KC to the World pop-up market: MADE MOBB opens its doors to small biz vendors feeling shut out by World Cup

Not every small business could afford a seat at Kansas City’s World Cup table, so the metro’s premiere streetwear shop is pulling up a few extra chairs, said Mark Launiu.

Crossroads crowd favorite MADE MOBB is transforming its storefront 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday into a free pop-up market — dubbed KC to the World — featuring 10 local vendors who otherwise might have missed the opportunity to connect with thousands of visitors pouring into the city because of the cost, time commitment or other constraints, explained Launiu, co-founder of the business.

From jewelry and artwork to flowers, food and wellness products, the event is designed to give entrepreneurs a chance to put their businesses in front of a global audience, no tournament credentials required.

Union Station visitors file into the City of Entrepreneurs marketplace on June 27, a date which saw more than 10,000 potential shoppers venture through the Grand Hall; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

“A lot of people with small businesses are priced out or don’t have the opportunity to get their message out,” Launiu said, reflecting on the five-week-long FIFA World Cup and the crowds of travelers and locals who made their way through the Crossroads and Midtown. “We’re close to Union Station, located in the Crossroads, and I feel like we’re at a prime location. I just wanted to share our space with people, so it’s free.”

MADE MOBB has been a staple at the City of Entrepreneurs’ marketplace at Union Station throughout the international soccer tournament, but the team quickly recognized not all small businesses were getting the same World Cup experience.

RELATED: Meet the designer behind City of Entrepreneurs’ bold look at Union Station and beyond

The additional pop-up market idea came together in less than two weeks after Launiu posted an open invitation on social media. What started as a simple offer quickly turned into a community effort.

Alex Harris, shop manager for MADE MOBB, chats with First Friday shoppers in June in the 221 Southwest Blvd storefront where space was opened to multiple vendors inside and outside the store for evening; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Giving new businesses their shot

More than 60 vendors reached out hoping to participate, leaving Launiu with the difficult task of selecting just 10.

A crowd of MADE MOBB fans packs into the brand’s Southwest Boulevard parking lot for a June First Friday community event featuring other streetwear brands, makers, food vendors and performers; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Instead of filling the market with familiar faces, he intentionally looked for businesses outside his usual circle. (MADE MOBB regularly hosts wildly popular First Friday events with local makers, apparel brands, and other vendors, as well as welcoming special vendor fairs tied to cultural and community gatherings.)

“I’ve never met these vendors in real life, and honestly, I’d probably never even heard of some of them,” said Launiu. “I wanted to work with people I’d never worked with before, and I’m very excited for them.”

One specific conversation stuck with him. A vendor shared that they had explored official World Cup opportunities but ultimately couldn’t justify the cost.

“We called (our pop-up market) ‘KC to the World’ because of the World Cup, but also because it’s Kansas City’s small businesses that make Kansas City special to the world,” Launiu explained.

The market will feature a wide variety of businesses, reflecting the city’s entrepreneurial spirit as much as its creativity, he said.

“They’re all different. They’re so diverse,” said Launiu. “That’s what I’m excited about.”

MADE MOBB’s KC Cup collection of World Cup-inspired jerseys and accessories takes center stage within the storefront this week, but much of MADE MOBB’s retain display area — including this one — can be quickly relocated for events like Saturday’s KC to the World pop-up market, providing ample space for outside vendors; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Community is the main event

Shopping is only part of the experience Launiu hopes people take home. He wants visitors to discover the stories behind the products and the entrepreneurs behind each booth, creating connections that last longer than a weekend tournament.

“I hope people see the diversity that these vendors bring,” said Launiu. “Each vendor has such a cool story.”

That same sense of connection has already been on display inside MADE MOBB, where international visitors have stopped in throughout the World Cup, often relying on translation apps and unfamiliar payment methods to make purchases.

“It’s making us learn,” said Launiu. “It’s cool to see us have so many more customers from outside the country now.”

ICYMI: Here’s where to find that viral Argentina jersey (and more must-have KC-made merch)

Members of the MADE MOBB crew share a laugh with the co-owners of Café Corazón — the winner of the 2026 Small Business of the Year award — after the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration; photo by Alex Villalobos-MCAnderson

The overwhelming interest in the pop-up has also planted the seed for future events. Although this weekend’s market came together in about a week, Launiu said he’d like to keep creating opportunities for new groups of vendors long after the World Cup wraps up.

“We’re grateful for FIFA and what it’s done for Kansas City, but mainly for all the small businesses,” said Launiu.

Sharing the space, he added, has always been bigger than business. That’s a concept that helped earn MADE MOBB a spot among the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Top 10 small businesses in 2026 — and ultimately the KC Chamber’s 2026 Small Business Spirit of Inclusion Award.

RELATED: KC Chamber honors MADE MOBB for wearing its values on the streetwear brand’s premium tees 

“It’s about community,” said Launiu. “We’ve always stood on that since we started. What’s the point of doing all these cool things if you don’t have a positive impact?”