You may have noticed a new shop along 63rd St in Brookside:  Design in the City has moved into the former Reading Reptile location.  This is the second location for Design in the City; the first one is in Briarcliff.    Proprietor Mindy Diaz told me there were two reasons she chose this spot:  many of her customers wanted a 'south' location, and her best friend is Pam DiCappo, who owns Lauren Alexander next door.  She felt her lines of clothing and accessories would complement the other shops in the area.  This is a store you will love browsing in--everything is so  beautifully displayed! Jackets, pants, tops, purses, boots, hats and jewelry catch your eye at every turn.  Her most popular lines include Tart Collections, Sanctuary and Chaser Brand for clothing; she also has jewelry fro... 09/26/2017

As we get into the second half of the year...the home buying market starts slowing down.  Sales have been  strong this year in Brookside (list price under $450K); there is still demand, but most of the inventory is priced well over $500K.  Here is the August  2017 Brookside single family home sales report, using stats from zip code 64113:  Aug 2017 Median list price:        $376,500Median sales price:    $358,000Number of homes sold:    24Days on market:               37 The lowest closed price was $235,000 and the highest was $770,000. Aug 2016 Median list price:        $328,900Median sales price:    $322,000Number of homes sold:   30Days on market:              13  Sales prices are up 11% compared to last August. Checking year-to-date figures: Jan-Aug 2017 Median list price:        $3... 09/19/2017

Beautiful September brings so many outdoor events in Kansas City..and this Saturday is the annual Waldo Fall Festival, now in it's 25th year. It's happening Saturday Sept 16, 2017 from 10am-5pm at the southeast corner of 75th and Wornall in the parking lot. This family friendly festival offers rides, games, music, food trucks, a petting zoo and many vendor booths for browsing.   Please be aware--this is a very busy intersection of Waldo any time of day.  So if you aren't going to the event--plan your route through Waldo along other streets.  If you are going, park a few blocks away, take the bus, or walk/bike over to the event.  Watch for extra traffic and kids running around! Thank you for supporting Wonderful Waldo! 09/14/2017

  Brookside and Waldo are popular places for small business owners...I think this is the third locally owned new business I've written about in the past several weeks.  Today I will introduce you to The Nut Cup, an antique and collectibles shop that opened last month at  7021 Oak, next to Eclectics. Owner Trish Skidmore has been in the antique and estate sale business for many years.  A friend  approached her about selling the contents of a small two bedroom home in Raytown.  The house was filled with vintage items (signs, toys, knick-knacks, quilts, furniture, etc) from years past.  It was a treasure trove of goodies that Trish wanted to display and sell to other folks who appreciate these classic items.  After looking at several  locations, she decided on the Brookside/Waldo area to r... 09/08/2017

Home prices are up again in Waldo--a trend that has been consistent this year.  There is a lot of demand and not enough inventory in the $150-$200K price range..   These figures are for Waldo single family home sales, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:July 2017 Number of homes sold:    34Median list price:              $149,000Median sales price:          $162,000Average days on market:    11 July 2016 Number of homes sold:      43Median list price:              $165,000Median sales price:          $166,000Average days on market:    9 The highest price sale in Waldo last month was $320,400 and the lowest was $64,250. Note the sales price was higher than list price--because many of the homes that closed were at or over the asking price.  Here are year-to-da... 08/29/2017

  Brookside East continues to gain more tenants, and one of the newest is Can I Have A Bite, the grab and go food spot that moved to 633 E 63rd St in late March from a Waldo location. Owner Kathy Hale focuses on healthy food, prepared on site, using locally sourced and organic ingredients when possible, with a menu that changes weekly.     For busy professionals and those with food allergies, Can I Have A Bite can be a regular stop for specialty lunches and dinners. Kathy offers frozen entrees that you can heat up yourself—or she will have it hot and ready for you if you call ahead. There is an array of salads, soups, energy bites and full meals you can choose from. With this expanded location, she’s added some new options: a “Create Your Own Entrée”—you choose an animal or vegetarian p... 08/28/2017

Armour Hills in Brookside -- a hot location for homebuyers this year! Prices have really jumped up compared to last year.  Here are the July 2017 home sales for Armour Hills:  July 2017                                               Median list price:      $335,000                          Median sales price:  $335,000                          Number of homes sold:  6  Days on market:             5                                July 2016         Median list price:       $254,500Median sales price:   $256,000     Number of homes sold:   8  Days on market:              5 The lowest sales price in July  2017 was $249,900 and the highest was $397,500.     Now let’s look at year to date: Jan-July 2017                                                                                       Media... 08/24/2017

