will happen next year? Let’s take a look at the numbers; I’m using the primary zip code of 64113 for these stats:

november 2024november 2023
Median list price: $530,000$515,000
Median sales price:$537,500$485,000
Days on market:113
No. of homes sold:2519

The lowest closed price last month was $315,000 and the highest was just under $5.8 million–cash purchase!! It was a house in the Sunset Hill area. Sales prices were up 10.8% compared to last November, and more homes closed. Below are the year-to-date numbers:

jan-nov 2024jan-nov 2023
Median list price:$549,950$550,000
Median sales price:$560,000$570,000
Days on market:33
No. of homes sold:245231

Overall, prices are down almost 2% for the year; 6% more homes have changed owners and — many buyers still paying over the list price. It’s difficult for me to type these words: the median price of a Brookside home is now over half a million dollars! But remember, there are no “formal” boundaries for Brookside; I use the 64113 zip code to check numbers, and the boundaries for 64113 are: 55th St to Gregory; State Line to Oak.

Currently there are 17 listings in Brookside, ranging in price from $329K-$4,950,000.

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