Shop small: Five finds at Made in KC to help creators survive a ‘make or break’ holiday season

Editor’s note: Startland News explored the Made in KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops.

A trip to Made in KC means a majority of every dollar spent recharges the local economy, Keith Bradley said, detailing reasons to shop local as an unusual holiday season approaches. 

Keith Bradley, Made in KC

“At Made in KC, 90 cents of every dollar spent in our stores stays in the local Kansas City economy, recirculating over and over again,” added Bradley, co-owner of the local retailer which now boasts seven locations and counting. 

“This is a stark contrast to national chains, where the majority of money spent leaves our city, and even to locally owned stores — not selling locally made goods — where only 60 cents on the dollar stays in KC.”

More than money, the store provides opportunities for makers and creatives — and in 2020, they need more support than ever before, he added. 

“We exist solely because of the amazing work of the nearly 250 artists, makers, and other small businesses we carry. Made in KC creates the opportunity for more Kansas Citians to support and shop local.”

As more Kansas Citians shop local, opportunity generates, giving artists and makers an even bigger platform to produce and thrive within metro communities. 

“Small businesses like ours — and the over 250 others represented in our stores — need you, Kansas City, more than ever,” Bradley said of the obvious challenges facing small businesses in the COVID-era and the importance of a shopping season that accounts for some 35 percent of Made in KC’s annual revenue — a make or break season for small businesses. 

Click here to find a Made in KC location near you or here to shop online.

The 2020 holiday season will look and feel a lot different, he continued, but Made in KC and its staff are up to the challenge of navigating its course. 

“If there is a store, artist, or restaurant that you love, then you’ve got to shop there this year — this holiday season — if you want it to be around next year. Small businesses are one of the key cornerstones to any community and they need your support now more than ever.”

Five picks to support makers

The Startland News team selected a handful of products from within Made in KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit to showcase the variety of Kansas City-made or designed gifts available for purchase.

The Bunker MOD KCMO beer can glass at Made in KC Marketplace Lee’s Summit

The Bunker MOD KCMO beer can glass — $12 

This retro-mod beer can glass from The Bunker offers a 16-ounce, full-wrap, four-color, screen-printed glass that overflows with Kansas City pride. 

Click here to learn more about The Bunker or here to shop online. 

KC hat by Sandlot Goods at Made in KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit

Sandlot Goods hats — $49

The only truly Kansas City-made hat in production boasts an all-wool design with a genuine leather strap. 

Available in-store only. Click here to learn more about Sandlot Goods or here to shop other items.

Loyalty KC at Made in KC Marketplace Lee’s Summit

Loyalty KC ‘Mahomes For The Holidays’ sweater — $56

The magic of Christmas meets the magic of Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes with the Loyalty KC “Mahomes for the Holidays” sweater that simultaneously celebrates the season and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Available in-store only. Click here to learn more about Loyalty KC or here to shop other items.

Wee Woodworks at Made in KC Marketplace Lee's Summit

Wee Woodworks at Made in KC Marketplace Lee's Summit

Wee Woodworks at Made in KC Marketplace Lee's Summit

Wee Woodworks wall art and trinkets  — up to $50

Launched in the weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs’ historic Super Bowl win, Wee Woodworks produced intricate, colorful, layered woodworks for hanging in various sizes or trinkets such as magnets and ornaments. 

Click here to read more about Wee Woodworks or here to shop online.

EB and Co. earrings at Made in KC Marketplace Lee’s Summit

EB and Co. earrings — $18

On a mission to help customers feel stylish and confident, EB and Co. earrings are inspired by real, hard-working, and diverse women and those who identify as women. Click here to read more about EB and Co. or here to shop online.

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn