Made in KC

Chase McAnulty, Charlie Hustle

‘A Super Bowl for small business’: Chiefs’ back-to-back playoff success scores for apparel makers 

The Chiefs’ Sunday-night victory over the Buffalo Bills not only means Kansas City’s return to the Super Bowl, but a repeat opportunity for local small business owners amid a rush of hometown pride, said Chase McAnulty.  “When the Chiefs won [in 2020], we were fighting as hard as we could to get as many blank…

Brian Roberts, The Black Pantry

Pop-up shop for Black-owned essentials plans its final 2020 stops; only the beginning, founder says

Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. Kansas City’s lack of a centralized shopping hub for products from Black-owned businesses frustrated Brian Roberts, he said, prompting the entrepreneur to launch…

Made in KC Marketplace illustration by Elyssa Bezner

Shop small: Five finds at Made in KC to help creators survive a ‘make or break’ holiday season

Editor’s note: Startland News explored the Made in KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops. A trip to Made in KC means a majority of…

Only made in KC: Sandlot Goods revives iconic ‘KC hat’ with 25-step, felt-to-field production

The classic, Baldwin-style KC hat is back in the game — boasting a newly drafted team of makers and a modern twist on its otherwise traditional look, Sandlot Goods announced.  “With most major hat manufacturers moving their production overseas, there is a space and a need for a classic, American-made ball cap,” said Chad Hickman, founder…

Jackie Faltermeier and Adison Sichampanakhone, Ice Cream Bae

Ice Cream Bae serves up first storefront; menu of food concepts already sprinkled across KC

A colorful mix of childhood cereals, Eastern Asian-inspired flavors and Instagrammable cones set Ice Cream Bae apart from other ice cream shops in Kansas City, said Adison Sichampanakhone and Jackie Faltermeier.  “We put extra attention into detail with every cone because customers are coming here for an experience, so it has to look perfect,” said…