I always felt like the Brookside Art Annual really starts  off the summer season of festive outdoor events, even though technically it's still Spring!  Here are the details: Hours are Fri 5-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 11am-5pm.  Free activities for kids on Saturday and Sunday; live music in the evening, and local Brookside businesses will have food booths for noshing and drink.  Please do not bring pets! The Art Annual is set up between 63rd St and Meyer Blvd, just east of the tennis courts.  Watch for extra pedestrians, strollers and children in the area this weekend. It is easiest to park a few blocks away and walk to the tents.  Be sure to stop in one of Brookside's many shops/restaurants/services while you are in the neighborhood!  We appreciate our local business owners and the Brooksi... 05/04/2018

Waldo is a hot spot for  homebuyers...yes I am repeating myself but it's true.  So much demand for homes in this Kansas City neighborhood yet not enough inventory.  Here is the home sales report for Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes, Gregory to 85th St, for March 2018: March 2018                                                     March 2017Median list price:     $200,000                      Median list price:     $175,000Median sales price:   $217,500                     Median sales price:   $172,700No. of homes sold:       29                               No. of homes sold:     30Days on market:           3                                 Days on market:         40 As you can see, there are bidding wars for new properties that are listed.  The sales price beat the ... 04/30/2018

If your Brookside/Waldo home has a front porch—you know how relaxing and welcoming the space can be.  For those of us without that amenity, please enjoy the new front porch at HJ’s Youth and Community Center, 6425 Wornall.  The sleek new building joins the campus of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church at Meyer and Wornall.  HJ’s gathering place is open to all area residents, not just members of the church. Father John Spicer, Rector, at St Andrew’s, has been watching the construction go on the past several months.  He’s so excited about the new space, and eager to show it off to the Brookside/Waldo residents. As he explained to me, “We want this building to be a place of intersection between the church and the community.”  St Andrew’s Youth Ministry will meet here, along with Boy Scout Troup 1... 04/25/2018

Our locally owned Brookside/Waldo shops are so generous in giving back to our community. They donate gift cards to school fundraisers, host fundraising events for local organizations and really go beyond the usual grind of being an independent shop to actively helping others who need it. World's Window in Brookside is hosting it's annual "Flipping Favorites" clothing drive for Rose Brooks Center, now through early May.  Rose Brooks Center is an emergency shelter for women and children escaping violence and abuse. World's Window hosts this event twice a year. Here's how it works:  bring in new or gently used women's clothing, clean and on hangars to the shop at 332 W 63rd St.  (L and XL sizes are in great demand). In return for your contribution,  you will receive a gift certificate to u... 04/22/2018

Brookside continues to be a strong, desireable location for home buyers in the Kansas City area.  Prices continue to edge up, and multiple offers are common for those homes listed at $350K or less.  Here are the sales stats for March 2018, single family homes, with year-to-date comparisons as well. March 2018                                                    March 2017Median list price:     $429,000                    Median list price:       $395,000Median sales price:   $394,000                   Median sales price:    $395,000No. of homes sold:        23                           No. of homes sold:        23Days on market:           14                            Days on market:            34The same number of homes sold, median sales price about the same, yet homes went under contrt... 04/19/2018

You may have heard Bella Napoli is 'closing' it's coffee bar. Not true!  It's the concept and the hours that are changing! Starting Monday April 16,  the coffee bar will open at 10am, along with the deli and market.  You can get coffee (or expresso, latte, etc) but no pastries or drinks with syrup.  Also, owner Jake Imperiale says he's changing the concept to "do it the Italian way" --meaning no coffee 'to go'.  Come in, order your beverage; it will be served on china  and then you sit down at a table  and take the time to really enjoy it. (And if you've ever been to Italy, you know that is the true Italian way to have a coffee.  Pause and appreciate your drink, chat with your companion or sit and contemplate the day.) Bella Napoli has been a Brookside fixture since April 2001.  It's he... 04/16/2018