Home prices continue to rise in Brookside; however the market is slowing down as is usual for the second half of the year.  There is still a shortage of inventory in the $250K-$350K price range..  Here is the July 2017 Brookside single family home sales report, using stats from zip code 64113:  July 2017 Median list price:        $394,975Median sales price:    $392,500Number of homes sold:    26Days on market:               10 The lowest closed price was $211,000.  There were two sales over $1 million, both cash sales. Highest sale in 64113 last month was $1.8 million.   Below are figures from July 2016: July 2016 Median list price:        $329,900Median sales price:    $340,000Number of homes sold:   27Days on market:              35 Checking year-to-date figures: Jan-July 2017 Median ... 08/22/2017

What is "Explore Gregory" all about?  You've seen the signs and probably got something in the mail about it. The event is happening this Saturday August 19, 2017. And the promotion refers to the street, not a person!  From 10am-4pm, the businesses along Gregory from Oak  to Main streets welcome all visitors and shoppers for the day.  You can stop in places you've never been to before, as well as visit stores and services you frequently use.  Start the day at McLain's Bakery with breakfast and stroll over to Eclectics, Sheehan's Irish Imports, the new Nut Cup, then walk west to Studio 63 and lunch at Bier Station or Governor Stumpy's.  Those are  just a few of the businesses that are participating.  During Explore Gregory, JFS will be collecting canned goods for their food pantry--donati... 08/17/2017

Many years ago when my husband and I first moved to Brookside, we went to the Brookside Irish Fest.  It was basically a few booths set up in a parking lot with a band.  There was a small Westport Irish Fest too.  These two groups got together and now we have one big Irish Fest, every year over Labor Day weekend, that attracts over 100,000 people!  The Kansas City Irish Fest is now held at Crown Center.  The non-profit organization that runs the show strives to promote the music, food and culture of Ireland during the three days.  It's a family friendly event, with activities for all ages.  What I like about the KC Irish Fest is there is more to do than the usual festival activities.  Sure, they do have special events for the kids, including a scavenger hunt, costume contest and storytel... 07/28/2017

How would you like to taste the flavors of over twenty countries in one weekend?  It's possible!  Make plans to attend the annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Swope Park, August 18-20, 2017. This huge event represents cultures from dozens of international countries, including Sweden, Scotland, France, China, Mexico, India, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Egypt and Russia--to name a few.  Food is a big part of the festival--as each country sets up special tasty goodies from their homeland.  You can choose from hundreds of specialty foods:  epanadas, kobasa, crepes, gyros, chicken curry, mango shake, apple studel, fried plantains, tacos, and so much more.   There are various dance and musical performances throughout the weekend and craft booths to browse.   I find that children really seem to... 07/28/2017

Yes it's hot and you may want to shop in the air conditioned comfort of your nearby grocery store. However, it's peak season for fresh fruits and vegetables, grown in or near the Kansas City metro area. It's worth sweating a bit to browse outdoor  farmers' markets to pick up delicious and nutritious edibles to enjoy at every meal.We are fortunate to have so many foodstands in Kansas City--chances are there is one within a few miles of your home.  Below I have listed some of the larger farmers' markets for reference-- plan a trip early in the morning to beat the sizzling tempertures! City Market, 20 E. Fifth St, Kansas City MO6am-3pm Saturdays; 8am-3pm SundaysThe City Market dates back to 1857! The farmer's market here actually operates year round; it's most busy in the summer and fall. ... 07/28/2017

 There's a new boutique shop in Waldo--tucked away in a former gas station  from the 1920s!  Hawthorne and Ivy opened a couple of weeks ago at 7142 Wornall, just south of Betty Rae's and next to Michael Avery's hair salon. You may be familiar with Hawthorne and Ivy's shop in Weston.  This is shop #3 for owner Elinor Hagan Lowe.  She started out designing custom 'mother's bracelets' , following in her mother's footsteps.  Elinor runs Paco Designs in Lenexa, then came the Weston store, and now the Waldo spot.   Step inside and you will find all the items attractively displayed on the walls and tables--it's an easy store to browse!  There is lots of jewelry, including the mother's bracelets, and so much more:  Royals gear, candles and soaps, clothing and accessories plus some baby items an... 07/26/2017

