New news: This KC shop makes the sold-out hats for Kelces’ popular podcast; now you can find even more merch in store
December 16, 2023 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Sandlot Goods is taking its new retail space in Leawood to new heights, shared Garret Prather, announcing an in-store exclusive: a partnership that allows Sandlot to locally carry gear from Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast in its shop.
Sandlot Goods at Park Place in Leawood; photo by Sandlot Goods
Just in time for the last-minute holiday rush, the opportunity offers the perfect gifts for the 92%ers — and maybe Swifties — in Kansas City, said Prather, vice president of strategic partnerships for Sandlot, noting the skyrocketing popularity of the headline-grabbing professional football players — among Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles fandoms and beyond — along with the boosted appetite for their brotherly podcast this season.
Click here to learn more about the podcast.
Sandlot — Kansas City’s only local hat manufacturer — scored the distribution deal with Homage, an Ohio-based sports and pop culture apparel maker, for its store at Park Place, 11530 Ash St., after a “slow burn” year developing a trusted relationship with the complementary brand.
This fall, Sandlot, one of Startland News’ Startups to Watch in 2023, started making the New Heights hats for Homage, Prather said, but the apparel is normally only available on Homage’s website.
“It was really just them trusting our relationship and our partnership to be able to do that,” he continued. “We’re super stoked.”
RELATED: Sandlot Goods takes a swing at a brick and mortar
Sandlot Goods at Park Place in Leawood; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Homage and Sandlot are similar operations, Prather noted.
“We feel like we’re two businesses that are trying to do the right thing — going the right direction when it comes to a vintage feel and working with license — and just kind of striving to be that,” he said. “We’re not the multibillion-dollar brands that you have today with names X, Y, and Z in the license world. So It feels like a nice tie in with them.”
“But then also the authenticity of the Kelce brothers being from Ohio and Travis Kelce is now here,” Prather added. “It just felt like a natural thing.”
Sandlot’s relationship with Homage started early in 2023 when founder Chad Hickman and Ryan Vesler met at a trade show for licensing in Las Vegas, Prather shared.
“Ryan ended up visiting in the spring and looking at how we could potentially work together,” he explained. “What I appreciated was it was a slow burn of us figuring out if we had a good connection, just as far as values, what we’re looking to do, the vibes of the company. So I can’t speak for Ryan and Homage, but we’ve really enjoyed it.”
New Heights podcast hat by Sandlot Goods
At the beginning of this football season, Sandlot started making the New Heights hats, which are currently sold out online through Homage, but Prather noted they are working quickly to restock.
“It was awesome for them to entrust us with doing that because it was really taking off at that time, even more so,” he said. “Knowing and understanding everything that surrounds this podcast — to me, now, it’s beyond a sports podcast. It’s a cultural podcast.”
People appreciate the authenticity of the New Heights podcast, he continued.
“They’re talking about football, but so much of life gets talked about in it,” he added. “These are just two regular human beings who also love their mom, give shit to their dad, and it’s hilarious. … I feel like people are into the podcast as much as we are ourselves at Sandlot. So hopefully they see (the New Heights gear) as a great holiday gift and unique, especially for this season.”
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Brands from Poio to Made in KC booked for new airport; $1.5B expected through the gate over 15 years
Local and minority-owned vendors selected to operate shops in Kansas City’s new airport terminal are more than up to the task, said Carlos Mortera, emphasizing the power of adding flavor to the highly anticipated project. “Most airports aren’t filled with local businesses,” noted Mortera, founder of Poio Mexican Barbeque. “We in Kansas City, I feel…
Erkios confirms KC headquarters moving to St. Louis; gears up for 2022 product launch
While vendors for Erkios Systems were shut down during the pandemic, Sean Null and his team got busy learning the necessary skills to keep their startup going, he recalled. “We were doing a lot of the work on our own; so when the world started moving again, we were prepared. Essentially, we were able to…
Sustainable style: Pop-up jewelry maker adds final touch of flare through zero-waste designs
Everything in Adrianna Stranak’s life seems to happen a bit haphazardly, she said, laughing. “When I started making jewelry, creating a business was not my initial goal,” shared Stranak, who teaches kindergarten in Kansas City, Kansas. “For me, I wanted these earrings that I couldn’t afford, so I made them!” As Stranak continued designing and…
How $90K from Fountain Innovation Fund could help Azella reach 10,000 financial advisors
David Roberson grew up watching his mother struggle with financial management, he shared, noting his family’s stresses could have been alleviated with the help of a financial advisor. Combining his passions for digital marketing, web development, SEO, design and financial literacy, Roberson founded the marketing firm Azella — named for his mother. “Azella is a…