Brookside’s Shop Beautiful Has Closed

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

It’s been a longtime Brookside shop, since 1936! And now it’s closed. I always admired their beautiful, eye catching window displays at 320 W 63rd St. Shop Beautiful sold their inventory and shut the doors last week.

Shop Beautiful is a family run small business–and this store was small, just around 800 square feet. The service was friendly, and browsing the jewelry, handbags, scarves, candles, artwork and other unique gifts for sale was always fun. Like many Brookside shops, they offered free gift wrap!

Now Brookside and Waldo residents can travel to their larger store in Overland Park at 5001 W 119th St in Hawthorne Plaza. Same helpful service and complimentary gift wrap; same selection of interesting and eye catching merch–but more of it, because the OP store is much larger.

Hopefully another locally owned shop will move into the former 63rd St location…and stay at least 83 years!

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats-Nov 2018

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Armour Hills homes sales are steady…and so are prices, looking at year-to-year comparison. First up–here are November 2018 stats for the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside:

November 2018 November 2017

Median list price: $304,475 Median list price: $346,000

Median sales price: $309,100 Median sales price: $341,250

No. of homes sold: 4 No. of homes sold: 4

Days on market: 7 Days on market: 27

Although the sales prices were way down from last November, not to worry–more expensive homes sold a year ago and three of the four homes that closed were at or over list price. Take a look at the overall YTD numbers below:

Jan-Nov 2018 Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price: $315,000 Median list price: $315,000

Median sales price: $315,000 Median sales price: $314,000

No. of homes sold: 76 No. of homes sold: 89

Days on market: 9 Days on market: 9

The numbers are remarkably the same from one year ago, except that homes have been going under contract faster this year. Currently there are eleven homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $374,999 and 78 days on market. Prices range from $287,500 to $525,000.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Nov 2018

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Homebuyers are hibernating during the holiday season! It’s the traditional slow period–now through January. However, home values are up in Brookside compared to last year. Here are the stats for single family home sales in the Brookside zip code of 64113 for last month:

Nov 2018 Nov 2017

Medium list price: $418,000 Medium list price: $409,000

Medium sales price: $415,000 Medium sales price: $405,000

No. of homes sold: 15 No. of homes sold: 17

Days on market: 17 Days on market: 26

The number of homes closed was about the same, and homes went under contract faster. The lowest sales price was $257,000 and the highest was $1.57 million.

Here are YTD figures:

Jan-Nov 2018 Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price: $402,500 Median list price: $389,500

Median sales price: $396,000 Median sales price: $383,800

No. of homes sold: 260 No. of homes sold: 269

Days on market: 15 Days on market: 19

Prices are up just over 3% year-to-date. Currently there are 48 active listings in Brookside, with a median list price of $422,500 and 70 days on market. Over half of the homes for sale are priced over $400,000.

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

Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off Tonight in Brookside

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Today is the Annual Holiday Season Opener to kick off the shopping season in Brookside! Starting at 5pm stroll through the Brookside shops and check out the special deals and discounts.

Be sure to stop by and check out the live music and local schools’ children’s choirs getting you in the holiday spirit–from 6:30-7:30pm at the small park west of Starbucks on 63rd St. There will be giveaways as well, plus refreshments from The Roasterie, Price Chopper and Michael Forbes.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside businesses during the holiday shopping season! This event extends through Sunday!

Flying Horse Taproom-Now Open in Brookside East

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Another locally owned and operated business recently opened in Brookside East–Flying Horse Taproom at 600 E 63rd St. I stopped by recently and talked with General Manager Philip Nixon. The food looked so good I came back for dinner later that evening!

Here’s the scoop on the bar and what’s on tap: twenty-one craft beers, seven wines (that will rotate), Second Best Coffee Cold Brew and Lucky Elixir Kombucha. Coming soon: unique “oak barrel conditioned” cocktails. I tried two drinks: the Cucumber Ginger Lemonade and Strawberry Basil Gin. Delicious and refreshing! Nixon emphasized they support locally based purveyors, including Restless Spirits Distilling Co, Tom’s Town, Second Best Coffee and Glace Ice Cream (Nixon is working with Brewery Emperial and Glace for a special beer inspired flavor).

Philip Nixon, General Manager

As for the food…there are a couple of unique options on the appetizer menu, including the popular Beer Mug Pretzel from Pretzel Boys, ‘Nduja Dip (prosciutto, spices, peppers mixed with goat and cream cheeses) and Cheese Curds. There are several salad options featuring homemade dressings. And the flatbreads…with fresh ingredients and house made red sauce. We tried the Four Cheese Sausage Kale and The Classic; other options include Brookside Brie, the Cubano and a Thai Chicken Basil. For lighter appetites–it’s easy to fill up sharing a salad and flatbread.

Longtime Brooksiders may remember this spot at a Mobil gas station; current owner Trey Sabates (who owns Brookside Wine and Spirits next door), had the old tanks removed, teamed up with some friends and turned the station into the restaurant with a cozy patio in front. Inside, there is a full bar, several tables and artwork from Sabates private collection on the walls. Nixon has an extensive background in food service and trains the staff well–our waiter was sincere, friendly and attentive.

The Flying Horse Taproom is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-11pm and Sunday from 11am-9pm. Happy hour features $1 off all menu items and food is available to go. Stop by and welcome Philip and the staff to the neighborhood!

Brookside Market Days Begin Saturday

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

For the second year in a row, the Brookside Business Association is sponsoring Brookside Market Days, every Saturday in August…kicking off this Saturday Aug 4, 2018.

