It was a big day in Brookside.
How big, you say? (Thanks for asking.)
Well, the Whole Foods store that has been under construction at 51st and Brookside Boulevard for about three years opened today. I tell you, Brooksiders were beside themselves. (Well, I guess there could have been some non-Brooksiders there, and, of course, we gave them a gracious welcome.)
It was definitely the place to be and be seen. It was mobbed. The close-in, uncovered parking area was like a bumper car zone. (There’s also a spacious garage.)
I knew today was opening day and had thought about going, but I almost didn’t make it. Here’s how it turned out I did…
I had a long-planned lunch with former Mayor Richard L. Berkley and the three people who comprised the Park Board when I covered City Hall back in the late ’80s and early ’90s — Anita Gorman, Ollie Gates and Carl DiCapo.
Berkley doesn’t drive any more, so I picked him up and we drove over to the Gates restaurant at Cleaver Boulevard and The Paseo. Over a lunch of brisket, ribs, chicken, beans and slaw, we talked about the “old days,” as well as current events. On the way back home, Berkley suggested we stop by Whole Foods. “Have you got a few minutes?” he said.
But of course!
Next thing you know, Dick had a shopping cart; I had a basket; and we were in the produce section. We saw several people we knew, including former Kansas City school board member Al Mauro; former state rep and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Hal Lowenstein; Annette Bloch; and…well, from here, I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
Opening day was so big it attracted not one but two former KC mayors — Kay Barnes (1999 to 2007) and Dick Berkley (1979 to 1991).
Just inside the main entrance, off Brookside Boulevard
The olive bar, where one of my neighbors, Jacques Bredius, was loading up
The bakery section
Yes, there was live entertainment.
That right…a photo booth.
You can get coffee, lunch, beer and more at this bar.
And you can watch the Royals on TV.
**
It’s Brookside’s new happenin’ place. See you there!
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
It’s always so precious to see small town folk get excited when a new grocery store opens.
Very good, John, very good…
Great addition to Brookside. However, after a few visits, I think you will find it hard to beat Cosentino’s for regular shopping; Whole Foods for specialty items.
You’re probably right, Tom…I think Whole Foods is going to cut into business at (Cosentino’s) Brookside Market and the nearby Price Chopper, but I’m sure they’ll continue to thrive.
Well, there is this aspect to Whole Foods, aka Whole Paycheck:
https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/whole-foods-struggles-to-shake-whole-paycheck-nickname/
There were some really good deals today, especially on organic items.
Also mildly interesting: There seems to be some debate as to how to describe the location of this store. You call it in Brookside. In a Tweet, Jermaine Reed said he was “excited to welcome the new Kansas City Whole Foods Market to the Urban-Core.” The Star article said “Whole Foods Market is set to open by the University of Missouri-Kansas City.” I guess I’ll go with UMKC.
Whole Foods is great but have you checked out the prices of the apartments in that building? Lordy. I had hoped to get our son in there. Not happening!
I haven’t looked at that, Gloria, but we’d sure like to have Matthew over here in Brookside, somewhere. It would be very convenient for his job.
Mark — Just as construction of the Home Depot and Costco were a huge win for Midtown many years ago (thank you, Jim Glover), the new Whole Foods is a big win for “the urban core.”
This may be the only time we will ever see a national retailer close a 40,000-square-foot store in Johnson County (91st and Metcalf) and open an even larger one (46,000 square feet) in Midtown, South Plaza, Brookside, UMKC or any number of neighborhoods that can claim a proprietary interest.
I think that was one reason so many people, including a lot of high-profile people, were at the Grand Opening yesterday: It’s a big point of pride for KCMO proper.
I must be getting blind. I’ve been all around 63rd and Brookside lately (had an everything chocolate at Foo’s) and saw no Whole Foods. Oh, it’s at 51st and Oak? Isn’t that north of Crestwood?
I get your drift, Peg…But I think if you live anywhere along Brookside Boulevard, or Brookside Road (the southern extension that runs parallel to Wornall), you can say you’re in Brookside…I almost start my piece by saying “Greater Brookside.” Should of.