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Brookside has been buzzing with excitement! From new businesses setting up shop to fresh looks for neighborhood favorites, there’s a lot for Brookside residents to look forward to in 2025!

CRU will be located in the space previously used by Michael Forbes.

CRU

Last year, Brookside sadly said goodbye to Michael Forbes Bar & Grille, a longtime staple of the neighborhood’s food scene. The space is now home to Brookside’s newest restaurant, CRU!

Married couple, Avery Bailey and Hannah Koenig, are the founders of CRU. Customers of Bella Napoli may recognize the duo, as they both work at the Italian eatery. Their goal with CRU is to provide the neighborhood with an upscale bistro, complete with an attached bottle shop and private dining room for small events.

CRU is set to open in late January/early February and will be a must-visit spot for any foodies in Brookside!

The Cosentino’s Market renovation brings many new amenities to Brookside shoppers!

Cosentino’s Market Renovation

The Cosentino’s Market first opened in 2003 as a higher-end grocery option for the residents of Brookside. Over the past year, the store has been undergoing major renovations to give the store a well-deserved refresh. Now, with all the work completed, shoppers can enjoy an elevated shopping experience and exciting new options!

The renovation expanded the market’s floor space. They also upgraded to energy-efficient equipment. Customers can now grab a quick bite from the store’s Fresh Fast Food options, which includes an all-new Hot Bar. The expanded deli now has a Perfect Panini station and the Meat and Seafood department has Angus Beef and fresh sushi available. The store’s bakery was also updated with a new dining and gathering space!

Baba’s Bakery will offer a variety of Palestinian pastries and desserts.

Baba’s Bakery

Located at 63rd and Troost, Baba’s Pantry quickly became not just one of KC’s most loved restaurants but one of the top-rated spots in the nation! Bon Appétit Magazine claimed it to be one of America’s Best New Restaurants in 2022.

Now this famous Palestinian-American café has officially opened Baba’s Bakery right next door! Customers can stop in on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm and purchase traditional Palestinian pastries and desserts, such as baklava and knafeh.

Some visitors to the mansion claim to have experienced paranormal activity.

Epperson House at UMKC

The Epperson House is located on the southern edge of the University of Missouri Kansas City’s campus. This historic KC home is in line for a major renovation and transformation into a new boutique hotel!

The stately home was constructed in 1920 for Uriah Epperson and his wife, Mary, at a cost of $500,000 (approximately $13 million today). Following the couple’s death, the home was donated to the university and has served many purposes, ranging from dormitories to classrooms, for more than 80 years. Since 2010, the home has sat vacant and is in need of some major TLC.

Sunflower Development Group has taken on the task of restoring this stunning piece of Kansas City history into a new boutique hotel with 14 rooms, a café, a restaurant, a library bar, an event space, and a hydrothermal spa!

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