Oak Park Mall wants local makers shut out by Painted Tree’s closure to find new home alongside national retailers

Oak Park Mall is stepping up to offer local entrepreneurs displaced by Painted Tree Boutiques’ closure the opportunity to recover and get back on their feet, shared Karla Rocker Engel.

The window at the now-closed Painted Tree Boutiques, 8500 W 135th St, Overland Park; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

In the wake of the abrupt mid-April shuttering of the Painted Tree brand’s boutiques nationwide — including those in Overland Park and the Northland — without warning to the makers, the Overland Park mall is now offering flexible retail options designed with small businesses in mind, such as weekend pop-up spaces, short-term leasing opportunities, and long-term storefront options.

For years, Painted Tree created a space where independent vendors could showcase their products, connect with customers, and grow their businesses in a shared, community-driven environment, said officials from Oak Park Mall in a statement. Its closure is now bringing renewed attention to other available retail hubs.

Oak Park Mall in May 2026; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Made in KC store inside Oak Park Mall; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Made in KC already operates a retail store in the mall and Charlie Hustle is planning to open its own Oak Park storefront Friday.

ICYMI: Charlie Hustle preps Oak Park Mall store as new owners evolve brand to fit Houston, St. Louis markets (and the world)

“Supporting small businesses has always been part of Oak Park Mall,” explained Engel, who serves as senior general manager for the mall, a staple in Overland Park since 1974. “Over the years, we’ve offered weekend pop‑ups, kiosks, carts, and even short‑term storefronts for local entrepreneurs.”

“We know shoppers love discovering local makers,” she added, “and at the same time, much of our traffic is driven by well‑known national brands. Our goal is to bridge that gap by giving local businesses the opportunity to tap into that built‑in audience and benefit from the incredible foot traffic our mall generates.”

Jennifer Humphrey — local leasing and advertising coordinator for Oak Park Mall with CBL Properties — is the coordinator for the mall’s small business pop-up programming and is fielding inquiries from interested makers. Engel and Humphrey said they’ve received several inquiries and are actively in conversation with vendors.

Click here for more information about opportunities and to contact Humprey.

“Much of that discussion centers on finding the right option that aligns with each business’s brand, goals, and schedule, since flexibility is often key for small business owners,” Engel noted.

Local makers are already well received by shoppers at Oak Park, Engel noted.

“Our weekend pop‑ups, in particular, give businesses exposure to thousands of visitors in a single day, which is incredibly valuable for brand awareness,” she continued. “We consistently receive positive feedback; not just from customers who enjoy the unique offerings, but also from the business owners themselves.”

For new vendors, Engel said, the mall offers a welcoming, fun, and diverse community.

“Our store managers and business owners genuinely support one another, and that collaboration helps create an inviting atmosphere throughout the mall,” she explained. “Oak Park really is a gathering place that reflects the many communities we serve.”

Although Oak Park’s local business program runs year-round, with the World Cup right around the corner, now is a great time for local small businesses to take advantage of the opportunity of an influx of both visitors and local shoppers, she noted.

“The World Cup is expected to significantly boost our already busy summer season, with projections of approximately 2.3 million visits between June and July,” she added.