West Brookside Guide
With so many areas within the Kansas City metropolitan area booming over the last ten years, there’s one neighborhood in particular that holds a very distinct charm and history unlike any other, and that’s Brookside. Since the 1920s, Brookside has been home to gorgeous tree-lined streets and extraordinary homes, locally-owned boutiques, cafes covering a multitude of cuisines, and a monthly calendar complete with fairs, festivals, and farmer’s markets. Brookside’s shopping district is marked by eye-catching blue and burgundy awnings and over 80 merchants to explore– you simply cannot miss the magic of it! Here are a few of my favorite spots:
Lady Bye | 6245 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113
All photos by Mindy Hargesheimer @kansascitybucketlist
Timeless, sophisticated style that spans 6 decades and 3 outrageously iconic women is the inspiration behind gorgeous Brookside boutique, Lady Bye. Offering an "east coast aesthetic," owner Abby Roen Flores’s vision encompasses the every woman by way of clothing, accessories, footwear, bath & body, and home goods. Upgrade your wardrobe, gift the women in your life, and ensure you and those closest to you remain "unapologetically feminine" with the help of Lady Bye’s styling team.
5B&Co. Candlemakers | 6231 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113
Colorful, fragrant, and unique: 5B&Co. hosts over 175 scents that are hand-poured in house with witty names such as "Get The Smell Outta Here.” Uncommon scents like fresh baked bread, cut grass, and burnt sugar can be delightfully wrapped in gift boxes and tubes themed for holidays or the everyday. Seeking higher quality than your average mass-produced candles, owner Lori and her team craft votives that last for 15 hours and flow evenly across multiple rooms, as well as refill your empty jars with your choice of their rotating monthly scents. At the very least- stop in for free smells!
Brookside Barrio | 6227 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113
Stroll on up to Brookside Barrio and sit patio-side while you soak up the sun, sip on salty margaritas, and jam out to the cool Reggae vibes floating through the beach-themed kitchen.
The hip and laid back element feels much like a vacation– the food and drink selections mirror authentic Oaxacan cuisine, bringing coastal Mexican ingredients and food preparations like street tacos, tortas, and their can’t miss loaded queso to this "barrio," i.e. neighborhood. Partnered with Patron, Brookside Barrios actively ages a unique anejo tequila all their own, so opt in for a La Patron for that citron-tequila buzz!
STUFF | 316 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113
Two Kansas City sisters set out to "pursue good stuff" and succeeded in paving the way for supporting up-and-coming artists, community growth, and people...not product. Representing over 300 artists on any given day, Sloane & Casey Simmons started STUFF on the basis that art shouldn't be difficult and out of reach to buy, and as a result, this store is brimming with unique original works from artists around the globe, like hand-made and uniquely crafted jewelry, textiles, stationary, signage, wall art, and wacky and wild goods. Hosting in-store events year-round and donating time and funds to countless organizations to better our Midwest metropolis, STUFF is so in-demand as a groundbreaking base for artists that time and space can't keep up with the incredible outreach they encounter. Prepare to be inspired and NOT walk out empty-handed!
Bella Napoli | 6229 Brookside Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64113
For a truly authentic Italian experience, travel on over to Bella Napoli to eat, drink, shop, and mingle with the locals! Al fresco dining on the patio; deli, grocer, and cafe on the inside, Bella Napoli’s menu of ingredients is strictly imported from Italy and influenced by a familial history of Italian heritage. From deli fresh meats and cheeses, pastas, oils, and vinegars, and an antipasta, pasta, and pizze menu clearly designed to tempt the senses, Bella Napoli brings delicious Italian elements overseas to the Midwest for a truly satisfying culinary experience. Fantastico!
The Fiddly Fig | 22 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113
Don't be fooled by the "foliage-friendly" name– The Fiddly Fig is FAR more than a just boutique in bloom! In addition to their striking floral arrangements, this boutique-housed in a historically registered building- fills its quarters with finds like minimalist gold and silver earrings, sweet and snuggly baby books and plush animals, cookbooks, tea towels, candles, vases, vintage timepieces, and comical greeting cards worthy of an LOL. Cherish the idea of fresh flowers in your home or special occasion? Carry on home some effervescent blooms to display beautifully, or collaborate on that wedding or festive KC event on the horizon!