Costs keep rising, business owners tell Davids, pointing to ‘reckless’ US tariff policies, Iran war
August 5, 2026 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, speaks with the media outside The Shops of Prairie Village; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Despite sourcing products from local artists, makers, designers, and manufacturers, Made In KC isn’t immune to the challenges presented by tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, Keith Bradley shared.
“We are part of a global supply chain in one way or another, from the glass that the local BBQ sauce or local candle is poured in, to the coffee beans the local coffee roaster uses,” the Made in KC co-owner told Startland News. “All these prices have increased around us and on us as a byproduct of tariffs. Additionally, the supplies needed to run our business, from shipping boxes to paper goods and many other things, have all increased in their price as well as the result of tariffs.”
Bradley was among a handful of business owners who on Wednesday had an opportunity to share such concerns with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas. The congresswoman, who on Tuesday defeated Democratic challenger Sarah Preu in a party primary vote, made a stop at Made In KC’s Corinth Square location in Prairie Village during a tour of small businesses potentially impacted by tariffs.
RELATED: Sharice Davids to face former Shawnee city leader Eric Jenkins in November general election
“When vendors pass on price increases to us caused by tariffs, we have to increase our prices on those items to maintain a margin that allows us to operate a healthy sustainable business,” Bradley explained, noting challenges he shared with Davids.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, speaks with Keith Bradley, co-owner of Made in KC, inside the retailer’s Prairie Village shop during a portion of the Davids’ tour that was closed to the media; photo courtesy of Sharice Davids’ Office
The 3rd District legislator also visited with owners of the Learning Tree and Casa Ama during her Main Street Stroll in Prairie Village.
Brett Goodwin, co-owner of The Learning Tree, discusses the impact of tariffs on his Prairie Village toy store with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, during a portion of the congresswoman’s tour that was closed to the media; photo courtesy of Sharice Davids’ Office
“When tariffs hit local favorites like toy stores and craft shops, it’s Kansas families who end up paying the price at the register,” Davids echoed. “Some of what we’ve been working on in my office is trying to address the reckless tariff policies.”
The ripple effects of higher tariffs have hit Kansas hard, Davids’ office said, driving up costs for families and threatening small businesses and farmers. According to estimates, average American households will pay roughly $2,500 more this year because of these policies, and small businesses lost 4.5 times more jobs in 2025 than in 2020 during the pandemic.
Local industries — from agriculture and manufacturing to retail and restaurants — have faced higher costs for imported goods, forcing some businesses to raise consumer prices, cut jobs, or close entirely.
“The tariffs have had a significant impact on the state of Kansas,” Davids explained, “whether it’s the ag sector — which is a huge sector in Kansas — or a toy store that isn’t sure what they’re going to be able to afford as they go into their busiest season at the end of the year.”
Tariff refunds are starting to come through, she noted, but it’s not easy for small businesses to access them.
“We see the biggest corporations in the country getting tens of millions of dollars of refunds when a small business doesn’t have a team of lawyers to do all the paperwork to get those refunds,” Davids continued. “That’s a real issue and a big disconnect that we need to address.”
“Our local shops shouldn’t be forced to choose between raising prices on neighbors or cutting jobs while big corporations with fancy lawyers get easy refunds,” she added.
Davids is pushing to make these refunds automatic for small businesses, she said, so owners get immediate relief and can keep prices down for the community.
“We have some legislation that we’re working on to try to make sure that we’re cutting down the red tape,” she explained.
Tariffs weren’t the only concerns small business owners discussed with Davids, she shared. They also emphasized the stress of rising costs in general. For example, higher gas prices directly impact shipping costs for restaurants like Casa Ama, which led by the chef and founder behind Billie’s Grocery.
“That’s something that people are really feeling squeezed about,” she continued. “They are trying to make sure that they are able to provide the good food that people are coming in for in a way that isn’t making it impossible for them to stay in business.”
At Made In KC, Bradley said a boost in sales from FIFA World Cup traffic helped the store to ride out and survive higher all-around costs this summer.
“Unfortunatley, the increase in sales is temporary, but the increase in our costs of goods is long term if not permanent,” he added.
Davids said she’ll encourage leaders in Washington to back year-round ethanol, which can be 15 to 30 cents cheaper a gallon at the gas pump. The idea is broadly supported by the Trump Administration as a way to mitigate the impact of U.S. military action in Iran, which has pushed up domestic gas prices. (Opponents note ethanol causes more air pollution when burned, leading to existing federal limits on available blends.)
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, discusses rising costs outside The Shops of Prairie Village; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“Those are the kinds of things that all of us should be focused on,” Davids explained. “How do we make sure that life is more livable, that it’s less stressful and overwhelming for people?”
Local small business owners also expressed concern about affordable healthcare options for their employees, she noted, assuring them that she is working to get ACA tax credits back.
“Gas, groceries, healthcare, every single thing feels like it’s getting more and more expensive,” Davids said. “The only people right now that seem like they’re doing better are the billionaires. It’s coming at people from every direction.”
Bradley said he was extremely appreciative of the opportunity to speak to Davids about such issues.
“Small and local businesses are what make communities unique and special and unfortunately they often get overlooked in macro-economic policy,” he continued. “Getting to share our experience with our local representatives who have a voice and seat at the larger table is important not only for the health and longer term viability of small and local business, but also for our communities which they are tied to.”
The realities of rising costs need to be heard by leaders in Washington, said Davids, emphasizing the reasoning behind Wednesday’s Prairie Village business tour.
“It’s especially true when I’m hearing from people like, ‘I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing. I’m getting up. I’m going to work. I’m taking care of my kids, and it doesn’t matter how hard I work, I can’t seem to get ahead,’” she said. “That’s a real problem and it’s a real stressor.”
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