Latest Stories

Hallmark adds holiday spirits to its lineup, merrying brand with iconic Tom’s Town tastes

A festive first-of-its-kind collaboration between Hallmark and Tom’s Town Distilling Co. is bringing a whole new meaning to the spirit of the holidays. Just in time for Christmas, the iconic Kansas City brands have teamed up to deliver a limited-edition collection featuring three releases — a sampler gift pack with 200 ml bottles of double…

10 years of local goods (and showing love on our made-in-KC sleeves)

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Keith Bradley is co-owner of Made in KC, a brick-and-mortar and online retailer of locally made goods with neighborhood, marketplace and cafe locations downtown, on the Country Club Plaza, in Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, and across the metro. “We do not love Kansas City because it…

Missouri releases $33M+ in federal funds to MTC to support startups, small businesses

A second tranche of federal funding allotted through the Biden-era American Rescue Plan Act is expected to help economic development leaders target stronger small business growth, expand access to capital, and support high-growth entrepreneurship across Missouri. More than $33 million is being deployed to the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) via the State Small Business Credit…

Enduralock validates its prototype in zero-G simulation, edging closer to future on-orbit missions

The successful completion of form, fit, and function testing for Lenexa-based Enduralock’s OneLink satellite docking connector marks a critical leap forward for the hardware, said Dr. Harold Hess — earning his Kansas City-built technology a ticket aboard future space launches. “By proving the hardware’s soft docking and self-alignment capabilities work in a simulated zero-gravity environment,…

Peek in Tap Ins: This mini golf concept replaces windmills and trick shots with 100 TVs and Joshua trees

Ryan Patton’s drive to find the perfect hometown spot to entertain his four children — teens and a tween — left the Leawood dad in a sand trap. Finding less than ideal options, Patton pulled out the biggest wedge he could carry — taking a swing with a massive $15 million golf entertainment complex in…

Icorium earns $1.2M SBIR grant; CEO Kalin Baca honored as 2025 Enterprising Innovator 

A just-announced infusion of federal grant dollars is expected to help a Lawrence startup scale its breakthrough technology from pilot validation to a full commercial process — boosting efforts to dramatically reduce the climate impact of refrigerants used in air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration systems. Icorium Engineering Company on Wednesday released details of a…

Off to a goo start: Step into the primetime slime experience now oozing into Union Station

Taking the idea of handmade slime from the home kitchen to Union Station required more than a simple recipe, the women behind the new all-ages experiential venture said. Their biggest challenge in taking the popular kids activity to the masses: the complex planning and design needed within the iconic Kansas City venue. Rainbow Slime Co….

Ready to bet big? Kansas wants to help entrepreneurs win more federal innovation grants

Kansas innovators now have access to a new tool designed to help them compete for major federal funding. The Kansas Department of Commerce has opened applications for the state’s SBIR and STTR Matching Program, which provides financial support and hands-on guidance for entrepreneurs pursuing federal innovation grants. The matching initiative is part of ACCEL-KS, a…

New Maker of the Year: Why this mom’s side hustle for the girly girls couldn’t stay at home

A hobbyist venture that began with making shirts for her kids has earned Julie Swopes a spot on Made in KC’s shelves for her Chiefs- and Royals-inspired tees — along with one of the local-first retailer’s top honors: KC New Maker of the Year for 2025. “I’m just a stay-at-home mom that has turned her…

Don’t be a stranger: When this Crossroads refuge closes, another chapter begins for Afterword (and the space it leaves behind)

This cozy corner hotspot where patrons leisurely bond over drinks and good reads — the popular Crossroads third-space isn’t finished telling its story.