Start your day at the Brookside Farmers Market, then visit various shops for special events. For example, the New Dime Store is featuring pop up shops, beginning with Betsy Roo handmade greeting cards and prints this Saturday, followed by Willett Studios (handmade earrings) and Gypsee KC (woodburning art) on successive weekends. COCO also has pop up events; Worlds Window is featuring Shibori dyeing, Charlie Hoopers will offer $1.50 hot dogs!

In addition, buy a $10 Brookside Market Days reusable totebag (available at the market and New Dime Store) for extra discounts at places like Roasterie, Fiddly Fig, 5B & Co Candlemakers, Design in the City, Brookside Barkery and Worlds Window.

Live local! Support Brookside businesses and participate in Brookside Market Days–every Saturday in August. More details at www.brooksidekc.org.

Brookside East Welcomes New Businesses

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

The Brookside East area continues to grow, with more businesses on the way! Developer Butch Rigby recently finished adding a second story on to 633 E 63^rd St and has several new tenants lined up for the building:

New Strong and Counseling Services LLC – counseling

Wize Webz – advertising/web marketing office

Architexture Salon – hair salon

Vijay Home – home furnishings shop/design studio/showroom (Sept opening)

This building is already home to several thriving businesses, including BKS Artisan Ales, Can I Have A Bite?, and Farm Dog Studios.

Rigby is also renovating additional buildings along E 63^rd St, and is now working on 701 and 751 E 63^rd St. The updates will feature a mid-century modern theme, with green and brown tones and rustic wood; new glass exterior and new plumbing and HVAC. He’s hoping for more retail and restaurant space here along with office tenants, with a focus on locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you haven’t been on 63rd St east of Oak lately–take a trip! Thanks to Butch Rigby, many new businesses and eateries to explore!

Legendary KC Small Shop Closing Soon

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

sheehans store

After 33 years of serving Kansas City residents, Sheehan’s Irish Imports is closing at the end of the month. It’s current location is on the border of Brookside and Waldo, at 410 E Gregory.

Sheehan’s Irish Imports is one of those classic, family owned small businesses. Daughter Katy Sheehan told me her mother Peggy started selling Irish products as a hobby out of her home in 1985. As the business grew, Pryde’s offered her a space in the corner of their building in Westport. The next move was to a larger, free standing store at 1412 Westport Road, then a final move to the Brookside/Waldo location in 2015. Katy and her sister Molly have operated the store for the past several years.

sheehans katy Like every other retail business, Sheehan’s has been affected by globalism and online sales. Katy says “these days, you can find Irish products everywhere”–for example, the popular Inis perfume they carried can now be ordered through Amazon or found in various other local tourist shops. Katy and Molly enjoyed running the store, getting to know customers, promoting Irish products and offering excellent client service. Now it’s time for a new adventure, as Katy says one of her goals in retirement is to visit every U.S. national park.

From now until closing June 30, 2018, everything on the store is on sale — 40% off. You can browse through Irish CDs, religious items, baby clothes, keychains, jewelry, hats, caps and of course, warm Irish sweaters (this winter, you’ll appreciate that bargain sweater bought on a 90 degree day!). Thanks to the Sheehan family for their decades of serving KC residents! And as a final note, Katy told me KC Needlepoint is moving from 105 E Gregory into this space.

sheehan peggy

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-April 2018

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Interesting home sales stats for the Armour Hills subdivision last month, and year to date comparisons. Armour Hills remains a very popular area for homebuyers, due to it’s charming 1920s homes, various price range and styles and location near Brookside and Waldo shops. First let’s look at the monthly figures:

April 2018 April 2017

Median list price: $318,500 Median list price: $299,950

Median sales price: $339,500 Median sales price: $310,000

No. of homes sold: 8 No. of homes sold: 6

Days on market: 6 Days on market: 13

Both months show final sales price over list price, and homes going under contract in less than two weeks. Last month, five homes sold over asking price; one was $38K over and another was $31K over…almost unbelievable, but I see this same thing happening in other parts of the metro area. Compared to April 2017, prices are up 9.5%.

Jan-April 2018 Jan-April 2017

Median list price: $300,000 Median list price: $314,750

Median sales price: $300,000 Median sales price; $312,250

No. of homes sold: 21 No. of homes sold: 20

Days on market: 7 Days on market: 16

Year to date, prices are down just under 4%. However, note that so far this year, homeowners are getting asking price or over, for the most part. It’s definitely a strong market favoring sellers. Currently there are 8 homes listed in Armour Hills, with a median price of $342,000 and 31 days on market.

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

Brookside St Pat’s Parade on Saturday

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

This Saturday, March 10, 2018 is the 38th Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade! Even if you are not Irish, join your neighbors and friends for this family friendly event, starting at 2pm.

The parade route is:

Starting from 65th St and Wornall Rd, north on Wornall to 63rd St; east on 63rd St to Main; south on Main St to Meyer; west on Meyer ending at Brookside Plaza.

Please arrive early! If you are driving, park several blocks from the route and note that residential streets will be very congested. Street closures will begin early afternoon. Watch for pedestrians, strollers, lots of kids running around and huge, colorful floats! Expect traffic delays and street closures in this area through late afternoon.

Be sure to stop in for lunch or refreshments at the nearby Brookside businesses–and check out some of the new shops in the area: Skin, Lady Bye and Design in the City.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

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