 Another sign of Spring!  The Brookside Farmers' Market opens tomorrow, Saturday April 14, 2018 for the season.  Location is the same:  southeast corner of 63rd and Wornall, at Border Star elementary school.  There are many farmers' markets in the metro area; what makes this one a bit different is that all vendors live within 100 miles of the market and the goods they sell are "organic and sustainable".  Besides fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers, there are various meats for sale, baked goods, snacks, and some vegan/gluten free items.  The market accepts KS Vision and MO SNAP forms of payment.  It's helpful if you bring your own bag to the market! Thank you for supporting our local Brookside Farmers' Market. Hours are 8am-1pm every Saturday through October. 04/13/2018

Wornall Road in the heart of Waldo seems to be  a never ending construction site, and will continue to be for the next few years.  Here's a summary of what's going on:*This week, contractors will start drilling around 75th and Wornall.  The work is related to the bigger (and much needed) 75th/Wornall improvement project.  There will be lane closures on both sides of Wornall from approximately 74th to 79th St area for several days.*The 75th/Wornall improvement project involves a redesign of the parking lot in front of Waldo Pizza; creating a new Trolley Track extension (dedicated path) outside that lot; updated sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting;  plus installation of islands to slow down traffic at that congested intersection. Major work on this project is slated to start early next yea... 04/09/2018

The numbers for these stats are ...very unusual !  I double checked all of the figures.  You'll see the numbers prices are identical--what are the chances of that?  Here are the February and YTD figures for the Armour Hills subdivision in Brookside: February 2018                                                                              February 2017Median list price:     $299,000                                                    Median list price:     $314,500Median sales price:  $299,000                                                  Median sales price:   $314,500No. of homes sold:         5                                                            No. of homes sold:        5Days on market:             5                                                             Days on market:... 03/28/2018

Waldo is again in high demand for home buyers--final sales prices are (at times) thousands of dollars over the list price.  Here are the Feb 2018 single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the area of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: February 2018                                                                           February 2017Median list price:      $149,950                                                Median list price:      $192,950Median sales price:   $160,000                                                Median sales price:   $180,000No. of homes sold:          27                                                       No. of homes sold:      26Days on market:             24                                                        Days on market:         31 L... 03/22/2018

It's early in the year, however home buyers are out shopping--traffic during open houses is very heavy!  There still isn't very much inventory in the highly sought after $200-$350K price range -- and those that do pop on go under contract almost immediately.  Here are the February single family home sales stats for Brookside, using zip code 64113. February 2018                                                      February 2017Median List Price:    $349,950                           Median List Price:      $421,250Median Sales Price:  $320,000                           Median Sales Price:   $402,000No. of homes sold:        11                                   No. of homes sold:        14Days on market:            9                                     Days on market:             43 Altho... 03/19/2018

Today’s blog will tell you about the planned renovation changes for the southwest corner of 85th and Wornall in Waldo—where the Price Chopper is located.  This shopping area (“Wornall Village Shopping Center”) has been looking a bit shabby and run down over the years, and I’m excited share the news about the renovation!  The Tutera Group, along with Nolte and Associates are planning to refresh this area and hope to make it more pedestrian friendly.  The biggest change sounds like it will be the remodeled Price Chopper store—a total inside renovation plus moving the delivery area to the northwest corner of the building.  The entire front of the building will have new lettering, colors, masonry and framing.  New sidewalks will be installed along Wornall and W 84th St.   The Tutera Group w... 03/12/2018

 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... 03/08/2018

A fixture of Waldo for decades, Waldo Antiques and Furniture closed last year.  Driving by this spot at 226 W 75th St, just east of Wornall, was a visual treat--there was usually a few eclectic pieces of furniture or odd painting on display right there on the sidewalk.  It was a local spot--a place you could wander in and browse, finding something that you wanted to buy but didn't necessarily need!An LLC, comprised of three partners, recently purchased the building and plan to tear it down.  Working with El Dorado Inc, the new 10,000 SF building plans to host retail, services and office space.  El Dorado remodeled the Botwin building at the NW corner of 75th St and Washington --it now houses Boru and Crow's Coffee.Say goodbye to the old brick building; hello to a modern new one.  Let's ... 03/07/2018

