MADE Mobb

Vu Radley and Mark Launiu, MADE MOBB

Culture made First Fridays life-changing, duo says; now MADE MOBB is bringing back the block party

MADE MOBB is reopening an era of live music and local vendors Friday — hoping to revive a Crossroads tradition silenced when its community was forced to disconnect and retreat indoors. “Come outside, baby!” Mark Launiu exclaimed ahead of Friday’s MADE MOBB Block Party. “Enjoy some free vibes [from] the people you’ll meet, the relationships…

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…

Arrowhead tee by HyperKC

Tees for touchdowns: 21+ ways to wear your Kansas City Chiefs pride while shopping local

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl — seeking to replicate last year’s post-season success at the Feb. 7 big game in Tampa, Florida. And while an ongoing pandemic will limit the number of fans who can travel to the championship matchup, hometown brands and retailers are working to make sure the Chiefs…

Rich Dunfield, Native Hemp Co.

Jack pot: Native Hemp Co. opens storefront in Lee’s Summit, surviving potent hits

An empty space with an open-minded building owner in downtown Lee’s Summit became the perfect spot to fulfill Native Hemp Co.’s potential, said Rich Dunfield. “God always has a plan,” he said. “This [location] is better for my life. I live out here; my family’s out here. I like how we’re brand new, and I…

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…