I moved to Kirkwood in 1976. My father worked as an architect for the city of Kirkwood and my mom worked as a teacher in the Kirkwood School District. I loved my growing up in a sweet, kind town, walking to the Kirkwood Public Library, Velvet Freeze ice cream, the ice rink and theater, and riding my bike to friends’ homes and walking to Kirkwood Park.
As an adult, I visit often, as my parents will never leave their home on Jefferson. They are Kirkwood loyal, which I get. My kids grew up visiting the Kirkwood Farmers’ Market and attending the Greentree Parade, and getting ice cream at the train station.
As my oldest son grew into an adult, all he wanted was to live in Kirkwood. After several years of planning and saving, he has been searching. He too wants to take his kids to the market, library and park. He wants to share the community feel and walks.
Sadly, he has met a lot of challenges. Little sweet bungalows are going for many thousands over asking price, only to be torn down and replaced with a home no young, first-time buyer could ever purchase. I hate to see young people not be able to raise a family in the best community in St. Louis. If you are ready to upgrade or enter a new era of life, call me, my young son and his future wife and kids will cherish your small, sweet home and neighborhood, making memories similar to the ones three generations of my family keep!
Cassie Campbell Wichlenski
Kirkwood