Waldo homes did not last long when put up for sale last year--they generally went under contract in less than two weeks and median prices were up 5.6% over 2016. I think demand for Waldo homes will continue to be strong in 2018.  Below is the first report of home sales for the year, using the geographic area of Gregory to 85th St and State Line to Holmes: January 2018                                                         January 2017 Median list price:     $164,450                           Median list price:      $159,950Median sales price:    $160,750                        Median sales price:  $159,000No. of homes sold:        18                                  No. of homes sold:       27Days on market:            24                                  Day on market:            36 Th... 03/01/2018

As I write this blog, I am looking ahead wondering if Armour Hills will again be one of the most desirable neighborhoods for buyers in 2018. Last year the average days on market for a new listing in Armour Hills was just 7, and median home prices increased 14.9% over 2016. Those numbers say a lot about how strong this neighborhood is. Let's take a look at the stats for last month: January 2018                                                                   January 2017Median list price:     $289,975                                  Median list price:      $329,475Median sales price:  $284,500                                 Median sales price:   $327,500Days on market:            5                                           Days on market:            18No. of homes sold:        4      ... 02/26/2018

It's the beginning of a new year and home buyers are out, ready to see fresh inventory in the housing market.  2017 was a strong year for Brookside home sales--median prices were up 10.2% over 2016.  Let's see what the market did last month--I'm using the Brookside zip code of 64113 to check single family home sales.January 2018                                                                    January 2017Median list price:     $429,450                                       Median list price:     $395,000Median sales price:  $416,250                                       Median sales price:  $388,500Days on market:           37                                               Days on market:             36No. of homes sold:        17                                               No. of ho... 02/19/2018

"Would Kate Middleton wear it?"  That's part of the criteria owner Abby Flores has when choosing clothes for her new Brookside shop, Lady Bye.    Located in the former Shopgirls space at 6245 Brookside Plaza (near Foos and 5B Candles), Lady Bye opened last week and the buzz is spreading.  When I stopped by, two ladies from my office were browsing in the store!  As Abby explained, Lady Bye offers clothes with a classic, "east coast" feel, inspired by the elegance and beauty of style icons like Princess DIana, Jackie Kennedy and...Kate Middleton.  Inside this cozy shop you'll see jackets, sweaters, dresses, tops, and a few jeans--mostly casual and business attire that feels current, sophisticated yet comfortable and approachable.  A couple of Abby's favorite clothing lines, Mod Ref and Al... 02/09/2018

Not only does John Couture of Bier Station run a friendly, neighborhood craft beer bar (with tasty food!)--his establishment is very involved in social issues and non-profit organizations in Kansas City.   This Saturday February 10, 2018 Bier Station (120 E Gregory) is hosting a fundraiser for Youth 4 Change, part of the Restart organization.  ReStart works towards ending homelessness in our area, and Youth 4 Change is dedicated specifically to youth homelessness.  From 2-7pm, proceeds from the sale of Walnut River Beers will be donated to Youth 4 Change. A silent auction is also scheduled on Saturday, with  gift baskets from Brookside and Waldo businesses.  If you would like to donate an item or gift card for the basket, contact John at Bier Station.  Thank you for supporting our local... 02/05/2018

In one of my blog posts last year, I stated that Armour Hills could be the hottest Brookside neighborhood, based on home buyer demand and prices.  I think the year end stats back up that claim!  First let's take a look at December home sales stats for the Armour Hills subdivision:December 2017                                                             December 2016Median list price:       $269,950                                   Median list price:      $277,500Median sales price:    $279,000                                  Median sales price:   $281,500No. of homes sold:         4                                            No. of homes sold:        8Days on market:            3                                             Days on market:          42In both years, the median sales pri... 01/22/2018