Fund Me, KC: ULAH asks Kansas City to help save Westwood menswear store as pandemic debt looms
July 7, 2025 | Startland News Staff
Startland News is continuing its long-running “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like menswear retailers and trendsetters Joey Mendez and Buck Wimberly — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially gain backing from new supporters.
The campaign is wholly led by the entrepreneur and not affiliated with or endorsed by Startland News.
Buck Wimberly and Joey Mendez at ULAH, 4707 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood; courtesy photo
Who are you?
We’re Joey Mendez and Buck Wimberly, life partners and co-owners of ULAH, a lifestyle boutique located in Westwood, Kansas. For nearly 9 years, we’ve curated apparel, gifts, and accessories, but more importantly, we’ve built a space where people feel seen, supported, and connected.
What does your campaign hope to accomplish?
We’re hoping to save ULAH from closure by giving our community the opportunity to help us rebuild and come back stronger. We’ve launched a GoFundMe as our last chance to stay open, recover from pandemic-related debt, and continue doing what we love, creating community through style, events, and storytelling.
Click here to watch a video announcement for the campaign on Instagram.
What’s your ‘why?’
ULAH has always been about more than just retail. It’s a space where we’ve hosted live concerts, Pride block parties, fundraisers, and pop-ups for local brands. We’ve loved supporting others over the years, and now we’re humbly asking for support in return. We believe Kansas City needs places like ULAH, spaces that reflect authenticity, creativity, and community.
How much do you hope to raise with the crowdfunding campaign?
Our goal is to raise $280,000.
How do you plan to use the funds?
The funds will help us:
- Pay down vendor debt and restock our curated inventory
- Cover essential operating expenses during recovery
- Reinvest in marketing to reconnect with our community
Anything else our readers should know about ULAH or this effort?
We know it’s a lot to ask, and we don’t take it lightly. But we also know that if enough people chip in, even just $20, we can reach our goal. ULAH has always been about lifting others up. We’ve made mistakes, we’ve learned a lot, and now we’re ready to rebuild the right way. We just need a little help to get there.
Click here to explore ULAH.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
White Castle invented sliders (and the playbook for fast food); then the Kansas-fried chain vanished from its home state
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. For more stories like this one, subscribe to A People’s History of Kansas City on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. The White Castle chain began in 1921…
DevStride founder finds himself ‘locking arms with frontline customers’ in bid to catch their mistakes early
Implementing and monitoring complex software cycles is a tedious process, Phil Reynolds said, which is why he and his team are working to drive better project management principles and improve outcomes through their software solution. “We are really trying to transform the way that teams go about implementing and managing agile software development cycles. Our…
Deep Rooted plants new store at busy Troost shopping hub; Here’s how the streetwear brand is growing
A Kansas City streetwear brand is extending its roots on the city’s east side, said owner Donnell Jamison. Deep Rooted — which Jamison launched in 2018 out of the trunk of his car — has a new home in the shopping center at Troost Avenue and Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. “We just want to be that…
‘More than a thrift store’: Goodwill’s efforts to close digital divide sell an expanded mission — upskilling workers
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories focused on digital inclusion efforts in Kansas City, and is presented by Google Fiber. Ron Carr’s retirement made him restless, he shared. Wanting to be a valuable player in Kansas City’s economy once again, Carr enrolled in Goodwill’s Digital Skills Training program. “With…