Mid Coast Modern closing Westport shop, relocating Bear Soap brand to west coast
May 28, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
After nearly a decade as a local retail staple, Mid Coast Modern is closing, founder Matt Bramlette confirmed.
The Westport Road gift shop — which opened in 2015 and supports makers/artists and indie businesses — is expected to shut its doors at the end of the month.
Matt Bramlette, founder of Mid Coast Modern, Bear Soap Company, Soap Bar, in June 2020; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Sales have declined since the pandemic — especially after losing foot traffic from nearby restaurant The Corner closing in March 2020, said Bramlette, who also owns Bear Soap Company. That brand’s popular products — from body soaps and bath bombs to beard balms and toilet bombs — are crafted in-house and sold online, in Made in KC stores, and other retail locations.
“It was definitely a battle to keep income with so many external factors that we had no control over,” he explained.
Bramlette’s Bear Soap Company will continue on, moving with the founder to California in the coming months. His venture Soap Bar, which heavily featured the Bear Soap brand, closed in June 2022 when Bramlette consolidated his Westport storefronts into Mid Coast Modern.
Bramlette loved creating the Mid Coast Modern space — its soon-to-close storefront is also dealing with window damage from a deadly shooting in Westport over the weekend — and making it a unique destination for shoppers, he said.
Mid Coast Modern, May 2024; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“I liked the hunt for interesting products and helping small brands flourish,” Bramlette noted.
He’ll miss the employees and customers who have become like an extended family, he said.
“We made lots of friends with customers and it was a joy when people would say it was their favorite shop,” he added. “I’ve lived in KC my whole life and have great connections and many good friends and family here.”
On Instagram, Bramlette also noted he’ll miss working with local makers.
“KC has a lot of creative spirit and we wish success to all of you,” he posted. “Please keep supporting local and keep small businesses alive. It’s where the personality of a city lives.”
Upon moving to California, Bramlette plans to operate production spaces in both Kansas City and California.
“I expect new opportunities to arise out West,” he said.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Events Preview: Global Entrepreneurship Week
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW GEW is packed full of events for entrepreneurs of every stripe. We’ve hand-selected the events geared towards tech, early-stage businesses, education and…
KU football player’s tech startup scoring early success
Austin Barone didn’t begin playing football until his sophomore year after he transferred to St. Mary’s Colgan. He was disappointed to learn the school didn’t have a soccer team, so he turned to being the kicker for Panther football. A life-long athlete, he picked up the sport quickly and moved to the University of Kansas…
Meet Kansas City’s new chief innovation officer
After a six-month search, the City of Kansas City, Mo., has found a candidate to lead its various tech and innovation initiatives. Kansas City hired Bob Bennett, a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army, as the city’s second-ever chief innovation officer and will begin leading the City of Fountains’ various tech operations in January. Bennett…
Kansas City to kick off global celebration of entrepreneurship
A week of entrepreneurial jubilation is on its way to Kansas City. Global Entrepreneurship Week, the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators, will bring dozens of programs to the area for entrepreneurs of every stripe. Kansas City joins hundreds of cities in more than 140 countries around the world that are participating in…