Prices continue to rise in the desirable subdivision of Armour Hills in Brookside.  The well maintained, updated homes go under contract almost immediately.  Here's the June 2017 home sales report for Armour Hills, with comparisons to last year. June 2017Median list price:         $294,950Median sales price:      $306,000Days on market:                34No. of homes sold:            17 June 2016Median list price:         $279,475Median sales price:      $284,500Days on market:               3No. of homes sold:           12 Last month, 12 of the 17 homes that closed sold at or over the listed price.Now let's check year-to-date figures: Jan-June 2017Median list price:      $317,250Median sales price:   $313,500Days on market:             6No. of homes sold:        54 Jan-June 2016Median l... 07/25/2017

We just finished up the first half of the year for the Spring home buying season--and demand continues to be strong.  Most sales happen in the first half of the year--we'll see what happens from July-December!Here are the single family  home sales stats for Brookside, using zip code 64113, for June 2017 and comparisons to last year: June 2017Median list price:             $372,000Median sales price:          $367,500Days on market:                    20No. of homes sold:                40 June 2016Median list price:              $344,250Median sales price:           $342,000Days on market:                    37No. of homes sold:                42 Two Brookside homes sold in June for over $1million.  Lowest sales price was $168,500.  Median sales price is up 7.4% over last year. Comparin... 07/18/2017

  It's time for the annual Brookside Sidewalk Sale--Thursday July 6 through Sunday July 9, 2017! Various merchants will set up tables on the sidewalks on 63rd St east of Wornall.  You will find all sorts of bargains here:  jewelry, clothes, decor, small gifts and household goods, and some surprises--"oh, I could use one of those!".   I especially like the bargains you can find at Tuesday Morning and The Dime Store.  One year I purchased a sterling silver ring for  $10--which my daughter promptly 'borrowed' and she still has it!  Plus, it's always nice to chat with shop owners and neighbors that are browsing at the same time.  Even if you don't find anything that you need, browse and shop for others:  start your holiday shopping early or birthday gifts for kids or just a special "I'm thi... 07/06/2017

Home prices are up again in Waldo--a trend that has been consistent this year.  There is a lot of demand and not enough inventory.  These figures are for Waldo single family home sales, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:  May 2017 Number of homes sold:    42Median list price:              $189,900Median sales price:          $192,000Average days on market:    13 May 2016 Number of homes sold:      48Median list price:              $168,700Median sales price:          $168,000Average days on market:    1 The highest price sale in Waldo last month was $365,500 and the lowest was $84,900. Note the sales price was higher than list price--because many of the homes that closed were at or over the asking price.  Here are year-to-date comparisons: Jan-May  2017 Nu... 06/26/2017

Armour Hills in Brookside -- a hot location for homebuyers this spring.  Almost one half of the total homes sold this year so far in Armour Hills closed last month. And as you will see...prices continue to rise as compared to last year.  Here are the May 2017 home sales for Armour Hills, and a comparison to last year.  May 2017                                               Median list price:      $325,000                          Median sales price:  $329,225                          Number of homes sold:  16  Days on market:              3                                May 2016         Median list price:       $289,900Median sales price:   $291,000     Number of homes sold:   9  Days on market:              33 The lowest sales price in May 2017 was $209,500 and the highest was $407,00... 06/21/2017

Waldo continues to be a hot spot for homebuyers this year.  As prices keep climbing in the 64113 zip code to the north, those who want to buy on a more modest budget look south to 64114.  Those first two sentences exactly what I wrote for the March 2017 stats report.  It’s a trend!!!  These figures are for Waldo single family home sales, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:  April 2017 Number of homes sold:    43Median list price:              $165,000Median sales price:          $170,000Average days on market:    4 April 2016 Number of homes sold:      29Median list price:              $169,900Median sales price:          $169,000Average days on market:    12 The highest price sale in Waldo last month was $468,500 and the lowest was $54,000. Note the sales ... 05/25/2017

May is National Bike Month...and This week is National Bike to Work Week.And today through Saturday May 20, 2017 is Bike to Waldo Week! Hop on your bike and ride through bike-friendly Waldo..stopping by these merchants for special deals and discounts:  Family Bicycles, KC Bier Co, Betty Raes, Crows Coffee and CoWork Waldo. If you post a photo of your outing and post it with the #biketowaldo, you will be entered into a drawing for $50!  More info at the Waldo Facebook page.Be extra aware for bicycles in the streets this week and thank you for supporting locally owned Waldo businesses! 05/18/2017