Video: Made in KC expands footprint, mission to cultivate creativity

Made in KC — which carries in its stores everything from locally made barbecue sauce and candles to coasters, prints and T-shirts — is opening new locations at 11th Street and Baltimore Avenue downtown, and at 509 E. 18th St. in the Crossroads.

The downtown space is set to debut Dec. 1 with a few features customers might not expect, said Tyler Enders, a co-owner of the business. The store will include a coffee shop showcasing local roasters in front, and a taproom in the back serving all local beers, he said.

A peer-to-peer Made in KC Marketplace, which launched in May, allows the company to broaden its community-based platform to less-established brands, he said. Describing the marketplace as being like Etsy, but specific to Kansas City, and cleaner than Craig’s List, Enders said the portal is moderated by Made in KC to make sure vendors maintain requirements set by the company.

“Right now, we get a really steady trickle of purchases, which is great,” he said. “It’s really opened our eyes to certain products that we said no to for our stores. If we realize they’re doing really well in the marketplace, we bring them in.”

Learn more about the company with the video below.